Digital TV Blogs

Monday, March 15th 2010

If you hadn't guessed from its adverts about Supertelly, Sky is very proud of its high definition (HD) TV offerings.

As well as now offering its Sky+HD set-top box as standard, the firm is regularly expanding the number of such channels available to its consumers. According to the firm, the aim is simple – it plans to offer 50 HD channels by the time Christmas comes around this year.

While this may seem ambitious, it might come as a surprise that the company is well on the way to that target, as it will have 40 in operation by this summer.

The upcoming additions include ITV1 HD, which will launch next month, as well as Hallmark Channel HD and Sky Sports HD.

Wednesday, March 10th 2010

Despite originally being announced last year, we are all still waiting patiently for the full launch of Sky's hugely anticipated 3D digital TV service.

The company's 3D broadcast of the Premier League clash between Manchester United and Arsenal in nine pubs across the UK earlier this year got mixed reviews, so the firm is now pushing ahead with plans to get hype surrounding it back up to maximum levels.

Public demonstrations of the service are to be held at over 100 shopping centres across the UK within the next 12 months, starting with London's Westfield site from March 12th.

Monday, March 8th 2010

As well as working to provide faster broadband connections to consumers across the UK, both BT and Virgin Media are regularly working to expand their digital TV offerings.

The past week has seen both add new channels to their services, which could prove key to consumers when they look to switch deals.

Virgin Media is set to add high-definition (HD) version of the E4 and Film4 channels to its offerings in the coming months. The introduction of Film4 HD this summer is also an exclusive for the company, meaning movie fans looking for the best in British and US film-making could benefit.

Tuesday, March 2nd 2010

As winter seemingly refuses to go away, parents may still be looking for something to keep their little ones quiet while they remain stuck indoors. Fortunately, Virgin Media's latest digital TV offerings could offer some benefits.

The broadband bundle provider has added a range of child-friendly content to its broadcast service, most notably the first two series of Miley Cyrus's hit show Hannah Montana. Fans of teen star also have the chance to enjoy hits from her Live in London concert, as well as movies including Dadnapped! Hannah Montana.

Kids also have the chance to enjoy magical family firm Nanny McPhee in high definition on the PictureBox service from March 26th.

Monday, March 1st 2010

If there is one area that has benefitted more than most from rising broadband speeds in the UK, it is the world of on-demand TV. Brits now have the chance to watch content online through platforms like SeeSaw, or they can even get access to such programmes through Virgin Media's digital TV platform.

However, those who are yet to make use of such services could soon have access to another kind of broadcasting. Project Canvas, which is being backed by the BBC, ITV, TalkTalk and BT among others, will see on-demand content provided to Freeview and Freesat users.

In addition, if industry experts are to be believed, the service could be in use within the next 12 months.

Monday, February 22nd 2010

It seems that Virgin Media's offer of fibre optic broadband, home phone and digital TV services is proving irresistible to many Brits, if reports on the company's latest trading results are anything to go by.

The Daily Telegraph has revealed the company will announce later this week that 14,000 new customers signed up to its services in the fourth quarter of 2009, which helped to raise total revenues to £963 million.

However, could there be better things to come? The company is reportedly close to agreeing new deals with record labels such as Sony, Warner and EMI, which will see content from the firms added to its forthcoming music download service.

Friday, February 5th 2010

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and broadband and digital TV provider Virgin Media is giving couples the chance to get their hands on a range of romantic entertainment.

With many restaurants and hotels hiking up their prices around February 14th, and most places being packed with other couples, a cosy night in, in front of a rom-com could be the ideal way to enjoy a low-key Valentine's Day.

Virgin Media's on-demand service will be showing a number of romantically-themed TV episodes and films over the coming weeks, including Head Over Heels, Love Actually and episodes of Gossip Girl, Friends and ER.

Tuesday, February 2nd 2010

While all of the recent fuss in the digital TV world has been about Sky's 3D channel, Virgin Media has issued a timely reminder to consumers that its own broadcast platform still exists and can offer them benefits.

The company, which also specialises in fibre optic broadband and home phone services, has revealed that its on-demand platform enjoyed a record-breaking 2009, with over 750 million views.

Over 59 per cent of the firm's 3.7 million TV customers are now regularly using the service to catch up on programmes from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Living.

In addition, the service racked up 76 million views in December alone, which suggests things can only get better for the company in 2010.

Monday, February 1st 2010

Despite Sky's best efforts, it seems the jury is still out on the company's hugely anticipated 3D digital TV service.

Previewed yesterday (January 31st) in nine pubs across the UK, the decision to broadcast the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United in the format was described by the match commentator Alan Parry as "television history".

However, initial reports suggested that the service did not have the massive impact that Sky was hoping for.

Writing for technology website T3, Kieran Alger said the broadcast "wasn't bad, it just wasn't brilliant".

He explained: "The early close ups of the teams lining up and Sky's excellent graphics suggested real promise.

Friday, January 29th 2010

Football fans will be able to enjoy a new way of watching their favourite players in action this weekend, as Sky prepares to preview its eagerly awaited 3D digital TV service.

While the platform is not expected to be launched officially in pubs until April, the company is planning to offer a taster by showing the Premier League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United in the format at nine specially selected locations across the UK on Sunday (January 31st).

The 3D service will then be made available to its residential customers later this year when compatible TVs hit the market.

Monday, January 25th 2010

Sports fans across the UK may soon have the chance to experience football coverage in a whole new way thanks to digital TV provider Sky.

News that the company, which also offers digital TV and home phone services, is planning to broadcast live football in 3D before the end of this year is likely to be welcomed by many.

According to the Daily Mail, successful trials based on coverage of Champions League football, boxing and golf have shown the potential of the switch to such services.

Wednesday, January 20th 2010

Despite being first announced in June last year, fibre optic cable broadband provider Virgin Media's eagerly anticipated music download service finally looks set to surface this year. According to Marketing magazine, the platform – which has been rather intriguingly named MusicFish – is expected to be online by the start of July.

The world of music downloads is complicated place at present, with a range of companies vying for the attentions of consumers.

While iTunes is arguably the most popular service, Virgin Media rival Sky also entered the sector towards the end of last year with an unlimited streaming and download platform.

Monday, January 18th 2010

Sky's monopoly over top sports coverage has long been a frustration to football fans who cannot afford it, but it has also had a significant impact on the popularity of rival digital TV services.

Take BT Vision for instance. While it offers on-demand TV and films - and also recently launched a new energy-efficient set-top box - just 436,000 people are subscribing to it. One of the big reasons behind the low figures – Sky has over nine million customers – is thought to be the lack of top sports coverage.

However, Ofcom could change all that if it succeeds with its efforts to force Sky to offer its premium sports and movie channels via rival platforms, such as BT Vision.

Thursday, January 14th 2010

Virgin Media's range of digital TV, broadband and home phone services are proving popular with consumers, according to new research from Cable.co.uk.

The comparison website has revealed that two of the fibre optic cable broadband providers' leading packages have been the most popular deals among its consumers in recent times.

So why are the deals proving so popular? One of the deals is the company's Best Value Bundle, which is available for £18 a month and includes 10Mbps broadband, home phone and digital TV services featuring up to 60 channels such as Sky 1, Living and Bravo.

Cable.co.

Thursday, January 7th 2010

Despite having its critics in the past, 3D re-emerged with a vengeance in 2009. Channel 4 showed a season of content based in the format, while some of the year's biggest blockbusters also embraced the technology.

The next 12 months also look set to be huge for the concept, with broadband and digital TV provider Sky planning to launch a service based around it at some point in 2010.

While the launch of such platforms can raise compatibility issues, primarily due to the difficulties of buying the right equipment, the company has confirmed plans to make it as easy as possible for people to enjoy the next generation of broadcasting.