Forum Discussion

jhalligan2000's avatar
jhalligan2000
Just joined
10 days ago

Problems accessing BBC IPlayer

We've recently lost access to the BBC IPlayer through our TIVO box. We were told by Virgin Media yesterday that our old box is no longer compatible with the IPlayer and our only option is to start a new contract with a new 360 box plus a new router. There was no warning of this happening from Virgin Media.

Our current router is tied in with a provider connected to our utility bills & land line so we're very reluctant to change the router to suit Virgin Media. We're aggrieved that we're paying £117.90 per month with no access to the IPlayer, which we use almost daily.

Is there anyone else in this same situation?

 

11 Replies

  • jpeg1's avatar
    jpeg1
    Alessandro Volta

    Sounds like another scam by a VM employee to get you to sign up to a new contract. 

    They can replace the old Tivo box with a 360 without a new contract, it might need an activation fee.  Most smart TVs now have a built in iPlayer app.

    They are replacing some old Hubs without charge if they don't meet current safety standards. You don't need a new Hub unless you are upgrading the contract speed. IPlayer works at even the lowest speed. 

    What you are paying sounds far too much for basic services. What else do you use it for? Have you just been accepting their ripoff renewal charges without renegotiating at the end of each contract? 

     

    • jhalligan2000's avatar
      jhalligan2000
      Just joined

      We were told by both a technical person & someone in Customer Services about the only option on offer to us. 

      Yes, I suspect we have been paying far too much for the basic package plus access to the sports channels. We've had the contract for so long it just runs on....

      • goslow's avatar
        goslow
        Alessandro Volta
        jhalligan2000 wrote:

        Yes, I suspect we have been paying far too much for the basic package plus access to the sports channels. We've had the contract for so long it just runs on....

        VM's sales model is based on customers having to renew their service(s) every 18 months in order to get a discounted package price.

        Those who do not renew get stuck with an inflation+ price rise each and every year and that rolls on indefinitely until the customer either renews or leaves. The total monthly payment soon builds up without taking any action.

  • Adduxi's avatar
    Adduxi
    Very Insightful Person

    You should press for a V6 box as it still runs the same TiVo software you are used to.  A replacement Hub should be fine if you set the SSID and password to be the same as the old Hub.

  • goslow's avatar
    goslow
    Alessandro Volta
    jhalligan2000 wrote:

    Our current router is tied in with a provider connected to our utility bills & land line so we're very reluctant to change the router to suit Virgin Media.

    Are you paying a different provider for your broadband and landline and using VM for TV only?

      • goslow's avatar
        goslow
        Alessandro Volta

        That kind of explains the issue. I think the old Tivo boxes only required a VM cable TV connection to work. I think the newest VM TV boxes also require a VM broadband connection to work and the broadband connection can only be from VM.

        I would politely suggest that if you are paying £117.90 per month to VM for TV only then it is time to leave VM and find some alternatives for your TV needs. If you are paying that to VM for TV only that is astronomically expensive.

  • The other alternative if you want to keep your current internet provider and the TIVO box from Virgin Media is to get the streaming services separately from the TIVO box. A bit more hassle, but the iPlayer is on recent televisions, and if not on yours buying something like the Fire TV Stick from Amazon for a one off fee and plugging that into your TV will give you the iPlayer and the other streaming services.

  • japitts's avatar
    japitts
    Very Insightful Person

    We're aggrieved that we're paying £117.90 per month with no access to the IPlayer, which we use almost daily.

    I'm not surprised. The USP of VM's TV services are access to pay-TV channels, and recording facilities. It sounds like you're doing neither of these - if all you want to do is use the BBC iPlayer app, there are far cheaper ways of doing so.

    Recording will generally be a better option than using streaming/OnDemand facilities, given the choice, but that's another debate.

  • Adduxi's avatar
    Adduxi
    Very Insightful Person

    Sounds like a "streaming stick" for iPlayer and a Humax or Manhatten for freeview recording might suit?