The digital question

With just four years to go before the government switches off the analogue TV signal, there are a lot of different TV providers out there competing for your business.

Sky, Virgin, Tiscali and BT are the biggest players in the market, but with each one offering similar packages, making the right choice requires a bit of thought.

All providers offer free weekend calls and broadband, they will also give you a free wireless router, except Virgin, who for some reason would rather offer free anti-virus software instead.

So making the choice has to come down to quantity and quality of service and here is where Sky scores high. Its TV packages range in price from £21 - £45 per month; it has the best technology out there, is able to deliver excellent customer service, according to on-line surveys, and offers the biggest choice of channels.

It also has a very useful multi-room option that allows you to watch different channels in various rooms around the house, excellent for families and sharers alike.

Tiscali also comes in with good customer service reviews, thanks to its reliable 8 Mb broadband, although the pay-per-view is a little pricey - £3.49 per movie compared to BT’s £1.99. However, packages start at just £15.99 so expect this one to grow.

Tags: Digital TV, Sky, Virgin by John Hillman
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Three, two, one… Go!

Can anyone remember the joy of watching two grown men in dazzling lycra ‘man-bikinis’ attack each other with giant cotton wool buds?

Then you will be thrilled to hear that Gladiators returns to our screens on Sky One this Sunday afternoon.

Stern Scottish ref John Anderson, foam fingers, the Eliminator, all played out to the glorious sound of We Will Rock You by Queen, if really doesn’t get any better than this.

Of course it isn’t going to be everyone’s Sunday afternoon tipple, and I genuinely feel for those unsuspecting teenage boys across the country who are about to suffer the embarrassment of watching the new Jet (Ice is the name) wrap her thighs around another female competitor on the Hang-Tough, whilst they sit there next to their Nan trying to look nonplussed - painful memories those.

Ian Wright, having given up his court jester role at MOTD on the BBC, has taken on the job of presenter – presumably to add a bit of gravitas to his CV – and he will joined by co-host Kirsty Gallacher.

Here’s hoping it goes as well as the old series so that we can all enjoy the inevitable tabloid fall-out that comes from giving narcissistic body-builders 15 seconds in the limelight. Ready? You bet.

Tags: Programmes, Sky by John Hillman
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