Virgin Media- A decdicated film channel

Martin85

Why has Virgin Media TV not got its own dedicated film channel which would be free to all subscribers on the XL package. Virgin do seem to be lagging behind Sky.

penrhyn

I may be wrong but doesn't Virgin buy in all its programming, I don't think it is a programme maker in its own right.

Nilrem

penrhyn wrote: »

I may be wrong but doesn't Virgin buy in all its programming, I don't think it is a programme maker in its own right.

Also getting worthwhile* film rights tends to be very expensive and time consuming, especially as the likes of Sky tend to already have exclusive contracts with most of the studios for new releases, and usually older films are also tied up in contracts.
IIRC it's not uncommon for a broadcaster to have a deal for say 5 years with a Film distribution group for the rights to huge swathes of their films under certain conditions (an example of that is say the Bond films, Sky made sure they had exclusive rights to most of them in HD for the 50th anniversary).
For example Sky have pretty much all the mainstream film distributors tied up for new release on subscription TV**, the BBC, ITV, C4 all have deals with certain distributors for certain parts of their catalogues, Film 4 deals mainly with smaller distributors and content they've helped fund.

VM basically don't run any content channels now, from memory they sold off their in house channels/the channels they had shares in because they needed the money and running them wasn't making them much.
Instead they've chosen to put more emphasis on the things that they can do that other companies have much more trouble doing - things like On Demand which VM can do far better than other broadcasters (the simple fact they can deliver it to their subscribers without affecting the users internet speeds is a big thing, as is the integration between the STB and billing system to let you buy the content).




*Ones that will be a draw for customers and make you a profit.

**And there was a bit of a fuss because Sky were also at one point buying up the rights to free to air, and on demand for films purely as an anti competitive spoiler to stop anyone else being able to get those rights, basically so that you had zero choice if you wanted to see films on TV from some companies you had to go Sky (either directly, or via Sky movies on VM), as at the time pretty much none of the infant on demand suppliers could afford to fight for rights that Sky wanted regardless of what Sky did with them.

[Deleted User]

Martin85 wrote: »

Why has Virgin Media TV not got its own dedicated film channel which would be free to all subscribers on the XL package. Virgin do seem to be lagging behind Sky.

Sky don't have a dedicated film channel free to subscribers either. Film4 and TCM are available free of separate subscription on both platforms. Sky's own movie channels are premium subscription only.

Virgin is in no position to offer their own film channels and actually sold their portfolio of general entertainment channels to Sky!

There was a cable exclusive film channel some years back which offered third rate movies with a less than VHS quality picture and sound. It was not a success and was closed down.

Buzby

They tried it with the Virgin 1 channel - that failed and is no more. Why you want them to try again when nothing has changed? Indeed, Netflix has now joined the party, and that will be available via TiVo shortly.

[Deleted User]

Buzby wrote: »

Netflix has now joined the party, and that will be available via TiVo shortly.

Not free of course; subscription only.

Helix

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Not free of course; subscription only.

Should be free for 6 months for XL customers, they accidentally leaked that onto their signup pages a few weeks ago.

[Deleted User]

Helix wrote: »

Should be free for 6 months for XL customers, they accidentally leaked that onto their signup pages a few weeks ago.

They are probably still "negotiating" that...

VisionMan

Sky basically want to wipe the floor with everyone where film rights are concerned. And as others have said, VM are no longer a channel or content provider. So they have to buy whats on offer from others. A la Netflix.