General : Coming Soon to Virgin Media TV (2016) Vol 2

[Ddonald2016]

Originally Posted by passingbat

If the latest content is your priority, Sky has always been the place to be.

Would you launch a non-4k box at this point in time? No provider would be that stupid (well, except for Apple; but they'll just fleece their fanboys for a 4K version down the line )

Just because they don't have 4K content now, doesn't mean that they won't have within the lifetime of the box.

No but come on to launch it will no content apart from material that requires further subscription. Now I do agree it needs to be 4K but to charge extra for a box that doesnt have anything 4K to show is wrong, at least throw in Netflix, if not what's the point

---------- Post added at 09:13 ---------- Previous post was at 09:11 ----------

Originally Posted by passingbat

If the latest content is your priority, Sky has always been the place to be.

Would you launch a non-4k box at this point in time? No provider would be that stupid (well, except for Apple; but they'll just fleece their fanboys for a 4K version down the line )

Just because they don't have 4K content now, doesn't mean that they won't have within the lifetime of the box.

Also l think virgin have done good with how far we get with sky, but sky 1 and sky living content in 4K not much to ask for the monthly box fee

---------- Post added at 09:15 ---------- Previous post was at 09:13 ----------

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

Well, the V+ only had the BBC HD channel for years before any more joined (which wouldn't have cost VM anything in carriage costs).

VM made it clear that they were in no hurry to adopt 4K ages ago

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/article...pt-4k-ultra-hd

Yeah but due to the success of sky q and the fact sky q wasn't out then makes the article non relevant. Sky q wasn't meant to launch till last 2016 but they changed it

[theone2k10]

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

In fairness to VM:
- Neither BT nor TalkTalk has announced any plans for YouView to distribute content to mobile devices.
- VM remains the second strongest TV platform content-wise behind Sky. Neither BT nor TalkTalk has caught up on it content-wise but have had several years in which to do so.

BT already has a bt tv mobile app.

---------- Post added at 10:56 ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 ----------

Originally Posted by denphone

That is the way l see it and it ain't going to be changing anytime soon Andrew.

I don't think so, i know BT are investing heavily into tv with rumours of their own entertainment channel surfacing too.
BT certainly have the funds to go head to head with SKY for content rights and live sport.
VM will just sit back and leech from other providers, nothing wrong with that imo just good business why pay hundreds of millions for content when you can get a deal with the likes of SKY,BT etc to carry their content.
This could however backfire on vm if SKY and BT suddenly decide they don't want anyone else carrying their content then it's game over for VM tv wise, however this is unlikely to happen but VM are falling behind both SKY and BT already have 4k content and devices out, not sure if talktalk do.

[Media Boy UK]

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

The next programme on Channel 100 will be a UEFA Champions League football match between Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic on 1/11/16 from 19:00 until 22.00.

After that, channel 100 will show a UEFA Europa League group K match between Sparta Prague and Hapoel Be'er Sheeva on 3/11/16 from 20:00 to 22:00.

Does anyone know if these matches will also be in HD?

V+ HD says the Celtic game will be in HD on Channel 100.

As of today V+ HD goes up to Tuesday night at midnight.

---------- Post added at 11:00 ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 ----------

Originally Posted by theone2k10

I don't think so, i know BT are investing heavily into tv with rumours of their own entertainment channel surfacing too.
BT certainly have the funds to go head to head with SKY for content rights and live sport.
VM will just sit back and leech from other providers, nothing wrong with that imo just good business why pay hundreds of millions for content when you can get a deal with the likes of SKY,BT etc to carry their content.
This could however backfire on vm if SKY and BT suddenly decide they don't want anyone else carrying their content then it's game over for VM tv wise, however this is unlikely to happen but VM are falling behind both SKY and BT already have 4k content and devices out, not sure if talktalk do.

How many good channels are we missing?

80% of channels only on Sky look poor.

[Richc1977]

Originally Posted by Media Boy

V+ HD says the Celtic game will be in HD on Channel 100.

The next sport in HD on ch 100 is the Aviva Rugby on Saturday

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by Media Boy

How many good channels are we missing?

80% of channels only on Sky look poor.

Precisely. We are only really missing out on Sky Atlantic and ITV Encore.

Virgin Media will close the gap with Sky through the launch of the new eos box and then with more apps such as Amazon, together with VM original on demand content, which will be easier to access with the additional tuners.

Reports of Virgin Media's demise are greatly exaggerated. Sky fanboys, please calm yourselves. Nobody knows for sure at this stage how much UHD content there will be on the V6 at launch so we should not be talking Virgin down on that score.

[denphone]

l think too many have been getting lessons from our own Victor Meldrew on this forum.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by theone2k10

BT already has a bt tv mobile app...
VM are falling behind both SKY and BT already have 4k content and devices out, not sure if talktalk do.

BT's app doesn't allow you to watch recordings and all channels in the same way as EE TV and Sky Q do they?
TalkTalk doesn't offer 4K TV. In fact, it only offers the Sky channels in SD not HD.

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Precisely. We are only really missing out on Sky Atlantic and ITV Encore.

Virgin Media will close the gap with Sky through the launch of the new eos box and then with more apps such as Amazon, together with VM original on demand content, which will be easier to access with the additional tuners.

Reports of Virgin Media's demise are greatly exaggerated. Sky fanboys, please calm yourselves. Nobody knows for sure at this stage how much UHD content there will be on the V6 at launch so we should not be talking Virgin down on that score.

But these apps you talk about aren't inclusive with a VM package you are paying more for them so Virgin Media are giving you access on the box no more no less.

[1andrew1]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Precisely. We are only really missing out on Sky Atlantic and ITV Encore.

Virgin Media will close the gap with Sky through the launch of the new eos box and then with more apps such as Amazon, together with VM original on demand content, which will be easier to access with the additional tuners.

Reports of Virgin Media's demise are greatly exaggerated. Sky fanboys, please calm yourselves. Nobody knows for sure at this stage how much UHD content there will be on the V6 at launch so we should not be talking Virgin down on that score.

Spot on! Sky Atlantic is a good channel but ITV Encore is a non-event.
Despite 4K functionality, BT TV is extremely weak on content by not offering the full Sky Sports portfolio, the Sky Entertainment channels and Fox.

[OLD BOY]

I've just taken a look at my recordings, and I now have only 11 from the non premium Sky channels, and not all of them are up to the quality I would expect. By far, the most good programming is coming out of the terrestrials at the moment, and given this does make me wonder about whether it is worth paying as much as we do for them. If it wasn't for Fox and the documentary channels, I would seriously think about cutting my losses. I am certainly tempted to just take Now TV (Entertainment and Movies passes), Netflix and Amazon, and just taking the minimum package of channels from Virgin.

Virgin are right to be thinking of concentrating on the quality on demand/apps side of things rather than new rubbish broadcast channels, but monetising this is a challenge.

[Tricky Trevor]

I'm amazed Fox News hasn't launched yet with the American elections being a couple of weeks away.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by Tricky Trevor

I'm amazed Fox News hasn't launched yet with the American elections being a couple of weeks away.

And l cannot see it arriving before then.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by muppetman11

But these apps you talk about aren't inclusive with a VM package you are paying more for them so Virgin Media are giving you access on the box no more no less.

No, but as discussed previously, having all your apps on one box is very useful (as long as it isn't slow, of course). If you then procure additional apps that are not available elsewhere, and also keep adding to the on demand menus, there you have your exclusivity.

---------- Post added at 11:56 ---------- Previous post was at 11:54 ----------

Originally Posted by Tricky Trevor

I'm amazed Fox News hasn't launched yet with the American elections being a couple of weeks away.

Maybe they are waiting to see if Trump News launches. That would be far more entertaining.

[theone2k10]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Precisely. We are only really missing out on Sky Atlantic and ITV Encore.

Virgin Media will close the gap with Sky through the launch of the new eos box and then with more apps such as Amazon, together with VM original on demand content, which will be easier to access with the additional tuners.

Reports of Virgin Media's demise are greatly exaggerated. Sky fanboys, please calm yourselves. Nobody knows for sure at this stage how much UHD content there will be on the V6 at launch so we should not be talking Virgin down on that score.

No fanboys just facts VM leech of other companies, i've always said it VM made a huge mistake selling living, bravo etc imo they had a very strong bargaining chip with those channels and i will say one thing for VM they treated those channels a lot better than SKY have.
The fact remains if SKY and BT decide that they no longer wish vm to carry their channels once the contracts are up then VM tv will become very poor, it's unlikely to happen but never say never.
If you think the new tivo is gods gift to tv you're in for a very rude awakening.
However i hear there will be offers available on the new tivo from launch to rival SKYs offers on skyq.

---------- Post added at 12:55 ---------- Previous post was at 12:51 ----------

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

BT's app doesn't allow you to watch recordings and all channels in the same way as EE TV and Sky Q do they?
TalkTalk doesn't offer 4K TV. In fact, it only offers the Sky channels in SD not HD.

Never used it mate tbf but i can verify that the online tv from bt does not allow you to view recordings infact it has no on demand either which is a pretty poor show from BT, but with BT investing heavily in their tv this is most likely to change in the near future one thinks.
Talktalk i think they're finished tbh not even worth talking about them anymore lol,.
There will be 3 big players in the tv market in this order one thinks SKY, VM and BT in the long run.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by theone2k10

No fanboys just facts VM leech of other companies, i've always said it VM made a huge mistake selling living, bravo etc imo they had a very strong bargaining chip with those channels and i will say one thing for VM they treated those channels a lot better than SKY have.
The fact remains if SKY and BT decide that they no longer wish vm to carry their channels once the contracts are up then VM tv will become very poor, it's unlikely to happen but never say never.
If you think the new tivo is gods gift to tv you're in for a very rude awakening.
However i hear there will be offers available on the new tivo from launch to rival SKYs offers on skyq.

---------- Post added at 12:55 ---------- Previous post was at 12:51 ----------



Never used it mate tbf but i can verify that the online tv from bt does not allow you to view recordings infact it has no on demand either which is a pretty poor show from BT, but with BT investing heavily in their tv this is most likely to change in the near future one thinks.
Talktalk i think they're finished tbh not even worth talking about them anymore lol,.
There will be 3 big players in the tv market in this order one thinks SKY, VM and BT in the long run.

I don't think it is right to describe VM as 'leeching' off other companies, theone. People who watch pirated material are leeching. Virgin Media pay for the material they broadcast to their subscribers quite legitimately, and this is Liberty Global's strategy. You don't need to own channels to get the content you want.

However, there is a problem with exclusive deals that restrict some content to specific providers, and unless there is future legislation to prevent this from happening, Virgin's only defence is to acquire exclusive content of its own. Again, it does not need to actually own channels to achieve this.

Virgin could change their strategy to compete directly with Sky in this way if they wanted to. Remember that when Sky withdrew its channels from us, we very quickly found Virgin 1 coming to our screens, and the same could happen again. John Malone is busily acquiring interests in quite a number of content providers, of which Lionsgate is particularly interesting, and I wouldn't underestimate cable's ability to put up some impressive rival channels at short notice if needs be. I would be surprised if a contingency plan was not already in place.

There are a lot of moans from VM TV customers at present, mainly because of the slow Tivo and the lack of Sky Atlantic. The V6 is poised to resolve the slowness issue and Sky Atlantic is solvable. However, if VM make the decision not to acquire Sky Atlantic, then in my opinion it needs to go all out to acquire as much exclusive quality content as it can lay its hands on.

Sky has major problems of its own to look forward to. They are unlikely to get a new exclusive HBO deal given the new strategy being adopted by that company and when existing rights with film studios are due to expire, they will be going head to head with some big players, such as Netflix and Amazon. Additionally, rights to the football premiership cannot be guaranteed for long, with increased competition being brought to bear from other players with deeper pockets. Malone's strategy is a pretty good one when seen in this light.

I do agree with you that the three big players will be Sky, Virgin Media and BT into the future, but I don't see Virgin falling behind BT.

As for the V6, I don't believe the adverse comments that we are hearing from detractors who don't know any more than the rest of us. I think it will be a good alternative to Sky Q, although whether it will be better we will find out when it is launched.