out of contract renewal - how to get information to make an informed choice

[gnome]

Not sure this is the correct place to ask, could a moderator move it if neccessary.

I have an ancient tv package known as Mix TV but the new advertising uses different names, Big Bundle and Bigger Combo Bundle.

Is there a list somewhere that allows me to see what the difference is.

Also, the Big Bundle and Bigger Combo Bundle include a weekend chatter plan, what is this ? does it mean I have to pay another few hundred quid a year for a landline that I don't need or use ?

Is there anywhere that allows me to get actual solid, reliable, factual information about stuff rather than the PR, Advertising bumph on the website ?

Is there anyway to NOT have the landline (I am on fibre so I don't even have a phone line anymore) ?

All I want is cold fact about what is offered so I can make an informed choice.

Thanks

[goslow]

If you are viewing this page

https://www.virginmedia.com/tv

to see the Big Bundle and Bigger Combo Bundle, you have to use the 'Find out more' link to expand the package details and then from the expanded TV section choose the 'See all channels' link to expand to see the available channels

'Weekend chatter' is the default package which gives inclusive calls at weekends. Expand the link 'See call plan details and charges' for more info.

VM's 'bundle' pricing means you will might get lower pricing during the minimum term period by including a landline. The landline is provided via a telephone socket on the back of the VM hub. I believe it is only the newest XGS-PON fibre connections that cannot have a landline phone in the package.

Unfortunately there is a lot of info to plough through and the names are deliberately designed to be confusing and similar-sounding to other/previous package names.

Rather than starting with what VM is offering (which can be confusing) what are the services you actually want?

If you really just want broadband and TV, you might also consider looking at other providers to build your own collection of services rather than try to get a bundle from VM that you may not use to its maximum.

[japitts]

Plenty can be said here...

1; TV comes in two flavours these days - entry-level, broadly Freeview-equivalent, Mixit. And top-tier Mega - familiarise yourself with the channel guide at the bottom of https://www.virginmedia.com/virgin-tv-edit/tips-and-tricks/virgin-tv-channel-guide 

For Mega, read Maxit but remove the TNT Sports channels.

2: Big Bundle, Bigger Combo etc - these are marketing names for a combination of Mixit/Mega + landline telephone + broadband + optional O2 mobile. So you need to check which tier you are with each element.

3: VM operate a multi-bundle discounting system where additional services reduce the per-unit cost of other services. Especially with landlines, it often makes the "with" bundle cheaper than the "without". Unless the mere act of having a landline installed is causing you inconvenience, bear this in mind.

4: A "be aware". When you do come to negotiate a new bundle, CS agents may well try to sell you a "TV360 upgrade". You'd originally posted in the TiVo forum, so from the basics..

TiVo & V6 boxes both run TiVo-software. TV360 is a completely different TV software platform, similar to Apple being completely different to Android. V6 & TV360 both run the same hardware, but a V6 runs the same familiar TiVo software, the TV360 is totally different. Whatever contract bundle you end up with, is available on either a V6 or a TV360 unless it includes Disney+ or Paramount+ subscriptions.

[Zach_R]

Hi @gnome,

Thank you for your post and welcome back to our community forums. We're here to help.

I'm sorry to hear you're having some confusion regarding bundles. If you want to know what channels are specifically including in each respective TV package, you can refer to our Channel Guide which lists them in full.

As for bundles, they'll be listed in full via the My Virgin Media online account when you attempt to make an online upgrade, or a member of the team can discuss what's included with you when you speak with them. Is there any specific bundle you're looking at that you'd like more clarity on?

Thanks,
 

[gnome]

Thank you all for the useful information.

I have had a look at the channel lists and they all seem to be a pdf, so an absolute faff to compare, but I will get there.

I think I want to keep the Tivo or similar as I record a program when I see it is on, I haven't got the hang of streaming as I don't usually know what program I am looking for in order to stream it, and the TV has access to all the streaming services, so I am wondering if I actually need Virginmedia TV, I might consider getting a modern equivalent of a video recorder for recording TV.

I don't understand why I need a telephone line to get the TV offering. I could understand needing one back in the 90s when I had dial up and ADSL but not for TV, which I assume is delivered down the fibre.

Once again, thank you for all the pointers and information, and it seems I have to register a non virginmedia email to my account in order to change the telephone password the customer service people ask for when I talk to them.

Well, it seems spending a wet sunday at the computer is needed.

[Gareth_L · Accepted solution]

Hello gnome.

Thanks for replying.

Regarding the need for a landline, you're very welcome to remove this however the options for new deals may not be as great and can work out more expensive. 

Basically the more services a customer has the better scope we have for bundles.

Sadly from here we're unable to help with package changes, however if you have a Facebook or X account you can reach out to us on the options below.

If you are unsure of the telephone password we can ask alternative security questions. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginmedia/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/virginmedia

Please keep us posted how you get on.

Gareth_L

[gnome]

I am at renewal stage and am a many year customer and I am struggling to even find a list of the tv channels in each package that can be sorted so it can be compared against other things that are available such as vanilla freeview.

Also, why MUST I have a landline to be able to receive a TV package.

I haven't made a landline phonecall for at least 2 years.

and while I am having a gurmble into outerspace, I phoned VM to negotiate and had to provide a password which I set up at least a year ago and used last time I negotiated my renewal.

So, to change the password, I have to go into my account, then to change the password I have had to give virginmedia a non-virginmedia email for security purposes (all my email addresses are virginmedia.com email addresses) so (stupidly and thinking this was for security purposes and recovering passwords and important stuff) I used my company email and changed the passowrd.

Guess what, my works email is now being spammed by all the emails they used to send to my main virginmedia.com email, the ones telling me about all sorts of crap I am not interested in, like how to make my wireless more wirelessly.

I do have an option to move broadband and I am thinking freeview will meet my TV needs, and so I just have to watch my recorded stuff and then buy a video recorder (or whatever they are called now) and dump virginmedia

[gnome]

Thanks for getting back to me.

I wasn't offered alternative security questions and for some reason that I can't fathom, to change the password in my account I have had to nominate a non-virginmedia.com account.

I did, and now you send me all the spam emails about stuff I dont want to this other email address rather than the virginmedia.com email I usually use.

It seems like you want me off your mail service.

I get the alternative email request, Google does it in case a person looses access to their gmail account, but they don't then decide that this alternate email is the email address to spam.

I would like Broadband and some TV that is better than Freeview (and I am not convinced your basic TV package offers anything freeview doesn't give for free.

As for using X - I dont use it - never had the need to pester the universe with 128 characters of my imbecilic thoughts

As for facebook - I dont use it - why use a social media thingy for a business discussion ?

I admit I am old fashioned and like to live my life offline and I like to make decisions based on fact, not PR and marketing hyperbole.

[gnome]

I am trying to get a table showing what each VM TV package contains, not a pretty PDF, that I can order alphabetically to compare it against TV packages offered by other providers and Freeview as it seems the basic VM package is just Freeview and I am wondering why I would want it.

Does anyone know where such a table/document exists.

[newapollo]

Hi gnome

I've merged your post from the Community Natter Forum with this one since it includes the same question about a sorted list of TV channel, along with questions that have previously been answered for yourself.  Plus staff  don't tend to frequent the Natter and Chatter forums and they should respond to this thread in a day or two

There is no existing VM document where you can order the channels alphabetically.

There is a non PDF channel guide <here>  listing the obsolete Mix tier which you are on, along with the Mixit and Maxit tiers.   

The Mixit tier is broadly equivalent to Freeview along with some additional Sky and Music channels.

The Maxit tier has now been renamed as the Mega tier. For comparison you can see the Maxit and Mega tiers  listed side by side <on this page>   

The difference between Maxit and Mega is that prior to 1st September the Bigger Sports bundle and the Ultimate Volt bundle included the Maxit TV tier and BT Sports (TNT Sports) within the bundle price.  TNT no longer allow their Sports channels to be included within bundles and they are now sold as an additional add on, hence the Maxit/Mega name changes.

@japitts gave an excellent summary of the available channels past and present in the thread you created on 16th September <here>  along with pointing out that there are software  platform differences to be aware of between your current tivo box, and the tivo based V6 box compared to the newer TV360 box which is based on Liberty Global (VM's owners) own entertainment paltform