Virgin media HD sports channels/all HD channels

poet123

To cut a long story short we switched to Sky last year and I find it inferior to Virgin cable. Our reason for moving was purely the availability of HD channels. However, I understand that Virgin now have HD channels too.

So, can anyone tell me whether the number of HD channels now available on Virgin equals that on Sky.

We take the top package on either provider. If Virgin have caught up with Sky in this respect we will be back to them like a shot!!

Thanks for any help given.

fitshase

Sky have more HD channels than Virgin.

Tropez

Sky have 53 HD channels with Sky Atlantic HD launching next month to make 54. Virgin currently have 29 HD channels and currently I don't believe there is any confirmation that they will be carrying Sky Atlantic in either SD or HD format, if that matters.

Virgin's HD channels on their highest package do not require an extra subscription charge, unlike Sky.

poet123

Thanks for that.

Maybe it is the detail of which they have rather than the number which I need to consider. We would want all the sports/movie channels in HD and the terrestial channels. Who watches 53 channels? what does the Sky Atlantic channel carry?

roddydogs

Yes they do, its £7pm extra if you want Movies and SS 1 &2 in HD. and its B.Annoying you dont get SS3, or Sky arts in HD.(post3)

poet123

At least ESpn is in the packages, it is £9 pcm extra with Sky.

Tropez

poet123 wrote: »

Thanks for that.

Maybe it is the detail of which they have rather than the number which I need to consider. We would want all the sports/movie channels in HD and the terrestial channels. Who watches 53 channels? what does the Sky Atlantic channel carry?

I'm not 100% clear on the content that Sky Atlantic will be showing but I do know that it is being marketed as the home of HBO due to a deal Sky made with HBO to broadcast most of their library, past and present. To my knowledge, this is going to include re-runs of HBO's major shows such as 'The Sopranos' and the vast majority of future HBO output.

I don't believe Sky Atlantic will be broadcasting nothing but HBO content as I have heard that some of the shows that were previously on the channels Sky recently shut down (such as Bravo) will likely be moving to Sky Atlantic.

But for now, it depends how much you enjoy HBO shows as to whether Sky Atlantic is anything that requires consideration.

poet123

Thanks for that, what does HBO stand for and which progs belong to it?

ncfc1902

poet123 wrote: »

Thanks for that, what does HBO stand for and which progs belong to it?

HBO = Home Box Office.
http://www.hbo.com/

Virgin Media Channels, including HD
http://www.virginmedia.com/customers/pdf/electric-channel-guide.pdf

davemurgatroyd

roddydogs wrote: »

Yes they do, its £7pm extra if you want Movies and SS 1 &2 in HD. and its B.Annoying you dont get SS3, or Sky arts in HD.(post3)

You also don't SS4 in HD

From Virgin's own site

Sky Sports 3, Sky Sports 4,
Sky Movies Premiere +1, Sky Movies Classics and Disney Cinemagic are only availble in standard definition.