So here's a part rant, part question, part observation from a very unhappy Virgin subscriber.
I have two boxes, one's a TiVo. Overnight last week Virgin changed the on-demand/catch up system on the TiVo so that it's no longer the usual one (which is on my other box) and essentially just a duplication of the branded players available from the main networks. So, on my TiVo if I want to catch up on a BBC show I have to use iPlayer.
This is really stupid on Virgin's behalf. It removes a key differentiator from the competition (Sky and YouView) and it gets rid of key functionality from what was a pretty damn good system. It's now not possible, for example, to skip 10 minutes by pressing a single button (very useful if you return to a show after having watched half of it the day before) and you can't drop down a full page in a list of shows, you have to scroll down line by line which can take for ever.
In addition BBC iPlayer does not stream HD material even though it tells you it is.
So, I am paying a premium to have/use TiVo and Virgin have reduced functionality and service that made it superior to the Skybox. Why?
Given how well WHFSAV reviewed the TiVo box is there any way you could speak to the clever folks at Virgin and find out why they did this, why they think it improves the customer experience and if they are going to reinstate core functionality? It is impossible for a regular mortal to speak to anyone on the usual numbers who has any idea about this.
I have two boxes, one's a TiVo. Overnight last week Virgin changed the on-demand/catch up system on the TiVo so that it's no longer the usual one (which is on my other box) and essentially just a duplication of the branded players available from the main networks. So, on my TiVo if I want to catch up on a BBC show I have to use iPlayer.
This is really stupid on Virgin's behalf. It removes a key differentiator from the competition (Sky and YouView) and it gets rid of key functionality from what was a pretty damn good system. It's now not possible, for example, to skip 10 minutes by pressing a single button (very useful if you return to a show after having watched half of it the day before) and you can't drop down a full page in a list of shows, you have to scroll down line by line which can take for ever.
In addition BBC iPlayer does not stream HD material even though it tells you it is.
So, I am paying a premium to have/use TiVo and Virgin have reduced functionality and service that made it superior to the Skybox. Why?
Given how well WHFSAV reviewed the TiVo box is there any way you could speak to the clever folks at Virgin and find out why they did this, why they think it improves the customer experience and if they are going to reinstate core functionality? It is impossible for a regular mortal to speak to anyone on the usual numbers who has any idea about this.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram