Virgin 1, the new television channel from Virgin Media, starts tonight. It’s moto, according to the promotional adverts, is “Proper Telly”.
If that’s the case, how come a lot of its schedule are dominated by repeats of shows that have been broadcast on other channels? Many US imports, including Criminal Minds and The Unit, will be (re)shown on the new channel. The eagle-eyed among you will find that Virgin 1 replaces the now defunct Ftn channel.
If Virgin Media think this channel will being used to placate angry customers for their stupid decision to pull Sky One and several other channels from their line-up earlier this year, then it isn’t going to work. The best thing they can do now is to negotiate a proper deal with Sky to get those channels back.
Virgin are looking @ this from several angles – but mainly their intention I believe is: 1. Build up the channels ‘Non-Repeat’ output by quite obviously broadcasting (and so repeating) what has been on other Cable & Satellite channels on FREEVIEW. (Where most wont have seen the ‘repeats’) – so that 2. Freeview viewers (& potential “Pay TV Customers) will see what Virgin Media think they are missing, coupled with the fact that most ad breaks have a Virgin Media promo. Add that up & you increase the probability of some Freeview customers looking @ & taking up 1 of Virgin’s various packages. Marketing Mans Wet Dream!!!