New Channels.

The eleven new channels are the latest additions to VM's FAST channel porfolio which began in August 2023.

Below is an extract from the original <VM press release> 

"The new channels combine traditional TV viewing with streaming, with pre-programmed ad breaks in between set schedules so customers always know what to expect when they tune in. Viewers can enjoy shows they know and love within the format of streamed programming that many have become accustomed to, with no subscription to any of the channels required"   .

The following page may also be helpful in explaining FAST channels

https://www.cordbusters.co.uk/virgin-media-adds-11-free-tv-channels/

These "channels" blur the line between linear broadcast TV & online-only streaming options.

VM had to get particular consent from Ofcom for there to be an EPG holding slot for these services, and the slot just acts as a holding pen for the red-button shortcut - in the same way as the Netflix "channel" or the Prime "channel".

I should imagine these are quite low usage "channels" in the overall scheme of things.

---

regentroad5 wrote:

I've received an email from Virgin telling me that they're giving me 11 extra channels.

They also tell me these channels cannot recorded, rewound, or paused.

Can I ask why not?

The format of the new channels are going to be of little use to me I'm afraid.

---

Streamed channels are cheaper to operate for the broadcaster, & the OFCOM licencing rules are also different. VMs boxes contain digital cable tuners for recording broadcast channels directly from the cable. The new channels are FAST channels that are streamed via your Broadband router from the internet. They therefore bypass the tuner circuitry & cannot be recorded. There is also the question of what the broadcaster has licenced as to what VM can do with the channels. It also stops you skipping the ads.

"Streamed channels are cheaper to operate for the broadcaster".

What about the customer?

VM isn't going to waste precious DVB-C spectrum on low-viewing channels, so far better to stream them on the DOCSIS spectrum. And I'm rather expecting some existing "long tail" channels to be moved to the DOCSIS spectrum (and if someone knows of any cases do let us know).

When I first became a Virgin customer many moons ago, I don't remember stuff like "DVB-C spectrum" or the "  DOCSIS spectrum" being terms I had to be aware of.  

Maybe it's just me. Maybe I'm a bit thick. Or just old.

Briefly, VM has a certain amount of spectrum (not sure of how much but it's over 750MHz), being the range of frequencies within the radio frequency (RF) range allocated to it by OFCOM and previous telecommunications regulators for transmitting signals over its cable network. It's segmented into DVB-C (used for carrying live TV) and DOCSIS (used for carrying broadband, VoD and voice). It's a finite resource*, so VM must manage it carefully. VM's migrating to IP, and thus must use an increasing amount of the DOCSIS spectrum, but still needs to allocate enough DVB-C spectrum for TV even though there are UHD channels now.

* In theory VM could apply for extra spectrum, but OFCOM has several competing alternatives for spectrum.

As above. VM are not licensed to use spectrum because it is not radiated. It is contained within their cables, and if it was not it would interfere with licensed transmissions - mainly broadcast TV.

In theory they could use more spectrum with greater bandwidth, but that would mean replacing equipment, and the technology is now virtually obsolete.

Spectrum has been regulated for decades by varying governmental and regulatory bodies. These days it's OFCOM which is legally required under the Communications Act 2003 to manage the use of spectrum to ensure that it is used efficiently and effectively, to prevent harmful interference and to promote competition and innovation in wireless services. VM is not exempt from this regulation.

Cables can leak RF, so normally VM's spectrum will not be allocated to another operator and vice versa in order to minimise the risk of interference.