Virgin Media

In the end it doesn't really matter if Sky remove their channels from Virgin, they are doing themselves more harm than good.

But this idea that Sky should be broken up to prevent a platform/programme monopoly is ridiculous. The fact that 2 other platforms exist ( DTT and DCAB) negate the argument. This isn't a "Microsoft vs Apple" type issue.

If Sky intend to get greedy and reduce the availablility of their channels then they will simply wither and die (the channels that is). Someone else - such as Virgin, will simply increase spending on their own channels and we will see the reverse of this debacle in about 2 years time.

Interestingly since 2003 Sky have been forced to make their premium sports and movies services available to other pay-TV providers.

I can't see any reason why the same shouldn't apply to the like of Sky One!

But will anyone want to pay to have Sky One?

Sky again trying to get people to complain to Virgin - it be interesting to know how many actually have.


Worth noting too they're not encouraging them to complain to the industry regulator - surely an admission of guilt!

2 years is too long however, as people are switching from Virgin to Sky now. The reality is a lot of people have Virgin just to watch channels such as Sky One, and therefore will switch to Sky, even if it only has 2 or so mixes.

One point I don't think's been raised yet (haven't read all pages), is that if you're a fully fledged TV/Broadband/Phone Virgin customer who wishes to move from Virgin to Sky to get their combined packages, you'll also have to move your phone line to BT (it states in their conditions -"Active BT line required").

In my case this could prove expensive, as I "tidied" up my phone line-boxes a few years ago, so there's no BT line-box in the house at present. If I got a perdantic BT engineer who insisted that, although I still had a span from the Telegraph pole to my house, without a line-box present it would mean a new installation, then I'd have to pay £124 to re-connect!

Is it really worth all the hastle for the sake of a few progs such as 24, Lost etc? I haven't yet caught up watching 24 seasons 3-5, all of which I have on DVD, costing £17.99 each from Play.com - it won't be long b4 season 6 will be available at a similar cost.

I think that Virgin need to hold their ground and not give in to the SKY bullies. When will they be reviewing their costs to Sky for Living, etc?

I will, however, see if I can get some reduction from Virgin by threatening to leave!

Me too. I have my broadband and phone line with NTL (now Virgin) so its just too much hassle for me to change it. Especially as I dont watch those programmes such as 24 on Sky One anyway!

As long as sky don't remove the sports channels i really don't care I'm only really paying for the internet and phone.I hardly watch much tv and if i do it's Either the sports channels,Music channels or EastEnders

Its all hotting up nicely for Murdoch, Darling has ordered Ofcom to investigate Skys' share in ITV.
Lots of people at Ofcom having to do some work for a change

That's the crux of the issue - they've recently been renewed with Sky now paying Virgin just 10p per subscriber rather than the previous 40p - a 75% reduction!

Reports suggest Sky are demanding a 100% increase in what they get paid, though Sky themselves claim the increase is 30% - which is still unacceptable considering how they're doing business themselves.

You dont need a BT phone to use sky - we didnt before we moved house.

Also I beleve Virgin are offering a £6 (or £9) discount for 6 months if the channels leave.

Virgin have got the VOd rights to Lost sesion 3. This will be on the Virgin cental channel which is avaiable to everyone free (I think - but might be wrong)

Yeah but if I got rid of NTL/Virgin to have Sky then id have to get BT instead as I get my phone line via NTL/Virgin.