Virgin 1 moving on Sky

I noticed on DS that VirginMedia is shuffling its channels around on Sky's EPG to allow a better position for Virgin 1.

Clicky

I'm surprised, however, that VM haven't taken the opportunity to rebrand some of their other channels. Perhaps:
Bravo to Virgin 2
Challenge to Virgin 3
Bravo 2 to Virgin 4

It would seem sensible if they are trying to reinforce the brand. Although I could understand them leaving "LIVING" and "LIVING2" alone as they have quite an established identity (and a higher place on Sky's EPG).

I like the idea, although I think Challenge would be better left alone as that works better as it's own brand I think.

It would probably give them an opportunity to rebrand Bravo to Virgin 2 and ditch Bravo 2 completely, as i've never really seen the point.

I've never liked the idea of +1 channels being so far away from their original channel. Very awkward IMO.

I think it is about time we had a +1 button on the sky remote. Either that or what about a reorginastion and putting the +1's in the 200's so UKTV Gold+1 would be at channel 209, Living+1 212 etc..?

Ideally you'd have the timeshift side by side but because the lower down the EPG the more attractive the slot you often get a massive random gap between the two.

In this case it would have made more sense to have Bravo 2 on 125, then Challenge and Challenge+1 together on 153/154 - but as you say, that pushed them down the EPG.

Wasn't there also an idea of the plus ones going onto four digit numbers a thousand higher than the originals?

At least it would be easy to remember if Channel Z was on 123, then Channel Z plus one would be on 1123.

That was certainly being talked about before the radio channels moved to four digits.

Whilst its a good idea unfortunately I don't think it could work technically. Lets say you wanted BBC1 which as we know is on 101, if you push 0 then it looks for a four digit combination but by putting a 1 first then it would need to complete a four digit combination, how would it combat the plus 1 equation or not?

Totally agree Brekkie. I suppose it depends on the actual viewing figures, but with such small percentages it's difficult to see much difference:
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© BARB - December 2007

No point me starting a new thread for this but I see MTV Flux has gone in favour of MTV One +1.

It was announced last month - keep up Russ!

It was quite prophetic that MTV announced the closure of their "user-generated channel" just as BBC Three announced their new idea at a press launch.

Random question which perhaps nobody should admit knowing the answer too, but what was the first "+1" channel in Britain?


Also, how common are they abroad. I know in Australia they're generally "+2".

ISTR that Discovery was the first to launch a +1 on SkyDigital.

I think that's more to keep up with the different time zones in Oz, so that those on the West Coast get the same programmes in peak time. Viz:

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