NPR

epwc wrote: Tue Jul 23, 2024 8:54 pm My in laws have virgin tv which is incredibly expensive, the passing of my father in law means mother in law now has much less disposable income (he was on a final salary pension)

Reason for virgin was that terrestrial reception is crap in her location.

She watches murder mystery stuff and MASH mostly plus crap films; Colombo, miss marples etc.

I guess freesat plus fibre broadband would be workable, there’s also something new called Freely and itv X

Anyone got experience of any of the above?

Tichtheid wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 7:07 am It may not be something your MiL feel like doing right now but she could get someone to talk to virgin on her behalf.

I’ve always been able to negotiate hard with Virgn Media, to the point where I cancel the contract. They always ring you back a few days after and offer you a better price.

Tichtheid wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 7:07 am It may not be something your MiL feel like doing right now but she could get someone to talk to virgin on her behalf.

I’ve always been able to negotiate hard with Virgn Media, to the point where I cancel the contract. They always ring you back a few days after and offer you a better price.

Margin__Walker wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 7:52 am Personally I'd have your wife complain on her behalf, specifically with respect to your MiL's vulnerability in this instance.

Not sure how the likes of Virgin are regulated but it's the kind of thing that's taken pretty seriously in my industry.

It's predatory. No one should be paying £100 pcm to watch golden oldies.

epwc wrote: Tue Jul 23, 2024 8:54 pm My in laws have virgin tv which is incredibly expensive, the passing of my father in law means mother in law now has much less disposable income (he was on a final salary pension)

Reason for virgin was that terrestrial reception is crap in her location.

She watches murder mystery stuff and MASH mostly plus crap films; Colombo, miss marples etc.

I guess freesat plus fibre broadband would be workable, there’s also something new called Freely and itv X

Anyone got experience of any of the above?

Slick wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 7:13 am

Tichtheid wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 7:07 am It may not be something your MiL feel like doing right now but she could get someone to talk to virgin on her behalf.

I’ve always been able to negotiate hard with Virgn Media, to the point where I cancel the contract. They always ring you back a few days after and offer you a better price.

Yup, I’ve been doing that for a few years now with Virgin, they always end up offering a decent price

inactionman wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 8:57 am Although I had no problems with the actual service offered by Virgin, their business practices and customer service were shocking. I shouldn't have to chase, or threaten to take my toys and leave, to not be ripped off.

We moved to BT which is a load cheaper for substantially the same service, and with BT/TNT Sports included (I gather virgin will be losing this). The broadband i supposed to be a lot slower but I've not seen any real performance impacts.

That's probably still overkill for what your mum-I-L needs, unless she needs quick broadband and phone as a package. She would perhaps be best on a cheap broadband deal and freesat.

petej wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 9:25 am

inactionman wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 8:57 am Although I had no problems with the actual service offered by Virgin, their business practices and customer service were shocking. I shouldn't have to chase, or threaten to take my toys and leave, to not be ripped off.

We moved to BT which is a load cheaper for substantially the same service, and with BT/TNT Sports included (I gather virgin will be losing this). The broadband i supposed to be a lot slower but I've not seen any real performance impacts.

That's probably still overkill for what your mum-I-L needs, unless she needs quick broadband and phone as a package. She would perhaps be best on a cheap broadband deal and freesat.

BT still relies on antenna for standard channels.

epwc wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 9:18 am That'd be easier, but looks like you need a Freely enabled TV. It'd work if it was a set top box

inactionman wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 8:57 am Although I had no problems with the actual service offered by Virgin, their business practices and customer service were shocking. I shouldn't have to chase, or threaten to take my toys and leave, to not be ripped off.

We moved to BT which is a load cheaper for substantially the same service, and with BT/TNT Sports included (I gather virgin will be losing this). The broadband i supposed to be a lot slower but I've not seen any real performance impacts.

That's probably still overkill for what your mum-I-L needs, unless she needs quick broadband and phone as a package. She would perhaps be best on a cheap broadband deal and freesat.

inactionman wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 9:27 am

petej wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 9:25 am

inactionman wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 8:57 am Although I had no problems with the actual service offered by Virgin, their business practices and customer service were shocking. I shouldn't have to chase, or threaten to take my toys and leave, to not be ripped off.

We moved to BT which is a load cheaper for substantially the same service, and with BT/TNT Sports included (I gather virgin will be losing this). The broadband i supposed to be a lot slower but I've not seen any real performance impacts.

That's probably still overkill for what your mum-I-L needs, unless she needs quick broadband and phone as a package. She would perhaps be best on a cheap broadband deal and freesat.

BT still relies on antenna for standard channels.

I'm not sure ours is plugged to an antenna.

petej wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 9:31 am

inactionman wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 9:27 am

petej wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2024 9:25 am
BT still relies on antenna for standard channels.

I'm not sure ours is plugged to an antenna.

Maybe the newer boxes get it all over the internet instead of just certain channels. I have crap antenna reception hence setting up the Freesat directly into the TV.