May 26, 2010

News on Sky HD channels coming to Virgin Media

From MediaGuardian:
"BSkyB is understood to be nearing the conclusion of lengthy negotiations to buy Virgin Media Television's successful channels business...the deal could be finalised as early as next week [...]
"As part of the complex deal to sell Virgin Media TV to Sky, the cable operator is expected to cement a long-term carriage deal. This will ensure it has continued access both to the VMTV channels such as Living, once sold off, but also to BSkyB's premium sports and movie channels and high-definition services. Virgin1 is expected to disappear."

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Great

Sky Sports HD/ Movie's HD

When

Anonymous said...

cable operator is expected to cement a long-term carriage deal.Then when that ends they will double the cost and VM will have nothing to deal with because they sold all there channels to the murdoch`s,So much for VM stating dont need to sell

Krankor said...

Awesome!

Sports n Movies in HD!

lee said...

Interesting the last note, V1 to disappear? Sure, it's not the most amazing channel line-up, but I'm more interested in the political reason - did Sky say you can have Sky1HD, but you're not allowed your own content?!

OLU said...

happy we get to see HD movies and all but not happy cause vm cost may go UP

:-(
and what about the Internet?
cuase Vm is doing a good job in that area

Despondent said...

Just spoken to VM retentions dept as thought I'd now stay with them and bide my time with the upcoming sky sports 1 & 2 before hopefully the movies HD comes online. However they have no idea even when the sports HD will become available saying it could be anywhere between 1 - 2 years!! All the forums imply the sports offerings are imminent - in time for the new premiership season. Looks like the Sky man will still be coming - shame as I'd rather stay with Virgin, but they just don't have the offerings... What's the bet I'll switch and they'll announce something next week!!

Media Boy UK said...

The latest I have on Sky Sports HD launching on Virgin Media is July.

Despondent said...

Hi MediaBoy, can I ask how you come by that date? Do you work for either of the companies? The first retentions person I spoke to a couple of weeks ago implied it was due later this year, but the one I spoke to today after I said I'll stay with VM for the upcoming Sports HD, warning that if I was renewing on that basis that they had no idea when something might move on that front and that it would likely be a long legal process that could potentially last up to 1 to 2 years. He could quite easily have said, yes hopefully (as later this year could be up to 6 months after all) and kept my business, but felt the need to specifiy that they had no idea and ultimately lose my custom.

Media Boy UK said...

@Despondent

I was given that info by one of my Virgin Insiders.

Square eyes said...

Hey Despondant, I can confirm what Media Boy is saying. The sports HD channels will be on before the launch of the football season...

And before you ask the same question

I work for VM

Nialli said...

Expect an announcement (I'm told) next week

Square eyes said...

Nialli, where did you here that? thats news to me, and I here most things before they are announced.

If it is correct, what a result earlier than expected...

Nialli said...

I'm not expecting the service next week, but an announcement is anticipated

Afront said...

BBC1 HD too - yay!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/2010/05/bbc-one-is-going-high-definiti.shtml

available whatever digital television platform you choose