FabSwingers.com forum: thinking of making the leap.... sky to virgin

By *abio OP Man
over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

okay now that game of thrones and the footie season is over... i am thinking of making the leap..

the only things tying me were sky atlantic (for game of thrones) and a lot of the footy (which i can watch on the *ahem* t'internet)

plus i have looked at a lot of the numbers... i am on the sky middle package with sports, phone and broadband.... the same package on virgin (replacing bt sport for sky sport)..... 30 quid cheaper....

so you virgin media peeps... whats it like?

why am i still nervous of making the switch?

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By *oodmessMan
over a year ago

yumsville

I am with virgin and never had an issue with them. Always get through to cust service if there has been a problem, dog chewed the remote, and one remote stopped working - replacements were sent free the next day. You can buy sky spots/movies as an add on if you want with their boxes.

As far as bb speed, 20mbs bb download speed, which on testing is above this regular, though it has been blipping out recently - I think it's the router being donkies old, annd comes back on instantly.

The fiber optic looks a good deal right now, but why not look at the BT if you are looking around, as Virgin will charge you to install cable if cable isn't already on your street.

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By *alandNitaCouple
over a year ago

Scunthorpe

We're on virgin and I'm a big fan. 120 Mb Internet, the TIVO box is really good and most of the sky channels are available IF you want to buy them.

Also, there's no signal problems when the weather is crap.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I went the other way and left virgin. Virgin is heavily subscribed and slow on evenings in my area.

So I'm on plusnet unlimited broadband, and sky telly. All works fine.

My advice...Look up broadband comparison in your area.

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By *ouplekinkCouple
over a year ago

kink town

We are switching to Virgin from sky next month and will save nearly £100 a month and double our Internet speed. I will get all the sports and sky Atlantic from my kodi box. No brainer!

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Switching off my sky next month going to get a dream box and get sky for free fed up of paying £90 a month now they want more ffs

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By *isexmistressWoman
over a year ago

Prestwich

"Switching off my sky next month going to get a dream box and get sky for free fed up of paying £90 a month now they want more ffs"

Whats a dream box

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By *rchie300Man
over a year ago

Hamworthy

I did the switch and went back too sky .... The grass is always greener or so they say

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Switching off my sky next month going to get a dream box and get sky for free fed up of paying £90 a month now they want more ffs"
dream box?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I've had both I was in virgin then moved to sky and within a couple of month went back to virgin, I much prefer virgin the TV is much better, I don't watch that much but the kids do and was forever moaning the on demand etc was crap on sky

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By *picyspiregirlCouple
over a year ago

chesterfield

We switched from sky to Virgin quite some time ago. We think Virgin is much better. We have the full package with multi room, Internet and land line for £35 a month less than sky were charging.

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By *abio OP Man
over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

seee... virgin I have spoken to and they are saying all the right things... i am still not sure

I may give sky a call and see why they offer me to stay... if not... i'll jump

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Slightly off topic but I have seen some mention of BT in here.

Tried to change to BT for their fibre package, absolute nightmare. Placed order four times and for some reason it either never processed or got kicked out of the system. Promised faithfully it was sorted only for it to happen again. I ended up staying with sky once I found out they had fibre too.

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By *lactontogMan
over a year ago

Clacton on Sea

I have a Android Kit Kat TV box £49.00 and have Showbox and Mobdro downloaded on it so i can watch any channel/series etc.

This and bog standard Free Sat give me all the HD viewing i need without monthly bills.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have a Android Kit Kat TV box £49.00 and have Showbox and Mobdro downloaded on it so i can watch any channel/series etc.

This and bog standard Free Sat give me all the HD viewing i need without monthly bills."

Those two apps run from torrent streams? Are they strictly legal?

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By *avebi48Man
over a year ago

Lordswood

"seee... virgin I have spoken to and they are saying all the right things... i am still not sure

I may give sky a call and see why they offer me to stay... if not... i'll jump"

worth getting an opinion from your local area as to BB speeds through the day or check the various forums I'd say. Some areas are oversubscribed or have speed issues (cambridge comes to mind).

I was with Virgin before I moved and they were great but can't get it where I am now so stuck with sky and it's mediocre. BB speed is now half what it was for no apparent reason (non fibre)

When I moved here the line had been unbundled from BT to sky so couldn't easily get Plusnet or anyone else to reconnect (only BT or GPO can) and then BT cocked up the order so I decided sod it and continued with sky. Stuck with them now as Bernie sold all the F1 rights to them, bummer.

I hear that telling them you want to leave often results in them offering you a "new subscriber" deal so could be worthwhile

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By *avebi48Man
over a year ago

Lordswood

"Slightly off topic but I have seen some mention of BT in here.

not surprised there, their system can only process one order at a time, if you change or there's one already in the pipe (complete or not) you're basically stuffed until they find and delete it. Same on the commercial side lol

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have a Android Kit Kat TV box £49.00 and have Showbox and Mobdro downloaded on it so i can watch any channel/series etc.

This and bog standard Free Sat give me all the HD viewing i need without monthly bills."

man with the right idea

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By *ENDAROOSCouple
over a year ago

South West London / Surrey

"okay now that game of thrones and the footie season is over... i am thinking of making the leap..

the only things tying me were sky atlantic (for game of thrones) and a lot of the footy (which i can watch on the *ahem* t'internet)

so you virgin media peeps... whats it like?

why am i still nervous of making the switch? "

We've had both, but prefer Virgin.

The only complaint is their customer services, ringing them can be a nightmare but same could be said for alot of companies.

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By *lactontogMan
over a year ago

Clacton on Sea

"I have a Android Kit Kat TV box £49.00 and have Showbox and Mobdro downloaded on it so i can watch any channel/series etc.

This and bog standard Free Sat give me all the HD viewing i need without monthly bills.

Those two apps run from torrent streams? Are they strictly legal? "

As legal as the free sites that pirate my films i think...payback lol

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By *ce WingerMan
over a year ago

P.O. Box DE1 0NQ

Have had both in the past and prefer Virgin, being able to record 2 programs whilst watching another and Youtube on the TiVo box. Unfortunately I can't get Virgin where I am now as there is no cable on this side of the road

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have a Android Kit Kat TV box £49.00 and have Showbox and Mobdro downloaded on it so i can watch any channel/series etc.

This and bog standard Free Sat give me all the HD viewing i need without monthly bills.

Those two apps run from torrent streams? Are they strictly legal?

As legal as the free sites that pirate my films i think...payback lol"

I did think it was a little rich considering how you reacted to someone who talked about using porn streaming sites.

You go for it.

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By *lactontogMan
over a year ago

Clacton on Sea

"I have a Android Kit Kat TV box £49.00 and have Showbox and Mobdro downloaded on it so i can watch any channel/series etc.

This and bog standard Free Sat give me all the HD viewing i need without monthly bills.

Those two apps run from torrent streams? Are they strictly legal?

As legal as the free sites that pirate my films i think...payback lol

I did think it was a little rich considering how you reacted to someone who talked about using porn streaming sites.

You go for it. "

Lifes a bitch i agree.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have a Android Kit Kat TV box £49.00 and have Showbox and Mobdro downloaded on it so i can watch any channel/series etc.

This and bog standard Free Sat give me all the HD viewing i need without monthly bills.

Those two apps run from torrent streams? Are they strictly legal?

As legal as the free sites that pirate my films i think...payback lol

I did think it was a little rich considering how you reacted to someone who talked about using porn streaming sites.

You go for it.

Lifes a bitch i agree."

Phew everyone can have a guilt free shandy now on here.

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By *lactontogMan
over a year ago

Clacton on Sea

"I have a Android Kit Kat TV box £49.00 and have Showbox and Mobdro downloaded on it so i can watch any channel/series etc.

This and bog standard Free Sat give me all the HD viewing i need without monthly bills.

Those two apps run from torrent streams? Are they strictly legal?

As legal as the free sites that pirate my films i think...payback lol

I did think it was a little rich considering how you reacted to someone who talked about using porn streaming sites.

You go for it.

Lifes a bitch i agree.

Phew everyone can have a guilt free shandy now on here. "

When you have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds in revenue due to pirates watching Showbow which is a legal site is little compensation but its a start.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have a Android Kit Kat TV box £49.00 and have Showbox and Mobdro downloaded on it so i can watch any channel/series etc.

This and bog standard Free Sat give me all the HD viewing i need without monthly bills.

Those two apps run from torrent streams? Are they strictly legal?

As legal as the free sites that pirate my films i think...payback lol

I did think it was a little rich considering how you reacted to someone who talked about using porn streaming sites.

You go for it.

Lifes a bitch i agree.

Phew everyone can have a guilt free shandy now on here.

When you have lost hundreds of thousands of pounds in revenue due to pirates watching Showbow which is a legal site is little compensation but its a start."

Not judging you chap if you want to use streaming sites that's your choice. Just like the ones who use porn sites in such a way to hit you in the pocket.

Although your not exactly getting payback on those who wronged you by that logic.

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By *illwill69uMan
over a year ago

moston

"okay now that game of thrones and the footie season is over... i am thinking of making the leap..

the only things tying me were sky atlantic (for game of thrones) and a lot of the footy (which i can watch on the *ahem* t'internet)

so you virgin media peeps... whats it like?

why am i still nervous of making the switch? "
you do know that Virgin is in the process of selling their tinterweb business to talk talk!

Do you want to become another one of their unhappy customers?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"okay now that game of thrones and the footie season is over... i am thinking of making the leap..

the only things tying me were sky atlantic (for game of thrones) and a lot of the footy (which i can watch on the *ahem* t'internet)

so you virgin media peeps... whats it like?

why am i still nervous of making the switch? you do know that Virgin is in the process of selling their tinterweb business to talk talk!

Do you want to become another one of their unhappy customers?"

Left very unhappy with Talk Talk the customer service was Bob!!!

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By *abio OP Man
over a year ago

Newcastle and Gateshead

" you do know that Virgin is in the process of selling their tinterweb business to talk talk!

Do you want to become another one of their unhappy customers?"

partly true... cause someone else said that to me and i have checked...

virgin have sold their asdl broadband service to talk talk (those are the people who have virgin broadband basically outside on virgin service area so are using bt lines)

anyone who had virgin broadband using the fibre optics (so are getting virgin tv for example) are not affected.....

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Get virgin installed then get a kryptview box...

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By *ig1gaz1Man
over a year ago

bradford

im from the downloading side so had the blueyonder package as it was known then ive also moved with the package and uped it yearly

as known as virgin media you no longer get some of the special deals that used to get before virgin took it over

however id advise to pay a yearly subscription to your package i choose internet and got 100.00 off the bill for paying a year earlier as i use the net more than anything else

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I only stick with Virgin because of the broadband.

They don't do all the Freeview channels so I end up using my Freeview box and the TiVo You can record 3 program at once, and watch something you've recorded. Great as the programs I want usually clash.

As I've never been allowed to put a sky dish up I can't compare the 2

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By *illwill69uMan
over a year ago

moston

" you do know that Virgin is in the process of selling their tinterweb business to talk talk!

Do you want to become another one of their unhappy customers?

partly true... cause someone else said that to me and i have checked...

virgin have sold their asdl broadband service to talk talk (those are the people who have virgin broadband basically outside on virgin service area so are using bt lines)

anyone who had virgin broadband using the fibre optics (so are getting virgin tv for example) are not affected..... "

True broad strokes do not cover all circumstances and I should know better than pointing out something like this to someone as well informed as you. (That is a compliment!

) But without sounding superior, I will continue to share knowledge I have because I dont know others (including you my friend) know what I know, in the hope that they (and you my friend) will do the same.

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By *mmabluTV/TS
over a year ago

upton wirral

Tried to get Virgin but they do not do it in our area,not impressed.

Looking at BT but they are very funny about there cost after offer has expired.

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By *bi HaiveMan
Forum Mod
over a year ago

Cheeseville, Somerset

It'll never happen Fabio.

You'll not find a virgin in Newcastle.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I did the switch and went back too sky .... The grass is always greener or so they say

Snap...had various issued with the WiFI dropping out over the 18mth contract. After them telling me it was because of where the router was positioned (where they installed it) they eventually sent an engineer with a new router to install in a different place...he put it in the same place and said it was bullshit, the router was fine where it was and it went again a few weeks later. Many calls to far flung call centres and I just gave up on it...rode the contract out with an ethernet cable and when I cancelled they then offered me the 'brand new' updated router. Except the brand new router had been on the marker for over 6mths by this time so needless to say I was a bit naffed off that I was never offered this to resolve the constant issues I was having.

I liked the TiVo box, and the download speed on the broadband was great...nto much use though if you can't use WiFi! Wouldn't go back to them again now after that. Oh and they tried to charge my sister to reconnect her when she moved house, even though the area she moved to didn't have a Virgin supply to the estate at all...

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By *hyllyphyllyMan
over a year ago

Bradford

My set up is really simple....

I pay virgin £31 a month for just 100mb Broadband, no tv or phone.

In my telly, I have an Amazon Fire stick (£35), and on that firestick, I have kodi.

With kodi, i have access to EVERYTHING! and i mean everything, footie, porn, boxsets, stuff that was on last night.

And when I called TV licencing, I just told them I pirate American TV shows and they said I don't need a licence

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By *ischief ManagedCouple
over a year ago

manchester

Cant beat kodi weve dropped our virgin to mimimum package but kept the 150 mb broadband since we got the m8 kodi box , saved over 60 quid a month with two tivo boxes. Sports great nbc for the footie

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By *avebi48Man
over a year ago

Lordswood

"I did the switch and went back too sky .... The grass is always greener or so they say

most ISP's provide a pretty crappy router, the sky one I have is junk for WiFi and I know there were many issues with the virgin not-so-super hub too. Managed to get my own proper router running on sky and never had a problem since, it worked great off the back of the virgin cable modem too. I'd prefer ISP's offer the choice, basic link or the full router so we have the choice than be forced to use a piece of unreliable junk we get the privilege of paying for.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Changed from sky to BT ... Don't do it !!! Go damn nightmare constantly no wifi half the time no tv ... Hour a week on the phone complaining .. No refund .. No apologies ... Waste of space !!!

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By *een_VoyeurMan
over a year ago

Lanark / Surrounding

I was going to leave Sky. Ask to be put through to disconnections. Gave me new 12 month contract all channels , free internet and discounted phone. Saved 38 a month.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

As mentioned above, if you tell sky you're leaving they will offer you a better deal. They have numerous packages to offer you, in order to keep you as a customer. There are various discounts and channels on offer so if something they offer isn't what you want tell them so and ask for something else. You're the one with options and therefore have all the bargaining power.

Speak to virgin as well and play them off against each other, also check your area is all fiber optic enabled then I'd seriously consider Virgin. I have recently had to switch from virgin to sky as my new property isn't virgin compatible. Had sky two months and already we've had a problem with the dish, and because of this I have found their customer service is poor and all technical faults are put through a 3rd party who charge you through the teeth. Any issues with virgin (2) were fixed promptly and for free. They even upgraded my super hub and TiVo for free as the walls and layout of my house meant I struggled for signal. That was pretty damn good of them.

Finally, I have found line speeds are slower if you work from a home office. I did live in an area where virgin had 50mbps which even sky admitted they couldn't match.

Finally, I did prefer TiVo to the Sky+ box as I found the record, fast forward/rewind functions better.

My recommendation would be to go for Virgin but push to get it half price for 12 to 18 months if you're prepared to sign up that long.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

I made the switch from Sky to Virgin about 3yrs ago and have never looked back.

Sky constantly underperformed and underdelivered. They guaranteed me 8mbps broadband, I got 0.8mbps most of the time and at best got 1.2mbps. If there was a light drizzle outside I lost the TV.

Switched to Virgin on their 100mbps package I regularly saw speeds in excess of 106mbps and there's never been a drop-out. It also doesn't matter if it's raining lava outside, the TV will still work.

Virgin also don't sell your information on to third parties like Sky did. Just do a Google search on ACS Law, Sky sold the IP addresses of everyone that visited torrent sites to a firm of shady solicitors which then attempted to prosecute tens of thousands of people, most of which hadn't actually downloaded anything. Anonymous eventually got involved and published absolutely everything about the solicitors online and ruined the company.

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By *orethancurvesWoman
over a year ago

Liverpool

Noooooo dont do it.

Sky can pull from virgin (like they have done twice already) all the sky channels if and when they please.

I wasnt going to leave sky....ive done it before and gone back, but ehen the bill increase came up i called them and asked what they can do to make me stay. I now have exactly the same package(which granted is only the tv package minus sports and movies) for £14 less a month.

Just call them and see what they will offer u.

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By *teveanddebsCouple
over a year ago

Norwich

We binned Sky in favour of Freesat.

Best move ever.

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By *isdirtygirlCouple
over a year ago

somewhere out there

[Removed by poster at 16/06/15 08:30:55]

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By *randmrsminxyCouple
over a year ago

Gloucester

Left virgin and gone to sky saved £20 a month with more channels . And once your with Virgin , every few weeks you get a call saying how your a loyal customer and we have a offer just for you . Sky will price match or better to keep you .And if you look at virgin most of the channels they offer are sky anyway except the one ATLANTIC ,they wont give them that channel ,and no box sets either

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By *isdirtygirlCouple
over a year ago

somewhere out there

" you do know that Virgin is in the process of selling their tinterweb business to talk talk!

Do you want to become another one of their unhappy customers?

partly true... cause someone else said that to me and i have checked...

virgin have sold their asdl broadband service to talk talk (those are the people who have virgin broadband basically outside on virgin service area so are using bt lines)

anyone who had virgin broadband using the fibre optics (so are getting virgin tv for example) are not affected..... "

Yeah the ADSL sell off was ages ago. There is currently talks between Virgins parent company and Vodafone about a possible asset swap - ie Vodafone UK becomes part of the same group as Virgin - but nothing that would be negative for Virgin customers.

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