VM
Could we please get back on topic and leave the arguing for private messages?
I do not agree with the notion the new Sky Atlantic channel will be "Sky 4 in all but name", the channel will host some of the best American shows that are available. As a Virgin Media customer I am not sure whether the channel will launch on Virgin's platform, but if it does you can bet on me being a viewer.
I do not agree with the notion the new Sky Atlantic channel will be "Sky 4 in all but name", the channel will host some of the best American shows that are available. As a Virgin Media customer I am not sure whether the channel will launch on Virgin's platform, but if it does you can bet on me being a viewer.
BR
Glad to hear that, having had Sky installed yesterday. (And so will the other half, who I don't think found out yet that Channel 4 wouldn't be getting the next series of True Blood, but now need not worry...)
I wonder how many subscribers don't take the variety pack?
True Blood has a life-long series deal with FX, which I think also ensures C4 keeps it to, so Sky aren't getting their hands on it yet. That said for the quality of the show it rates very poorly on C4 - which is actually true of a lot of HBO content. Despite their critical acclaim, not much of it has mass-market appeal.
As for the variety pack, I thought everyone had to take it with Sky.
Sorry to break it to you, but it will just be another terrible Sky channel full of adverts, cross promotion and DOGs if not from day one then at least after 6 months. It will be Sky 4 in all but name.
You're forgetting one crucial thing - the programmes! If you want to talk about channels full of cross promotion and DOGs, look no further than the BBC! (The shows may be ad free, but they sure as hell make up for it with the trailers!)
Reading the small print of that advert
Quote:
*Free to Sky TV customers taking the variety pack. Free to other sky tv customers until August 31st 2011. Sky TV from £19.50 a month for a year. HD Pack £10.25 a month extra. HD Pack required to receive Sky Atlantic in HD.
I wonder how many subscribers don't take the variety pack?
True Blood has a life-long series deal with FX, which I think also ensures C4 keeps it to, so Sky aren't getting their hands on it yet. That said for the quality of the show it rates very poorly on C4 - which is actually true of a lot of HBO content. Despite their critical acclaim, not much of it has mass-market appeal.
As for the variety pack, I thought everyone had to take it with Sky.
Potentially a very strong line up I think.
Sorry to break it to you, but it will just be another terrible Sky channel full of adverts, cross promotion and DOGs if not from day one then at least after 6 months. It will be Sky 4 in all but name.
You're forgetting one crucial thing - the programmes! If you want to talk about channels full of cross promotion and DOGs, look no further than the BBC! (The shows may be ad free, but they sure as hell make up for it with the trailers!)
JO
People are always saying this - but you don't get trailers mid-programme, do you, whereas on commercial channels adverts interrupt the shows. And please don't mention things like IPPs, as commercial channels have these too - often permanently on as part of the channel DOG.
You're forgetting one crucial thing - the programmes! If you want to talk about channels full of cross promotion and DOGs, look no further than the BBC! (The shows may be ad free, but they sure as hell make up for it with the trailers!)
People are always saying this - but you don't get trailers mid-programme, do you, whereas on commercial channels adverts interrupt the shows. And please don't mention things like IPPs, as commercial channels have these too - often permanently on as part of the channel DOG.
ST
The trailers on BBC channels are probably there to 'pad out' the programmes. They try to fit in with the commercial channels, who have programmes which end/start on the hour/half-hour, and last 23 minutes (or therabouts).
BBC also have to consider that the programmes will be sold to their commercial side (UKTV) and have an appropriate length.
I didn't say that - I actually quite like advert breaks. But if the presence of trailers on the Beeb is going to be used to compare it to ad breaks on commercial telly, it would be useful to get a fair comparison.
The trailers on BBC channels are probably there to 'pad out' the programmes. They try to fit in with the commercial channels, who have programmes which end/start on the hour/half-hour, and last 23 minutes (or therabouts).
BBC also have to consider that the programmes will be sold to their commercial side (UKTV) and have an appropriate length.
ST
That's what you left to be inferred, Stuart. I mentioned no free lunch, and you brought up your subscription.
My point remains entirely valid. Advertising covers a proportion of the costs.[
How many assumptions can you make in one sentence...are you going for the record, Gavin?
Read back and appreciate what I said: then go and blog/tweet/burp/yodel your disinformation to others.
Quote:
I don't recall claimnig that my subscription was intended to provide advert-free TV.
That's what you left to be inferred, Stuart. I mentioned no free lunch, and you brought up your subscription.
My point remains entirely valid. Advertising covers a proportion of the costs.[
How many assumptions can you make in one sentence...are you going for the record, Gavin?
Read back and appreciate what I said: then go and blog/tweet/burp/yodel your disinformation to others.
BR
The trailers on BBC channels are probably there to 'pad out' the programmes. They try to fit in with the commercial channels, who have programmes which end/start on the hour/half-hour, and last 23 minutes (or therabouts).
BBC also have to consider that the programmes will be sold to their commercial side (UKTV) and have an appropriate length.
Going way off topic but they do a pretty bad job of that considering most half-hour shows get the full 30-minute airtime and hour shows are usually 58 minute+. Only things like Merlin and Doctor Who seem to be scheduled with the international audience in mind.
Anyway, back to Sky Atlantic and interestingly looking through that press pack all the daytime content is labelled as beginning in "Q4 2011", so I wonder if they're only launching in the evenings initially.
I didn't say that - I actually quite like advert breaks. But if the presence of trailers on the Beeb is going to be used to compare it to ad breaks on commercial telly, it would be useful to get a fair comparison.
The trailers on BBC channels are probably there to 'pad out' the programmes. They try to fit in with the commercial channels, who have programmes which end/start on the hour/half-hour, and last 23 minutes (or therabouts).
BBC also have to consider that the programmes will be sold to their commercial side (UKTV) and have an appropriate length.
Going way off topic but they do a pretty bad job of that considering most half-hour shows get the full 30-minute airtime and hour shows are usually 58 minute+. Only things like Merlin and Doctor Who seem to be scheduled with the international audience in mind.
Anyway, back to Sky Atlantic and interestingly looking through that press pack all the daytime content is labelled as beginning in "Q4 2011", so I wonder if they're only launching in the evenings initially.