JA
It's great that Virgin's got us to the point where the discussion is now "which channels will we be losing next".
NJ
Neil Jones
Founding member
Apparently Quest HD and its catch-up service is on the way and coming to Virgin too, so I don't think Discovery have totally fallen out with Virgin. Yet.
The ITV debate is interesting though, whether ITV itself can be pulled from Virgin due to its PSB status.
The ITV debate is interesting though, whether ITV itself can be pulled from Virgin due to its PSB status.
WH
Whataday
Founding member
I think it's more a case of no one being stupid enough to row with Sky (apart from Virgin itself).
Don't forget it isn't a level playing field: Virgin has just 4m subscribers compared to something like 13m with a Sky subscription
They won't pull ITV, it will be about the other channels. ITV clearly using the Love Island factor to force things their way.
Don't forget it isn't a level playing field: Virgin has just 4m subscribers compared to something like 13m with a Sky subscription
They won't pull ITV, it will be about the other channels. ITV clearly using the Love Island factor to force things their way.
NG
There was a recent spat between Sky and Discovery/Eurosport wasn't there? It was resolved but larger companies can, and do, take Sky on.
Virgin and BT both had issues with Sky restricting access to some of their sports channels which also meant they had to take them on (Sky have to be careful not to abuse their position as both channel operator and platform operator - as they are in a very dominant position that could be questioned if they abuse that position)
noggin
Founding member
I think it's more a case of no one being stupid enough to row with Sky (apart from Virgin itself).
There was a recent spat between Sky and Discovery/Eurosport wasn't there? It was resolved but larger companies can, and do, take Sky on.
Virgin and BT both had issues with Sky restricting access to some of their sports channels which also meant they had to take them on (Sky have to be careful not to abuse their position as both channel operator and platform operator - as they are in a very dominant position that could be questioned if they abuse that position)
JA
Quest HD launched as one of the "replacement for UKTV" channels on Sunday... then promptly vanished from the EPG a day later.
ITV itself indeed can't be pulled, but ITVs 2-4, Be and the HD and +1 versions can.
Apparently Quest HD and its catch-up service is on the way and coming to Virgin too, so I don't think Discovery have totally fallen out with Virgin. Yet.
Quest HD launched as one of the "replacement for UKTV" channels on Sunday... then promptly vanished from the EPG a day later.
ITV itself indeed can't be pulled, but ITVs 2-4, Be and the HD and +1 versions can.
JA
I think what I read over the last week, Sky is more like 10 million than 13. More than Virgin, yes, but Virgin's still got around 40% of the numbers of Sky- which surely would still hurt UKTV, and any other pay TV companies that pull their channels.
Don't forget it isn't a level playing field: Virgin has just 4m subscribers compared to something like 13m with a Sky subscription
I think what I read over the last week, Sky is more like 10 million than 13. More than Virgin, yes, but Virgin's still got around 40% of the numbers of Sky- which surely would still hurt UKTV, and any other pay TV companies that pull their channels.
BM
BM11
I think if any more channels are lost it wont end well with Virgin in terms of keeping customers.
JK
Are Virgin still bothering to cable more areas, because it seems they might be wasting their money if they do, as their television platform is now a disgrace.
Yes, broadband is where they can do better, as they offer, and I use the word offer, higher speeds than Sky/BT etc but their television platform is just terrible.
There needs to be strong leadership on show, and sadly Virgin are left cowering under their boardroom table, whilst at least UKTV manage to drag out one of their executives and have him on their Twitter page trying to explain what has happened.
Yes, broadband is where they can do better, as they offer, and I use the word offer, higher speeds than Sky/BT etc but their television platform is just terrible.
There needs to be strong leadership on show, and sadly Virgin are left cowering under their boardroom table, whilst at least UKTV manage to drag out one of their executives and have him on their Twitter page trying to explain what has happened.
JA
They are cabling new areas, because I drove through one area they were doing last year.
Whether anyone will bother subscribing is another question though.
Whether anyone will bother subscribing is another question though.
KE
The loss of the UKTV channels could have catastrophic knock-on effects for Virgin Media if they don't get reinstated.
If they lose a lot of subscribers, advertising revenues for the remaining channels could decrease as a result of decreasing viewing figures.
With Virgin Media having a lower income from viewer subscriptions, combined with lower viewing figures, there will be less money on offer for other channels, so they could end up losing more channels and viewers, which could end up becoming an unstoppable downward spiral.
If they lose a lot of subscribers, advertising revenues for the remaining channels could decrease as a result of decreasing viewing figures.
With Virgin Media having a lower income from viewer subscriptions, combined with lower viewing figures, there will be less money on offer for other channels, so they could end up losing more channels and viewers, which could end up becoming an unstoppable downward spiral.
LI
I am with Virginmedia and going to wait a couple of weeks - but locked into a contract until April and at the minute watching some UKTV programmes on freeview as I have a aerial - but hate not being able to record. Now I hear ITV may be leaving as well by this weekend. Have been looking into TalkTalk but its the hassle of changing and if I can get out of the contract with Virgin