EXCLUSIVE: Virgin Media may launch 20+ new channels by 2015 (UPDATED)

Note: The following post is just an rumour at time of posting.

Base on information I have seen from a number of sources over the past week I can confirmed that Virgin Media may launch over 20 new channels by end of this year.

Channel 5 Takeover - Guardian: Discovery withdraws bid for Channel 5

The Guardian is today reporting that Discovery Communications has withdrawn its bid for Richard Desmond's Channel 5, which is thought to leave MTV owner Viacom as one of the few remaining potential buyers.

Channel 5 Takeover - Bloomberg.com: Desmond’s Northern & Shell Gets ‘Number of Bids’ for Channel 5

Story from Bloomberg:

Richard Desmond’s Northern & Shell said it received a number of bids for Channel 5 and will evaluate them with advisers in the coming days.

Radio Today: Global confirms Heart expansion details

Global Radio has confirmed that Heart Radio will be extend onto the Real Radio network of regional stations from Tuesday 6th May.

MB Views: What may happen this year on Virgin Media

• Virgin Media deal with CSC Media is maybe up this year - last deal signed in March 2010.

Rumour: More Sky Sports HD Channels set to launch on Virgin Media? (UPDATED)

Technix over on Digital Spy posted on April 4th:

MB Views: Virgin Media started to join Smallworld to network?

Look like Virgin Media has been busy in Smallworld areas here is the new channel lineup for Smallworld areas from March 2014:

Channel 5 Takeover - Guardian Media: BT executive: 'count us out' of Channel 5 bid

A senior BT executive has questioned the strategic value and £700m price tag for Richard Desmond's Channel 5, effectively ruling out the telecoms giant as a serious bidder for the broadcaster.

Cartoon Network Too closes in UK from April 1st

Cartoon Network Too is set to be axe to make way for Cartoon Network +1 on Virgin Channel 705 from April 1st.

Radio Today: GMG / Global Radio's Hold Separate ends

Global Radio’s Hold Separate requirement with the former GMG Radio company officially ends at midnight tonight after 22 months.

STV Glasgow to launch in June on Virgin Media

STV has confirmed that its new city TV channel will begin broadcasting on June 2 2014, with a flagship live magazine show called The Riverside Show running for two hours each weekday evening.

London Live launches on Freeview and Virgin Media

London Live launches on Freeview Channel 8 and Virgin Media channel 159 (In Croydon, Hersham, Hayes, Watford, Haringey, Seven Kings, Bromley and Lewisham areas only.)

Channel 5 Takeover - Discovery confirmed they are in talks to buy Channel 5

Discovery has confirmed that they are bidding to buy Channel 5.

Notts TV to launch May 27th on Freeview

Local TV broadcast Notts TV has confirmed to Nottingham Post that they will launch on Freeview on May 27th 2014.

Rumours on the web say Notts TV are in talks with Virgin Media.

Channel 5 Sale: Discovery and Sky in pole-position to buy Channel 5

Broadcast now is reporting that:

A joint bid between Discovery Communications and BSkyB is emerging as a front-runner to buy Channel 5.

Mail on Sunday: The price is £68m as shopping channel Sit Up TV hopes to clear debt

Story from Mail on Sunday:

Shopping channel operator Sit Up TV will ask its creditors next week to agree to a deal to write off its debts and allow it to continue broadcasting.

DS Forum: Two local TV Channels set to launch on Virgin Media

Digital Spy poster 'Disco' says the following channels will launch on Virgin Channel 159 in Spring 2014 in the following areas:

Media Boy Opinions on BBC Three axe

As you may know the BBC is set to axe BBC Three in 2015 so that BBC One +1 can launch - the following is my own opinion.

BBC announces plans to close BBC Three as a TV Channel in 2015

The BBC has announced plans, subject to the approval of the BBC Trust, to close BBC Three as a broadcast TV channel in autumn 2015. The plans would mean –

• The BBC saving over £50 million a year
• £30 million of that going into drama on BBC One
• BBC Three being reinvented as a new and innovative online service
• The freed-up spectrum being used to extend CBBC by an hour a night and to provide a BBC One +1 service

Channel 5 Takeover - FT: A trio of US cable network owners have entered the race to buy Channel 5

A trio of US cable network owners have entered the race to buy Channel 5, the UK television broadcaster owned by media baron Richard Desmond.