Stream - can you skip or ffwd adverts?

[stukey]

Hi,

I’ve reviewed VM’s website and scoured the internet and can’t find a definitive answer to this question… On the VM Stream box, can you fast forward or skip adverts within streamed TV shows, specifically on the bundled Essential Entertainment channels (e.g. Sky, Alibi, etc.)?

And what about fast forwarding / advert skipping on Freeview channels? Is that possible or are you forced to watch ads? Do you watch the shows natively within the Stream or does Virgin just push you over to the relevant channel’s app?

Thanks

This is possible on Sky Stream (although they do charge for it).

[japitts · Accepted solution]

My understanding is..

For programmes sourced from VM's in-house VoD, then advert skipping is possible. When programmes are viewed on a broadcaster's branded app, advert skipping depends on them but generally - no, this is one reason why broadcasters prefer their proprietry apps.

For live TV channels, albeit delivered over IP - you can't fast-forward a live feed. The stream box doesn't have any recording functionality to allow pausing.

[Stan1950]

If you can't stand advertising as is the case with me, then don't watch programmes as they are being broadcast. Record them so you can at least fast forward over them when viewing the recording.

[iXNine]

This is the VM Stream forum. Programmes can't be recorded.

[japitts]

@Stan1950 

Appreciate this is your first post on the forum, but you've added to a thread 8months old. As already mentioned, the VM Stream box is a non-recording streaming only platform.

You're probably thinking of the TV360 recording box, for which discussion is found at https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Virgin-TV-360/bd-p/Virgin_TV_360 

[Stephen93]

I’ve had VM Stream for 6 months, love it, you can run through adverts if you add them to your Watchlist from the tv guide & when you do it lists all the episodes for the programs, you can FFW, RWD  & pause Live tv on all channels, Dave,  Sky channels, ch4 & ch5, I subscribe to Itvx premium & all4 so don’t get adverts, 

[eximi]

The ITV channels don't let you fastforward after pausing the live broadcast. You get the message "Sorry this channel doesn't let you do that".

ITV 1 HD
ITV 2 HD
ITV 3 HD
ITV 4 HD
ITV Be HD

The trick to get around that, though it's a bit of a faff is to press the TV button on the remote which then skips to the end of the buffer (back to the live position), where you can then rewind to the position you want (e.g. after the ads), but if you go too far, you obviously can't fastforward so you'd have to do it again if you need to.

However the ITV +1 counterparts do let you fastforward after pausing.