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Virgin and Sky have left us choices

Posted in Media, Digital March 22nd, 2007 by Melinda Varley

Ofcom this week have been called in to settle the ongoing dispute between rival television broadcasters BSkyB and Virgin Media as the two prepare to battle it out in court. But is there some good in all of this, some good for the little fish?

The dispute has highlighted the fact that we have options when it comes to TV and these options are probably going to get more of a chance.

Earlier this year Tiscali launched its new television service following the acquisition of Video Networks Ltd and Homechoice IPTV.

The base Tiscali TV pack includes TV channels such as the BBC, Channel 4, Channel Five, ITV, E4, Five US and ITV2, and a replay service which will allow subscribers to watch over 50 hours of key BBC programmes up to seven days after they have been broadcast.

But Tiscali isn’t the only contender in the running. Internet TV isn’t exactly a new concept, its just receiving the real push it needs to take on the TV market.

In December Channel 4 launched its on-demand service 4OD with a huge marketing push and of course many incentives to join. The real selling point of on-demand and internet TV is the choice it gives to consumers in terms of scheduling. No longer do viewers have to be home every Wednesday evening by 9pm to watch Ugly Betty or stay up until 10pm to watch Desperate Housewives. For just £1, which isn’t really that much, you can choose to watch Channel 4 programmes when you want and where.

If these offer low appeal, don’t forget BT is yet to roll out its consumer launch of BT Vision, its cable and on-demand service, that, in light of what has happened between Virgin and Sky, is becoming more and more of an attractive option.

With two huge enterprising companies in dispute about money it just goes to show that customers aren’t exactly at the heart of their debates. It’s two hungry business men trying to make a lot of money and will do anything to each other to take the loot. As consumers we must ask ourselves, do we condone this behaviour by two people, Aussie battler Murdoch and the face of friendly capitalism Branson, that have in the past been the most influential people in the modern media industry.