[DarthFader]

I think Sky should offer maybe just the SD version for Virgin and other cable companies. As others say it would potentially double the reach which would make advertisers and Blackberry happy.

PJ

[martine93]

Originally Posted by DarthFader

I think Sky should offer maybe just the SD version for Virgin and other cable companies.

Not going to happen anytime soon IMO.

[alcockell]

However, if it DID fairly wholesale the channel, then the upstream content creators would get a bigger chunk..

Of course... if Project Apple ended up finding against Sky, we might end up with Thrones going onto BBC2... well i can dream... but GoT on Series Stack on iplayer - now THAT would be something. All over Radio Times, 3-4 million viewers...

[Tom123]

Originally Posted by alcockell

Of course... if Project Apple ended up finding against Sky, we might end up with Thrones going onto BBC2...

Can't see how as it wouldn't mean that Sky wouldn't cease to exist

[ShaunW]

Originally Posted by martine93

Not going to happen anytime soon IMO.

They did do at launch.

[martine93]

Originally Posted by ShaunW

They did do at launch.

For what price though ? We don't the real answer to that.

[OLD BOY]

Originally Posted by porkpie

I think if VM were concerned about Atlantic they wouldn't be increasing prices.

The best things on Atlantic are shows that have already been seen dozens of times but previous screenings on other channels were not edited , out of sequence and with complete episodes missing.

Clearly Sky's expensive purchase has not rewarded them as they expected so I expect in 2 or 3 years Atlantic will fold as the HBO deal ends .

Maybe VM have increased prices because they have finally decided to get us Sky Atlantic!

I don't agree with you about the best things on Sky Atlantic having been seen dozens of times because there have been many new programmes on there that we haven't seen before, the latest being 'Luck'. The daytime schedule is a different matter, however, this may just as well be Virgin 1 programming.

If Sky were worried about a financial reward from Sky Atlantic, they wouldn't have made it exclusive to Sky satellite viewers.

[martine93]

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

Maybe VM have increased prices because they have finally decided to get us Sky Atlantic!

I very much doubt that is the reason.

[martine93]

These are terrible viewing figures.

Publicity surrounding the fifth season of Mad Men, the first to air on Sky Atlantic, promised surprises and unexpected figures. And Tuesday night's episode certainly delivered them: admirers of the series will do an amazed double-take at overnight figures that show only 47,000 viewers tuned in. This level of audience is associated with extreme niche arts, religion or politics programmes rather than a drama that was previewed in almost every available editorial or advertising forum – including this one – in the months leading up to its return.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-rad...ad-for-mad-men

[THOMO]

If Virgin want Sky Atlantic they should be made to pay the going rate whatever it is and Sky shouldn't give it to them on the cheap.
Ian.

[SC03OTT]

I'd suggest that 'the going rate' is indeed over the odds if those viewing figures are true.

[martine93]

Originally Posted by THOMO

If Virgin want Sky Atlantic they should be made to pay the going rate whatever it is and Sky shouldn't give it to them on the cheap.
Ian.

So what is " the going rate " for a channel that has poor viewing figures ?

[THOMO]

Originally Posted by SC03OTT

I'd suggest that 'the going rate' is indeed over the odds if those viewing figures are true.

Sky Atlantic is my favourite channel after the sports and I would get the most money out of Virgin as possible and if they don't pay up, well don't give them that channel.
Ian.

[SC03OTT]

Right. I was hoping for a more intelligent discussion, but oh well. Moving on...

[mersey70]

I have Sky Atlantic and personally think there are some great shows available but the overall ratings of course don't lie.

Given those ratings I suspect Virgin have to weigh up if it is worth it for their average punters.

Make no mistake though, HBO isn't exactly a ratings monster in the US, it never has been.

But if Sky want mega kerching for it then I certainly get why VM wont buckle, I suspect Atlantic will be a Sky exclusive channel for a long time to come.

[BrunoStreete]

Originally Posted by THOMO

Sky Atlantic is my favourite channel after the sports and I would get the most money out of Virgin as possible and if they don't pay up, well don't give them that channel.
Ian.

No-one has any idea what Sky are asking for it. Judging by the terrible viewing figures highlighted it's not that popular, so Virgin obviously aren't in a rush to get it.

[OLD BOY]

Sky are using Sky Atlantic as a loss leader. They don't seem to care that they are making such a loss on this channel because they think it persuades people to get a Sky satellite system installed rather than cable.

I'm not too concerned if that's what they want to do. My concern revolves around the exclusivity deals with the studios which mean that the programmes we want to see aren't available to us. That is not only mean, it is anti-competitive, and the practice should be banned.

When is the Competition Commission going to wake up?

[TelevisionUser]

Originally Posted by BrunoStreete

No-one has any idea what Sky are asking for it. Judging by the terrible viewing figures highlighted it's not that popular, so Virgin obviously aren't in a rush to get it.

Indeed, BrunoStreete, and the BARB figures show that Sky Atlantic has an average daily reach of 622,000 viewers which is way behind the Sky 1 and Sky Living channels and it's a pretty poor showing by any standard. It not so much a flagship channel but a Turkeyship channel.

[derek500]

Originally Posted by TelevisionUser

Indeed, BrunoStreete, and the BARB figures show that Sky Atlantic has an average daily reach of 622,000 viewers which is way behind the Sky 1 and Sky Living channels and it's a pretty poor showing by any standard.

And C4 gets higher ratings for The Simpsons than it ever did for Six Feet Under or The Sopranos.

Your point?

[Jimmy_McNulty]

Originally Posted by nobabydaddy

Having just seen a trailer of Anne Widdicombe hosting a quiz programme on Sky Atlantic, I really do hope VM won't waste their money on what is clearly a pile of sh*t of a TV channel if it's producing this sort of crap...

I agree. I thought SA was for HBO imports, then they go and put this drivel on it loool.

[TelevisionUser]

Originally Posted by derek500

And C4 gets higher ratings for The Simpsons than it ever did for Six Feet Under or The Sopranos.

Your point?

...is that Sky Atlantic is performing pretty badly in both relative and absolute terms so Virgin customers are only missing a dud of a channel and if they particularly wanted to see one specific series then it would be more cost effective to buy the DVD set rather than sign up to Sky to get Sky Atlantic/Turkeyship. Simples, innit?

[gother]

Just a question but what has virgin ever given sky?

[muppetman11]

Originally Posted by gother

Just a question but what has virgin ever given sky?

Squat diddly

[essexsteve]

Originally Posted by gother

Just a question but what has virgin ever given sky?

Lots of cash for the Sky basics sky arts HD ect ect boosted the reach of sky sports and therefore advertising revenue.

Its not all one way don't you know.

[mersey70]

I just think it's a silly discussion, it's pretty clear Atlantic (and SSP3 and 4 HD) are not going to appear on Virgin anytime soon. That's why I left Virgin's TV service, my decision.

Until (maybe) regulation changes things why don't Virgin customers badger their own provider for the many other non BSkyB channels that are probably more likely to be available?

There are quite a few, believe me. And you are certainly paying enough for your services overall.

Don't forget you still have Film4 HD when Sky don't.