Why doesn't VS offer LIVETV

I'm going to revisit a post I made when VS introduced the 787. They cited at the time and I indeed enjoyed the ability to watch BBC News or CNN but it was very short lived.

https://www.travelweekly-asia.com/Trave ... t-and-news

I've never managed to get an explanation as to why it was deactivated so suddenly and without any communication to passengers whatsoever.

With the capabilities clearly there on its renewed fleet, why is it that they refuse to offer it? The IFE on most of its aircraft has it installed just not activated. With more and more carriers now offering this as part of their IFE - surely it's about time VS got back in the game?

Would love some clarity if anyone knows anything.

Cheers

[mitchja]

My guess would be because it costs VS money for the licences to broadcast those channels and after weighing up the costs/benefits it was simply deemed too expensive.

Each broadcaster they chose to use will probably require a separate licence so those costs will soon rack up and wit things like this there's zero return on those costs.

Its the Manchester Clubhouse approach, make an announcement, start the project, leave people hanging, quietly withdraw the idea

My guess would be because it costs VS money for the licences to broadcast those channels and after weighing up the costs/benefits it was simply deemed too expensive.

Each broadcaster they chose to use will probably require a separate license so those costs will soon rack up and wit things like this there's zero return on those costs.

But this will have been costed before activating it. VS were practically silent when I asked what was behind the decision. Even a contact at the 'uniq' department back then couldn't give me a straight answer. Literally nobody seems to know.

LiveTV on aircraft has been around since the days of Continental, it's nothing new and the cost of it has dropped significantly.

It seems such a strange decision to reverse its decision so quickly and then almost a decade on still not offer it. unless you're a passenger that doesn't want to be bothered during your flight or take advantage of free messaging on many carriers, VS customers should at the very least get the choice.