Posted 4th April 2007 by Paul
TCM will now be leaving the linear/original Top Up TV channel lineup on the 16th April – not on the 10th April that was previously reported. The MHEG on the Top Up TV channels (when they are off-air) was originally displaying the date for TCM’s removal as the 10th April, but the MHEGs are now showing the removal date as the 16th April. As reported previously – TCM films will still be downloaded to Top Up TV Anytime boxes – it is just the standard channel that is leaving the linear Top Up TV service.
Posted 4th April 2007 by Paul
The Sky Movie channels on Virgin Media EPG have been renamed to coincide with the Sky Movies rebranding. All Sky Movie channels will now require viewers to press the red button and enter a PIN number every time they want to watch any of them – due to them now showing age rated films before the watershed (Sky Family doesn’t seem to need a PIN though). A couple of the channels bring up the PIN entry prompt automatically, whereas the rest show a prompt asking you to press the red button for the PIN box to appear. The downside to having to enter the PIN number for the Sky Movie channels are, now, you cannot bring up the programme information box via the “i” button to find out more about the film you’re watching – the “i” button only works if you press TV to come out of the film, then press “i” for programme information, then – when done – press red again and re-enter your PIN to continue watching the film. (This is the case on my ex-NTL EPG software anyway). Sky Movies 9 remains on the EPG with a “ceased broadcasting” message.
Posted 3rd April 2007 by Paul
TCM will be removed from the linear Top Up TV channel lineup on the 10th April. TCM films will still be downloaded to Top Up TV Anytime DTR boxes, but the channel will cease to exist on the linear channel lineup. This doesn’t leave much left on the original channel lineup – just UKTV Gold, UKTV Style and British Eurosport will remain on the original channel lineup. It appears that Top Up TV may be phasing out the old lineup in favour of more overnight downloads to DTR boxes for Top Up TV Anytime customers. An MHEG on TCM (during downtime hours) tells customers of the upcoming closure of the channel on the linear Top Up TV channel lineup.
Posted 3rd April 2007 by Paul
Virgin Media have launched their new Digital Terrestrial “free TV” service. The new service includes a Virgin Media branded set top box, which plugs into your TV aerial and uses the Freeview system to give you access to all of the standard Freeview channels – including Sky Three, Sky Sports News, Sky News, ITV2, ITV3, ITV4, E4, Film4 and More 4. Along with the “free TV”, customers signing up to “bundle one” will also get broadband speeds (up to 8Mbps – unlimited downloads and free PC security), anytime calls to UK landlines and free activation. “Bundle one” costs £19.99 a month.
The set top box has a Virgin Media branded EPG with 8 day programme listings and the box looks very sleek. Customers who already have a TV packages with Virgin Media can just buy the “free TV” set top box for a one-off payment of £40. For more information please go to the Virgin Media website.
Posted 3rd April 2007 by Paul
According to reports, The Hits looks certain to get axed on Freeview in favour of a new Channel 4 and Emap channel. The Hits looks likely to stay broadcasting on Sky and cable though. We previously reported the news of the new Channel 4 and Emap channel plans here. More news as we get it.
Posted 3rd April 2007 by Paul
Teletext Cars – the Interactive MHEG service from Teletext – appears to have been removed from Freeview. The MHEG now displays a message asking people to go to the Teletext website for the latest deals on cars, etc. The music soundtrack is still playing in the background though. If Teletext Cars has indeed been dropped from Freeview, it may well be to make way for the new Teletext Extra service – an enhanced EPG service for use with certain set top boxes. More news as we get it.
Posted 1st April 2007 by Paul
Not seen those new Teletext relaunch adverts yet? Here’s a taster below;
