Virgin Media gave fans of Irish rugby a scare this afternoon as their TV3 services went down just as the build-up to Ireland's Grand Slam-decider was getting underway.
An unusual scenario that specifically left customer's without TV3, the absence of ITV as an alternative option for viewers left them with little or no port of call.
Don't make me crutch to the pub... Sort it out @virginmedia @VirginMediaIE @TV3Ireland @TV3SportIreland pic.twitter.com/94AWyXgY98
— Dave Bennett (@onlydave) March 17, 2018
@virginmedia "your box has lost its connection" is this a joke? #6nations #badtiming in D8 and need this fixed asap
— Rebecca (@Rdemps1) March 17, 2018
Love to (a) pay loads of money for @VirginMediaIE (b) lose access to half the sports channels because of a dispute with Eir and (c) not be able to watch the biggest rugby match in yonks because of some signal failure.
— ⭐ amy o'connor ⭐ (@amyohconnor) March 17, 2018
Sure it’s grand. Only potentially missing one of the biggest rugby games our nation has played pic.twitter.com/hYPE7ATWny
— Niall Breslin (@nbrez) March 17, 2018
So my @VirginMediaIE set top box has lost connection on the day of the #sixnations2018 final - what the actual fck????
— A👸 (@AnnLeinsterFan) March 17, 2018
So, my #VirginMedia connection in #Dublin8 has dropped, when we're in countdown to the #IREvENG game. Some updates on the @VirginMediaIE Twitter would help...? #ENGvIRE #6Nations
— Alison Begas (@kamfinsa) March 17, 2018
So @VirginMediaIE... this is not the day for your boxes to fail! What is happening please? No one answering calls, no one tweeting 🙄 #fail
— Philip Bromwell (@philipbromwell) March 17, 2018
With the majority of those effected by the drop off in services seemingly in the Dublin-area, the company were at pains to relay that they were aware of the problem.
Thankfully, TV3 have found a way of addressing the option.
If you’re a @VirginMediaIE customer who is experiencing an interruption to viewing, @TV3Ireland is live now on TV3+1, channel 110. #TV3Rugby
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 17, 2018
The irony was not lost on many who since took to mocking Virgin's perceived excitement for the event with this promo-video.
We’re feeling confident this #GrandSlamSaturday! #IREvENG #6Words6Nations ☘🏉 pic.twitter.com/1qZRCmbjoK
— Virgin Media Ireland (@VirginMediaIE) March 17, 2018
Virgin Media Failing to Broadcast Match. Thats six words.#6Words6Nations
— Dallan O'Reilly (@oreilly_dallan) March 17, 2018
Their UK branch was clearly dismayed with the attention it had started to receive on account of the general anger being directed toward the company.
This is Virgin Media in the UK. We're completely separate to @VirginMediaIE. Sorry to hear about the issues. Please tweet the lovely people at @VirginMediaIE for some help with this. MYa
— Virgin Media (@virginmedia) March 17, 2018
One angry customer went so far as to Tweet the company's founder - although he is not thought to have replied.
@richardbranson sorry to disturb. Your Virgin Media Irish Customers are without service on a crucial National day of sport and entertainment.. any chance u could wake up a few folks to help?!
— Catherine Butler (@ButlerDineen) March 17, 2018
