February 01, 2010

Eurosport HD launching on Virgin Media in April

Just announced:
We know how important HD channels are to our TV customers. That’s why, throughout 2010, we’re bumping up our HD channels. It all kicks off in April with Eurosport HD, so don’t miss sporting greats like the French Open tennis, Tour de France and European Athletics Championships.
So, no additional HD until April and even then it's just Eurosport HD? That's a big disappointment in my book - I had heard that there were more, but (again) there appears to be little in the pipeline. Whilst I've enjoyed the ESPN Premiership coverage in HD it really pales next to Sky Sports in high def, especially as from next season ESPN will have half as many games (just 23). Eurosport HD boosts that offering a little, but sports fans wanting HD won't be convinced.
And what about movie fans? Film4 HD remains a distant nirvana it seems, but even ITV1 HD would give us at least some more movies and extra footie (FA Cup and Champions League). So how about it Virgin? If you really know how important HD channels are to us customers, how about the HD version of ITV1 at least? Don't we pay enough to warrant at least that?

13 comments:

LewishamLovely said...

very disappointing tv announcements on the whole.

why not seize a bit of initiative virgin and get film4 hd on board as an exclusive?? c4 have already shown with e4hd and sky that they are open to offers!

that way you could shout about having an hd movie channel without waiting for the courts to give you access to sky movies!

it's not exactly rocket science is it?

joff81 said...

i was hoping for more channels but Eurosport HD is a pretty good addition in my opinion especially as i now get to see WTCC and Moto GP in HD.

Unknown said...

Moto GP and World Superbikes in HD, life can't get much better. It's what I've been waiting for. Thank you Virgin (for once).

joff81 said...

world superbikes as well it gets better. Eurosport HD is awesome when it comes to HD motorsports !!!

BikeNutt said...

SBK normally starts around March so we will miss the first meeting or two but MotoGP kicks off with Qatar practice on 9th April.

This years SBK should be more interesting for the Brits now Toseland and Spies have switched.

Nialli said...

Sorry to say that Eurosport HD is a complete non-entity for me. ITV1 HD, History HD, Discovery HD or Film4 HD, should such a thing ever exist, would be my choice.

Erich said...

Great news.

Having already secured HD sports from ESPN, I'm surprised VM didn't make movies more of a priority, to be able to at least pretend to take on Sky's two biggest selling points, but personally, this is the channel I've most looked forward to so, so roll on April.

Unknown said...

I was hoping we'd at least get Discovery HD...

Unknown said...

Another channel I would never watch. Too bad Virgin still seem unable or unable to support HD in any meaningful way.

Afront said...

Pocket-lint covered this saying:

The addition of Eurosport HD signals the "first of several new HD channels due to launch on Virgin Media over the coming months", says the broadcaster, as it tries to rival Sky and Freesat's HD offerings.

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/31240/virgin-media-announces-eurosport-hd

Nialli said...

Saw that in the press release from Virgin Media - a bit too vague really to comment upon.
btw Virgin's HD offering certainly beats Freesat's if you ask me.

Unknown said...

FreeSat does have something of a huge advantage over Virgin though - it's free.

Nialli said...

Sadly the FreeSat HD line up remains just has a reduced bit-rate BBC HD and the almost-a-channel ITV HD. No 4HD, still no word of any more HD appearing on the platform.
I had high hopes for FreeSat but it has evolved very slowly and still doesn't even have the full Freeview line up - no Fiver, Five USA, Dave, Yesterday, Sky 3, Virgin1, Sky News, etc.