Yeah, but just saw the UKTV chief and Virgin chief on TV and the Virgin bod asked the UKTV bod on air can you at least say on air right now that we can have the free channels that are available everywhere else? And the UKTV guy said no in so many words.Isn't it something to do with on demand content? Either way, it damages Virgin Media and their TV offering. It's ironic though as Virgin Media used to have a 50% stake in the company.
Because there is a dispute over the price Virgin need to pay for the chargeable content, UKTV have thrown their toys out of the pram and said right, we are denying you access to ALL the channels, including the free ones.
Bottom line is, the free ones are free everywhere. You don't have to pay for them. How can Virgin be denied access to free channels?
Yeah, but isn't it a bit like a kid saying I don't want to play with you anymore, but I'm taking the ball away too.By paying UKTV's asking price for its chargeable content .
Free to everyone else though. That's the key factor.There’s no mystery. Virgin want the chargeable elements and the seller distributed them as a package including the free terrestrial ones - it’s within its rights to withdraw all and I’d do the same
Free to everyone else though. That's the key factor.
Have no problem with the withholding over the pay to view channels, but the other ones are free to everyone else anyway.
Indeed. Not being denied the ccontent as it's, well... free,Not like anyone with Virgin can't watch those channels, just stick an ariel in the back of your TV or watch them for free online.
No, not missing the point, Dave. All I am saying is I agree with Virgin in asking to be allowed the 5 FREE channels WHILE they negotiate the new deal.The key point you're missing here is that the channels you are saying are free are sold by Virgin as part of a package. Technically that doesn't happen with any other service. You can get them free via Freeview, Freesat (so no Sky subscription needed), BT, Talk Talk or pretty much any other service without paying a subscription.
Virgin are now saying to UKTV they don't want to pay a similar amount to past deals. UKTV have said no. Its their product and totally up to them. No reason they should give it away to Virgin to sell on.
Not like anyone with Virgin can't watch those channels, just stick an ariel in the back of your TV or watch them for free online.
No, not missing the point, Dave. All I am saying is I agree with Virgin in asking to be allowed the 5 FREE channels WHILE they negotiate the new deal.
No deal, withdraw the lot.
'Hold something back?' Is that the layman's term for blackmail.'Uktv needed to hold something back while Virgin have tried to force through their wishes ( not the wishes of virgins customers) now we have to suffer the new rubbish and a free sports channel for two months and no doubt after two months they will try to charge for that. I am waiting till tomorrow and will try to break my contract and move to sky
'Hold something back?' Is that the layman's term for blackmail.'
The Virgin chief this morning asked the UKTV chief live on air if as a goodwill gesture he would at least allow Virgin customers access to the 5 free channels for the time being while they try and thrash out a deal and the UKTV chief said no.
Is that the truth, or just an assumption?As a gesture of good will virgin be reducing my bill no they won’t be.
Virgin have obviously been negotiating this for months and have thought pushing it to the last second will get a better deal and it hasn’t worked.
Is that the truth, or just an assumption?
So if UKTV provided those 5 channels free of charge to Virgin Media you would be able to access them via a Virgin Media without paying a subscription?No, not missing the point, Dave. All I am saying is I agree with Virgin in asking to be allowed the 5 FREE channels WHILE they negotiate the new deal.
No deal, withdraw the lot.
So if UKTV provided those 5 channels free of charge to Virgin Media you would be able to access them via a Virgin Media without paying a subscription?
Because you can’t currently and that’s my point. The only way to get free channels via Virgin is to pay a monthly subscription.
I tend to whittle while I work.So, Virgin Media customers can now only receive maybe 190 channels instead of 200?
Perhaps it's a good opportunity to rely less on the tv and spend more time on pastimes and perhaps take up a hobby such as basket weaving or whittling?
That's commendable Otis.I tend to whittle while I work.
No, everything I've been carving ends up looking like a big penis.That's commendable Otis.
Can we expect to see say a replica model of Highfield Road anytime soon?
Yep, agree. The only one I do really watch is Dave. I like Taskmaster and Dave Gorman.I didn't know this was happening until Saturday as to be honest we never watch Dave, Alibi, etc. We tend to watch Gold but only really at Christmas. So, although this doesn't really impact my TV viewing I'm a little annoyed as they shouldn't be taking channels AWAY and still charging us the same. At least they should keep the free-to-air channels. I have sympathies with boths sides in this, but they have to sort it out or I'm off back to Sky after five years.
You can stream it on TV Player:How do I get the Freeview channels without an aerial? I looked at Sky and save a few quid with the BT sports channel added
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