August 16, 2011

Virgin Media adding five HD channels as part of UKTV deal

Virgin Media customers are soon to get Eden HD, Good Food HD, Dave HD, Watch HD and Alibi HD (once they launch) as part of the UKTV sale:
"Virgin Media has just completed agreements to launch the new HD channels from UKTV. I'm really pleased to say that we'll be adding them to our HD channel line-up as soon as we possibly can. We're still in discussion with UKTV about the precise technical details re timing, but our aspiration is to launch at the same time as Sky or as soon as possible after. " Peter Chapman, Associate Director, Content Acquisition
Virgin Media are also reported to be in discussions with Turner Broadcasting about Cartoon Network HD and TCM HD.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

some good news.....at last..

Idrathepoza said...

Alibi HD would be good - we have just started to watch Body of Proof (think Mentalist meets Quincey)and it would be nice to see it in HD.

Anonymous said...

at last some good hd channels

Unknown said...

As these channels show mostly old (or very old) archive material in SD, I'm struggling to see how broadcasting them upscaled to 1080i is really going to make much difference. I guess Virgin get to claim they have more 'HD' channels.

Meanwhile the puss filled wound that is the lack of Sky Atlantic continues to fester and rot.

Martin_e93 said...

That's the news that i give you. Thanks for putting on your blog.

Martin_e93 said...
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Martin_e93 said...
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BK said...

surely next on the list must be ITV2,3&4???

Krankor said...

tis great news. :)

Allan said...

I have checked http://www.virginmediapeople.com/nps/and there is know where is sugests that Disney HD and Nickleodeon HD is comming

Allan said...

I have checked http://www.virginmediapeople.com/nps/and there is no where that sugests that Disney HD and Nickleodeon HD is comming

campbellg said...

I don't want to sound sceptical about new channels but they're hardly the most exciting.

I'll maybe watch the odd QI or episode of 70's on Dave and Watch but HD isn't exactly going to make much of a difference there.

Eden, Good Food and Alibi, don't watch them at all. Aside from that series with Nathan Fillion do Alibi show any brand new content?

Priority HD channels should be for programmes which are visually stunningly, such as the programming on Sky Atlantic for example, and for sports programming, not endless repeats of panel shows and old comedies.

Darren Taylor said...

How about Sky Atlantic? History HD BIO HD and Sky Sports 3+4 HD? I Believe people would rather have these more popular HD channels not rarely watched HD channels. What about ITV 2,3 and 4 HD? Come on Virgin Media give us the more popular HD channels, not channels purchased on the cheap or for free.

campbellg said...

That's it exactly, we have these HD channels because they are cheap, no other reason. They don't fork out money for decent content and then make excuses when customer numbers drop.

The_Dude said...

I'll echo the sentiments of those wanting 'decent' HD channels that we'll actually watch.

The main ones I want are Sky Sports 3 & 4 in HD. Sky Atlantic HD would also be a bonus!

alan said...

come on vm stop mucking around and give us the popular channels,not the crap ones you get cheap or free and then try and say look whats comeing,sky must be in fits of laughter,on what you present to us,wake up vm

Anonymous said...

Oh for...people need to stop dribbling on about Sky Atlantic. OK. We get the point, lots of people want the channel. I'm fed up of seeing the same petty arguments and comments on every post.

The Anxious Involvement Worker said...

Does anyone know if the Sky getting F1 will mean that Ofcom will judge that Sky Sport 3 and Sky Sport 4 (plus HD) have to be sold to all providers?

Kevin Lloyd said...

Have to say these new channels do not light my fire. I will not watch a single programme on them and there will be very little by way of new, not upscaled content in HD.

The ITV HD channels should be in the firing line (wouldn't watch them very much either but there is some new content and ITV4 has some sport that might be in HD!) along with Eurosport 2 (although I gather there are rights issues involved) and ESPN America.

But (leaving SS3 and 4 and Atlantic to one side) the big gains would come from some channels not currently in HD switching to it - yes, for example, I mean you Cinemoi which is far too expensive for grainy, soft SD but would seem a whole lot more attractive in HD. You know you really want to.

Anonymous said...

if u want sky alantic goto sky.
i am little annoyed that vm hasnt got sky alantic yet. but comon people dont bring it up all the time..

virgin media rocks over sky.

1. tivo box
2.free repairs
3. xl plack includes all hd channels expect premium channels. give virgin some credit.

Roger Mellie said...

When I click on the link I get no info about new HD at all!

campbellg said...

And if you cannot get Sky what do you do to get the best US drama, short of illegally getting it online?

Paying customers have every right to gripe about the lack of content on VM - from where I'm standing Sky is rocking over VM, I'm sad to say.

Martin_e93 said...

the tv logos have been removed. it was a mistake on the website

spudgun055 said...

I agree ITV 2/3/4 HD are the best place to start.

Or lets put it another way look at viewing figures for your SD channels and the onces that fall in the top 10 Non HD go for them ASAP

spudgun055 said...

I see what you mean now, about disney and nickalodean the logo is featured on the HD channels

Looking on the site they have since been removed all logo's or it was doctored for the news link.

PS I am still pleased to be getting more HD but want some bigger channels

Anonymous said...

do you think we will get Disney Cinemagic hd ? just asking

campbellg said...

Wouldn't be surprised, Skywlker, they seem keen to give us plenty of other Mickey Mouse HD channels.

boom boom!