Old News from Virgin Media
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| 07/04/11 | Virgin Media announces arrival of Sky Arts 1 HD & 2 HD | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
New Sky HD channels join Virgin Media’s TV service from
April |
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| 05/04/11 | Virgin Media makes talk even cheaper | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In a pioneering move designed to save Virgin Media families a bundle on
calling services, from April 5th, Virgin Media is launching a range of
special deals which combine Virgin Media home phone and Virgin Mobile
services to create a powerful converged service. Aside from the exclusive
benefit of calls from their Virgin Media home phone to Virgin Mobiles at no
extra cost, customers will now be able to take advantage of a special range
of Virgin Mobile offers with the potential to save up to £96 a year on
monthly costs (£192 across a 24 month mobile contract), as well as tons more
in call charges. |
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| 01/02/11 | Virgin Media Creates New Superfast 30Mb Service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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* 'XL' broadband boosted by 50%, from 20Mb to 30Mb
Prices correct at time of press and based on paying by Direct Debit. One-time Installation/Set-Up fees apply. Virgin Media expected download speeds based on Broadband Performance Monitoring; see www.virginmedia.com/speedhonesty. BT Infinity speeds are dependent on copper line length and degrade over increased distances. BT does not disclose real-world typical performance of its BT Infinity service. Jon James, executive director of broadband at Virgin Media said: "As consumers continually demand more and more from their broadband, the unique power of our next-generation network means that we're able to turn up the dial to meet their needs. With so many devices connecting to the internet at home these days, our new 30Mb service will give Virgin Media families that extra boost needed to make everything run smoothly, with speeds that don't slow down depending on where you live." Existing customers already on 'XL' broadband at 20Mb are being invited to upgrade to the new 'XL' at 30Mb from 1st February, with only a one-off upgrade fee of £30 to cover activation and exchange of their old modem and router for Virgin Media's state-of-the-art 'SuperHub'3. The 'SuperHub' combined DOCSIS 3.0 modem and router is capable of Gigabit wired connectivity as well as dual-band 'N' WiFi for the ultimate in wireless connectivity to make the most of Virgin Broadband throughout the home. Virgin Media's fibre optic broadband product range from February 1st will feature 10Mb, 30Mb, 50Mb and 100Mb, and is now enjoyed by over 4 million homes with a true next-generation network delivering consistent speeds wherever a customers lives - making Virgin Media larger than TalkTalk and second only to BT Retail. With a total footprint covering nearly 13 million homes, Virgin Media services will be made available in new areas as Virgin Media expands its network4 across the UK. To find out more about Virgin Media's products and services, please visit www.virginmedia.com. |
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| 01/12/10 | Virgin Media launches the UK’s first next-generation entertainment platform | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virgin Media has today unveiled details of Virgin Media TV powered by TiVo®, the UK’s first next-generation entertainment platform. The new service will lead a much-anticipated revolution in the way people find and enjoy their favourite content. An easy-to-use graphical interface will combine the live TV schedule with catch-up TV, a huge library of on-demand programming and popular web-based applications alongside a market-leading personal video recorder. As a result, Virgin Media customers will never miss out on great programmes and will find it easier than ever to discover new types of entertainment to match their tastes and preferences. The platform will be supercharged by Virgin Media’s unparalleled digital network, ensuring guaranteed quality of service, whether watching in Standard Definition, High Definition or 3D. This also means that - unlike other internet enabled TV services - customers will be able to watch what they want at the click of a button, rather than waiting for time-consuming downloads. As Virgin Media TV powered by TiVo utilises dedicated channels of bandwidth, the user’s viewing choice will not come at the expense of their broadband connection, so households can watch and surf simultaneously without interruption. Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, said: “This is a landmark moment in the UK’s digital revolution and vividly illustrates why Virgin Media is the only company who can provide the ultimate digital lifestyle. For the first time, viewers will have a truly personalised viewing experience so they can get the most out of the wonderful worlds of the internet and TV all in one place. We’re really excited to bring our customers what is just the first of successive generations of transformational services based on this unique TiVo-powered platform.” The game changing platform features a highly intelligent recommendations engine which will learn to predict the type of shows that a particular customer loves and, just like a personal shopper, will recommend great content on offer. The superior search technology will find films, music, TV shows and online content as well as providing rich programme information and details about the actors and directors, allowing viewers to discover even more content connected to the cast and production. The user will be able to create a WishList™ search based on a particular show, theme, actor or director and all future content relevant to that will be automatically recorded. The iconic peanut-shaped TiVo remote control will also give viewers the chance to rate shows through the instantly accessible TiVo ‘thumbs up/thumbs down™’ buttons. Using this feature to help ensure even greater accuracy, the intelligent service will provide suggested shows and store them in the ‘My Shows’ folder – so Virgin Media customers will never miss out, even when they didn’t set a recording. As well as planning TV viewing over the next week, the service allows viewers to scroll backwards by up to seven days in the TV Guide and access catch up TV and programming information instantly. This will ensure catch up TV becomes simply a seamless extension of live TV viewing. Through its dedicated 10Mb cable broadband modem, which is built into the personal video recorder, the new platform will also bring the ever-growing popularity of the app store to the living room for the first time, doing for TV what the iPhone and Android have done for the mobile phone. Built on an Adobe Flash-based platform, the latest videos, social networking and information apps will be updated regularly. The service launches initially with apps from major web brands including catch-up TV from BBC iPlayer, videos from YouTube, shopping from the online marketplace eBay, Tweets from Twitter and photos from sites such as Facebook, and the app line up will expand over the next several months. The service will be supported by a brand new set-top box offering 1 terabyte of storage – up to 500 hours of standard definition programming – as well as access to 4,600 hours of TV shows, movies and music on demand. In due course, there will also be the facility to set recordings remotely via online and mobile devices. Featuring cutting edge hardware design, the Virgin Media TV powered by TiVo box will have three tuners*, allowing viewers to record two channels whilst watching a third so recording conflicts become a thing of the past. The future-proofed service will automatically be updated with new features and functionality as they become available. Virgin Media TV powered by TiVo will begin to roll-out from mid-December. Standard price of £199**, plus £26.50 per month*** for the XL TiVo package which features over 160 channels, an unrivalled TV on demand library and access to all standard HD channels. For further information, or to register for interest in the Virgin Media TV powered by TiVo service, visit: www.virginmedia.com/TiVo |
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| 11/11/10 | Catch-Up with Demand Five on Virgin Media | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Virgin Media today announced a multi-screen deal with Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd to bring programming from all of FIVE’s linear TV channels to its TV, online and mobile video on demand platforms from November. The addition of Demand Five to its pioneering TV On Demand service at no extra cost to customers makes Virgin Media the only TV provider to offer catch-up services from all four main terrestrial broadcasters, with some shows also available in HD. The new deal will see a range of quality shows added to Virgin Media’s ever expanding TV On Demand portfolio, from FIVE’s home grown shows such as The Gadget Show and Fifth Gear as well as popular US dramas including The Mentalist, Grey’s Anatomy and CSI: Miami. Virgin Media customers will also be able to scrub up on their soaps as the deal also includes the ever-popular Home and Away and Neighbours, both in HD, making Virgin Media the only TV provider to offer all of the major soaps* in its catch-up service. With over 14 hours of soaps on demand every week, Virgin Media is the new home for die-hard soap fans. Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media said: “We’re delighted to add Demand Five to our pioneering TV On Demand service and to complete our offering of terrestrial TV catch-up services. With a high calibre of shows including quality US drama, popular Australian soaps and entertaining and informative home grown programmes with many in HD, Demand Five has something for everyone.” Jonathan Lewis, Head of Digital Media at Channel 5 Broadcasting Ltd said: “We’re really pleased to be able to offer Demand Five through Virgin Media, giving even more consumers the opportunity to watch a selection of our great shows, at a time convenient to them whilst still being able to enjoy the high quality of a full TV experience.” Virgin Media’s TV On Demand library contains over 4,600 hours of TV, film and music, including hundreds of hours in HD, available to watch instantly at the touch of a button, meaning there’s always something for people of all tastes. Demand Five will also be available through Virgin Media’s website, www.virginmedia.com, with certain shows also available on mobile in due course. (* Eastenders, Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, Home and Away, Neighbours, Doctors) |
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| 03/11/10 | Virgin Media announces details of new TiVo-powered next generation connected TV service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virgin Media today announced the first details of its upcoming
TiVo-powered HD/3D set top box which will give customers a whopping 1
TeraByte of storage for personal recordings. The new HD/3D set top box will
launch alongside Virgin Media’s new TiVo-powered next generation connected
TV service scheduled for later this year, and will be capable of storing up
to 500 hours of content. When coupled with Virgin Media’s pioneering TV on
Demand service, the new service will give UK consumers unrivalled access to
over 4,600 hours of TV shows, movies and music videos, including hundreds of
hours of HD and 3D entertainment, plus catch up TV from the terrestrial
broadcasters, all available instantly. |
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| 27/10/10 | Virgin Media rolls out UK’s fastest broadband with 100Mb | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virgin Media (Nasdaq:VMED: LSE:VMED), the UK’s leading broadband
provider, today announced the rollout timetable of its highly anticipated
ultrafast 100Mb broadband service, with pre-registration starting today.
Giving customers nearly twenty times1 the average broadband speed in the UK,
the 100Mb service will go on sale from December and will propel the UK up
the global broadband league table, demonstrating Virgin Media’s clear
network advantage over rival broadband providers. |
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| 25/10/10 | Virgin Media Enters Agreement with NBC Universal International Television Distribution | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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NBC Universal shows coming to Virgin Media TV On Demand in HD Virgin Media today announced a deal with NBC Universal International Television Distribution for the video-on-demand rights in the UK to a broad selection of NBC Universal series. Under the terms of the agreement, these titles will be offered as new content across Virgin Media’s three entertainment platforms; TV, online and mobile. From the 1st December Virgin Media customers will be able to access past seasons of great shows such as House, Heroes, The Office (U.S.) and 30 Rock, whether in HD at home through its TV On Demand service or via its online and mobile ‘Virgin Media Player’ services. Earlier this year Virgin Media launched its online and mobile players as part of its multi-screen strategy and is continuing to explore innovative new ways to deliver TV content using the combined power of its fibre optic based broadband network, its cutting edge TV On Demand service and through video-capable handsets on its award-winning mobile service. With over 4,600 hours of TV, film and music, with hundreds of hours in HD available to watch instantly at the touch of a button, there’s always something for everyone. |
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| 30/09/10 | Virgin Media boosts broadband for free... again* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Virgin Media today announced another free upgrade for its fibre optic broadband customers, injecting an ‘adrenaline shot’ of performance to boost upload speeds which will enable Virgin Media customers to share large files such as photos and videos at an even faster rate. The upgrade has started to roll out and will automatically be applied to customers across the country on its up to 10Mb, up to 20Mb and up to 50Mb services. Unlike some of its competitors’ ‘free’ upgrades, customers will be able to take advantage of these new upload speeds as soon as their area is enabled, without the need to sign up or re-contract. Powered by Virgin Media’s unique next generation broadband network, increased upload speeds will enable customers to upload video to sites such as YouTube or Facebook in ultra-quick time or send files more swiftly to online backup services such as free Virgin Media’s VStuff service. Faster upload speeds also allow customers do more at once, such as hosting larger online multiplayer games on popular games consoles, as well as provide greater capacity for family members to send, share, poke and tweet at the same time with minimal delay.
Jon James, executive director of broadband at Virgin Media said: “We’re once again pushing the boundaries of UK broadband with a true next generation broadband service that vastly outperforms struggling DSL-based services. With the huge growth in social networks these new upload speeds will help Virgin Media customers share their most precious moments and keep up with what friends and families are up to, whether it’s uploading to YouTube or even hosting a live videochat to show off baby’s first steps in high-definition.” As part of the roll-out and in order to ensure fair usage of available capacity Virgin Media will be rolling out a new traffic management system at peak times, designed to adapt to network conditions to ensure time-sensitive and interactive uses – such as surfing or streaming high-definition video – remain unhindered by non-time-sensitive traffic such as peer-to-peer and newsgroup activity, reducing the possibility of annoying buffering that can occur when trying to watch TV online at peak times. Using smart network monitoring, the system will reserve at least 75 per cent of network resources for time-sensitive traffic, adjusting dynamically to overall network usage to ensure consistent performance for more customers.** In addition, as the increased upstream speeds roll-out to customers, Virgin Media is also increasing its peak time allowances for data transfer to ensure more customers can get the most out of their superfast broadband service. On a daily basis this traffic management system improves the performance that over 95 per cent of customers receive, whilst helping to minimise the negative effect the five percent of heaviest users have by temporarily slowing down their speeds, ensuring a fair share of network resources during the busiest times. For customers on its premium up to 50Mb service, this temporary slowdown will only operate on upload speeds and an extremely heavy user will see this reduce from up to 5Mb to up to 1.75Mb, above its pre-upgrade level of 1.5Mb. Despite these peak time traffic management measures, Virgin Media fibre optic broadband remains without monthly usage limits. ** Further information on Virgin Media’s traffic management system can be found at www.virginmedia.com/traffic |
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| 29/09/10 | Virgin Media expands stellar HD line-up | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virgin Media today announced the arrival of Sky 1 HD, due to launch
on its digital TV service from October 1st, adding yet another great channel
to its rapidly growing line-up of quality entertainment channels in crystal
clear high definition. Available at no extra cost to all customers on Virgin
Media’s incredible value ‘XL’ TV package, the addition of Sky 1 HD brings an
even wider range of compelling entertainment in high definition to its
customers, with further channels such as BBC 1 HD also due to launch later
this year. |
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| 28/09/10 | Virgin Media brings 3D TV to UK living rooms | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virgin Media has today announced the launch of 3D Movies On Demand – the
first digital TV service to bring cutting edge 3D straight to UK TV
screens*. Notes |
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| 13/07/10 | A Virgin Media high five for High Definition Five | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Virgin Media today announced that Five’s new High Definition
(HD) channel, Five HD, has launched on its line-up today. The
much-anticipated Five HD is available to Virgin Media’s 3.7 million TV
subscribers for no extra monthly fee. Five HD will broadcast a simulcast of Five’s schedule, including a wide array of programmes made in the High Definition format. These will include Five’s brand new live entertainment series Don’t Stop Believing which premieres on Sunday, 18th July. Other programmes to feature in HD include popular Aussie soaps Neighbours and Home & Away; the best in American drama such as The Mentalist, Grey’s Anatomy, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as well as top flight sporting coverage from Cricket on Five to Europa League football. Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, said: “Five is delivering some really innovative schedules; picking some outstanding international series and pairing them with original home-grown shows. Our customers will now be able to enjoy the HD channels of every national terrestrial broadcaster as well as a rapidly growing roster from other broadcasters so we’re delighted to give our customers Five, in HD.” Charles Constable, Five’s Director of Strategy, said: “We broadcast so many high quality series shot in HD, such as Don’t Stop Believing and our line-up of great US dramas, so our schedule is really suited to fantastic picture quality. Five HD is a great addition to our channel portfolio.” Virgin Media continues to expand its HD line-up with 13 channels launched to date, with STV HD in Scotland, and a further 20 including Sky Sports and Movies expected later this summer. HD channels from the BBC, ITV, STV (in Scotland), Channel 4 and now Five are all included in every Virgin Media TV tier and so are available to any Virgin TV customer who can receive High Definition programming. All other basic HD channels are added to the largest TV tier (‘XL’) for no additional monthly subscription. Virgin Media also carries hundreds of hours of HD TV on demand, all ready to start at the press of a button. This includes HD versions of blockbuster films, as well as BBC iPlayer HD and full television series in Virgin Media’s huge TV Choice on Demand archive. In the first three months of 2010 Virgin Media’s customers collectively viewed on demand content on their TVs 200 million times. In March Virgin Media unveiled its new V HD Box to complement the company’s existing set-top box options of the V Box, for basic digital TV, and the V+ HD Box which incorporates HD capability with a Personal Video Recorder. The V HD Box is available for a one-off cost and installation; there are no extra monthly fees. For more information on Virgin Media products and services visit: http://www.virginmedia.com/. Just wanted to apologise for the lateness of this Press Release notices. I don't publish them all but it seems I missed an important one! |
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| 11/06/10 | Virgin Media customers can now save a bundle on Sky Sports & Sky Movies channels | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Virgin Media is to pass on big savings to customers this summer, by offering Sky’s premium channels at simple, newly reduced prices. From the 1st July, Virgin Media customers – both new and existing - will be able to save up to £108 per year on Sky Sports and Sky Movies packages, provided by Virgin Media Entertainment. With the premium channels now available for as little as £13.50 per month, it’s never been a better time to be a Virgin Media customer. For those wanting to add or keep a single Sky Sports (Sky Sports 1 or 2) or Sky Movies (Sky Movies 1 or 2) package, the cost is now only £13.50 for Virgin Media TV customers on M+, L or XL TV packages – offering regular savings of up to £9 per month. Virgin Media is helping to kick-off the brand new premier league football season with a bang, offering all of the sports channels in the Sky Sports Collection (Sky Sports 1, 2, 3 and 4) for just £20.50** per month. This new pricing offers football fans a discount of up to £42 per year – enough to buy their favourite team’s new season shirt! Film fanatics will also benefit this summer from the new prices, saving up to £84 per year on Sky Movies channels – enough to indulge in pizza and popcorn to accompany their favourite films. Virgin Media is offering all of the Sky Movies channels in the Sky Movies Collection (Sky Movies 1 and 2, plus Sky Movies Premiere, Sky Movies Premiere +1, Sky Movies Showcase and Disney Cinemagic) for only £19.50** per month. For film and football fans under one roof, Virgin Media is also offering big savings on the top Sky Sports and Movies Collection – making all of the premium channels available in one package for only £27.50** per month. This top of the range bundle will now save Virgin Media customers up to £72 per year. |
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| 04/06/10 | BskyB and Virgin Media Reach Agreements on Sale of VMtv and Channel Distribution | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
British Sky Broadcasting and Virgin Media today announced that they have reached agreement for the acquisition by Sky of Virgin Media Television (VMtv). The companies have, in parallel, agreed to enter into a number of agreements providing for the carriage of certain Sky standard and high-definition (HD) channels.
The agreements cover the following: * Sky will acquire VMtv for a total consideration of up to £160 million in cash, with £105 million paid on completion and the remainder paid following the regulatory process. The acquisition will expand Sky's portfolio of basic pay TV channels and eliminate the carriage fees it currently pays for distributing VMtv channels on its TV services. Completion of the agreements is conditional on obtaining merger control clearance in the Republic of Ireland. Jeremy Darroch, CEO, BSkyB, said: "VMtv is an attractive investment opportunity which complements our existing content business and delivers strategic and financial benefits. We are pleased that, through commercial negotiation, we have been able to ensure wide distribution of our channels to a growing pay TV universe." Neil Berkett, CEO, Virgin Media, said: "The sale of our channels business has generated substantial value. Together with the new commercial agreements we've announced today, it will allow us to focus more closely on our strategy of exploiting Virgin Media's super-fast connectivity to offer our customers a range of the very best content through a highly versatile next generation entertainment application." The acquisition of VMtv involves Sky acquiring LIVING, LIVINGit, Challenge, Challenge Jackpot, Bravo, Bravo 2 and Virgin1. Sky will not license the Virgin brand and will announce the new channel brand for Virgin1 in due course. |
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| 16/03/10 | Virgin TV Customers to See the HD Clearer Picture for No Monthly Fee | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New HD set-top box and new channels make HD even more accessible with Virgin Media. Virgin Media, the UK's leading digital entertainment company, is to make HD TV more affordable by ensuring customers do not need to pay extra for stunning High Definition. So far this year Virgin Media has announced the addition of six new HD channels with more to come. Consumers will soon be able to make the most of this growing line-up with a new HD set-top box - the V HD Box - which will be available for no additional monthly subscription fee. New and existing TV customers can get the new V HD Box from March 22nd for a one-off cost of just £49 plus installation*. There are no extra on-going subscription fees. Virgin Media has already revealed that HD channels from ITV, Eurosport, Discovery, SCI FI, E4 and Film4 will all be added to its TV service later this year. HD channels from the BBC and Channel 4 are currently available to all Virgin TV customers. Subscribers to Virgin Media's 'XL' TV package can also watch Premier League football and more top sport on ESPN HD, become captivated by compelling documentaries on National Geographic HD and be entertained by FX HD, MTV Networks HD and LIVING HD (a Virgin Media exclusive). This increasing range of HD channels is also complemented by an extensive on demand library with thousands of hours of programmes, including hundreds in spectacular HD. Recent blockbusters such as Inglourious Basterds, Star Trek or The Hurt Locker, as well as films exclusive to Virgin TV such as Ché, are available alongside TV hit series including True Blood and Carnivàle, all in HD and ready to start at the press of a button. The Cisco-made box is 3D-ready and includes HDMI, SCART, USB and Ethernet ports to make the most of any digital home cinema experience. Featuring a best-in-class power saving function which dramatically cuts power usage by approximately 95% compared to stand-by mode, the V HD Box can also help minimise customers' electricity bills. The V HD Box adds to Virgin Media's existing choice of the V Box, for basic digital TV, and the V+ HD Box which incorporates HD capability with a Personal Video Recorder. Virgin Media retains ownership of its set-top boxes so customers do not need to pay for warranties and, should anything go wrong, do not face expensive call-out charges or replacement or repair fees. Virgin Media's executive director of digital entertainment, Cindy Rose, said: "We want to make the best High Definition TV available to more people at affordable prices and without the additional monthly subscription fee. If you really love telly you'll probably want our V+HD box because then you can then record programmes on up to two channels while simultaneously watching another. Our new V HD Box is ideal for anyone who wants to experience the power of HD without the extra monthly fee. We think our superb range of TV content gives our customers a real choice and makes Virgin Media the best value TV offering available." Customers can pre-register for the V HD Box and find out more about Virgin Media's HD products and services at: www.virginmedia.com/hd. |
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| 15/03/2010 | SCI FI HD to be beamed up to Virgin TV viewers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sixth new HD channel and more HD on demand set for Virgin Media this spring. Virgin Media, the UK's leading digital entertainment company, has signed an agreement with Universal Networks International to make the SCI FI channel available to its digital TV customers in High Definition. Launching on Virgin TV in advance of its anticipated rebrand to Syfy HD on 13th April, the channel will show some of the best imagination-based entertainment every day, including the forthcoming, much-talked-about UK premiere of V, a re-imagining of the 1983 ground-breaking invasion mini-series. In addition, the high-octane, action-packed drama Human Target will also make its UK television debut in April, taking its place alongside SCI FI favourites Legend Of The Seeker, Sanctuary and the classic Buffy The Vampire Slayer. This is Virgin Media's sixth new HD channel announced this year with more to come. Virgin Media's growing HD line-up already covers a wide variety of entertainment, including films, documentaries, sport, drama and music, with channels from the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 available to all Virgin TV customers, as well as ESPN, FX, MTV Networks, National Geographic, LIVING (a Virgin Media exclusive) and the forthcoming Eurosport, Discovery, E4 and Film4 (another Virgin Media exclusive) HD channels all available for no additional monthly fee to 'XL' TV customers. Virgin Media and Universal Networks International will also look to make HD content available on demand where possible, with selected programmes ready to watch at the touch of a button. Virgin Media already carries hundreds of hours of HD programmes on demand, including popular films, as well as BBC iPlayer HD and full television series via the vast TV Choice on Demand archive. Virgin Media's executive director of digital entertainment, Cindy Rose, said: "The SCI FI channel is synonymous with the science fiction genre and premieres many high-profile, first-run series. We are excited to be bringing the channel's programmes to our customers in spectacular HD ahead of its rebrand as I know they will be introducing yet more fantastic shows in the coming months. We are continuing to add more HD channels to our growing line-up, all of which are all available to our XL TV customers for no extra monthly fee." Laurence Dawkin-Jones, MD (UK) Universal Networks International, said: "Our SCI FI channel audience tend to be early adopters so they will love the opportunity to watch some of their favourite shows in fantastic High Definition. The picture quality will really make the most of our new look channel and the fantastic raft of UK premiere shows we've got coming up." |
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| 12/03/2010 | Watch the World Cup in HD with Virgin Media and ITV | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ITV1 HD comes to Virgin Media in April and adds to the growing HD channel line-up from Virgin Media. Virgin Media's digital TV customers will be able to enjoy football's World Cup in full High Definition (HD) glory as the ITV1 HD channel joins the company's TV line-up on April 2nd. Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, said: "ITV offers some of the UK's most loved programmes and we're delighted to add them to our growing HD channel line-up. This year's World Cup promises some unforgettable games and Virgin Media TV viewers will be able to enjoy every nail-biting, heart-stopping, breath-taking moment in stunning High Definition." Virgin Media's TV customers will be able to watch all of this summer's football World Cup in HD with all matches shown on ITV1 HD or the BBC's HD channel. Both channels are available on Virgin Media's digital TV platform and included in all of Virgin Media's TV packages at no extra cost. Peter Fincham, ITV Director of Television, Channels and Online, said: "The availability of High Definition content is something viewers have come to expect as standard and, as we approach the 2010 World Cup, I'm delighted that we are able to launch our new channel, ITV1 HD, on Virgin Media. All of our output will benefit from the stunning picture quality that High Definition offers, whether it's ITV's original drama, landmark factual shows, entertainment events or our live football." Some of ITV1's HD content will also be available on demand via ITV Net Player on Virgin Media's TV platform. The popular TV on demand service saw over eight million views of ITV content in January alone. Virgin Media continues to grow its HD line-up with HD channels from the BBC and Channel 4 available to all Virgin TV customers, while those from ESPN, FX, MTV Networks, National Geographic and LIVING (a Virgin Media exclusive) are included within the 'XL' TV package for no extra charge. Forthcoming HD channels from Eurosport, Discovery and E4 will be added to the 'XL' tier this spring, while Film4 HD (another Virgin Media exclusive) will be made available within all paid-for TV tiers. This is the fifth new HD channel Virgin Media has announced this year and the company plans to reveal more details about further launches in the coming months. Virgin Media already carries several hundred hours of HD programmes on demand, all ready to start at the touch of a button. This includes HD versions of popular films, as well as BBC iPlayer HD and full television series with Virgin Media's huge TV Choice on Demand archive. |
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| 08/03/10 | Film4 HD & E4 HD To Launch Exclusively On Virgin Media | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virgin Media today announced the upcoming launch of Film4 HD and E4 HD on its digital TV platform. Virgin Media's digital TV customers will be the first to watch Film4 in glorious High Definition (HD) as the channel launches exclusively on Virgin Media this summer.
Film4 HD will offer a daily line-up of fantastic movies. The channel will showcase the very best of British film-making, including Slumdog Millionaire, Mike Leigh's Happy Go Lucky and Ken Loach's Looking for Eric, as well as US independent films, Hollywood blockbusters, mainstream drama and comedy, foreign films and cult cinema alongside special features, in-depth interviews and exclusive programming, Film4 is the UK's favourite film channel. E4 HD offers hugely popular programmes including Glee, Skins and Hollyoaks in HD and simulcasts the E4 schedule. Alongside a choice of Channel 4 commissioned programmes, E4 HD also offers a range of films and well known US series including Desperate Housewives, 90210, and Ugly Betty in HD. E4 HD is expected to launch on Virgin Media in April. Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, said: "Channel 4 has a great track record in delivering innovative and compelling content and we're delighted to bring some of their very best films and most popular programmes to our customers in stunning HD. As more and more households become HD-ready, we're lining up content that makes the most of High Definition and are making HD available to all our of customers for no extra fee." Sarah Rose, Head of VoD and Channel Development at, Channel 4, said, "We're really excited to be launching Film4 HD and showcasing some fantastic British films to millions of viewers in High Definition. There's a growing appetite for HD and our line up of C4HD, E4HD and, now, Film4HD provides a great choice of HD content for viewers." E4HD and Film4HD join Virgin Media's growing HD line-up of C4HD, BBC HD, ESPN HD, FX HD, MTVN HD, National Geographic HD, LIVING HD (a Virgin Media exclusive) and the forthcoming Discovery HD and Eurosport HD channels. So far this year, Virgin Media has announced four new HD channels and the company plans to reveal more details about further launches in the coming months. Virgin Media already carries several hundred hours of HD programmes on demand, all ready to start at the touch of a button. This includes HD versions of popular films, as well as BBC iPlayer HD and full television series such as Six Feet Under, The Sopranos and Angels in America, with Virgin Media's huge TV Choice on Demand archive. |
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| 10/02/10 | Virgin Media customers to get Discovery HD channel and more HD programmes on demand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Virgin Media, the UK's leading entertainment and communications company, has confirmed its TV customers will soon be able to enjoy Discovery HD as well as more HD shows on demand, as part of the company’s growing High-Definition offering. Launching this spring, Discovery HD on Virgin TV will broadcast all day, every day and offer content from Discovery’s extensive collection of more than 1500 hours of HD programming. Discovery HD is full of entertaining shows about popular science, history, engineering, culture and natural history including Extreme Engineering, Mythbusters, NASA’s Greatest Missions and Bear Grylls: Born Survivor. This is Virgin Media’s second announcement about new HD channels this year and the company plans to reveal more details about further launches in the coming months. Virgin Media’s expanding HD line-up already covers a wide variety of branded entertainment, including drama, sport, documentaries and music, with channels from the BBC and Channel 4 available to all Virgin TV customers, as well as ESPN, FX, MTV Networks, National Geographic, LIVING (a Virgin Media exclusive) and the forthcoming Eurosport HD channel all available for no additional monthly fee to ‘XL’ TV customers. In addition, Discovery Networks and Virgin Media will make HD on demand content available, such as Deadliest Catch and Miami Ink. Virgin Media already carries several hundred hours of HD programmes on demand, all ready to start at the touch of a button. This includes HD versions of popular films, as well as BBC iPlayer HD and full television series via Virgin Media’s huge TV Choice on Demand archive. Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, said: “Discovery’s engrossing programming is all the more amazing in High-Definition and will make a compelling addition to our growing HD line-up. We’re adding several more HD channels in the coming months, which we will make available to our XL TV customers for no extra monthly fee. Compelling channels, combined with our vast collection of on-demand programming, will ensure that our customers have the best overall HD entertainment package available.” Dee Forbes, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Discovery Networks UK, said: “Virgin Media is a valued partner of ours and I am delighted that they have added Discovery’s UK HD channel to their portfolio. Discovery has been at the forefront of HD development across the globe and now offers HD services in 23 international markets. HD is increasingly popular with TV viewers and with over 1500 hours of HD content to choose from, Discovery gives consumers the opportunity to see many of their favourite shows in stunning high definition.” |
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| 01/02/10 | Virgin Media pioneers free landline to mobile calls | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Groundbreaking offer to save families hundreds each year on mobile calls
Launching on 1st April, Virgin Media will become the first phone provider in the UK to offer new and existing customers free home phone to mobile calls. In a pioneering move designed to give its customers even better value, over four million Virgin Phone customers will be able to call Virgin Mobile customers without charge, demonstrating unbeatable value and giving families and frequent callers a chance to save hundreds on call charges to mobiles each year. The new initiative, which comes as part of a variety of unlimited calls packages on all Virgin Phone tariffs, is designed to give customers a worry-free way of keeping families connected, and friends in touch with loved ones. With over £1.6 billion spent on calls each year from fixed line to mobiles in the UK, this groundbreaking offer will give Virgin Media home phone customers an unbeatable way to save with unlimited calls to Virgin mobiles, added to the unlimited voice calls to UK landlines already included in their packages. The move reflects Virgin Media’s focus on innovating in the mobile market and giving its customers more. With ten per cent of Virgin Media customers subscribing to 'quadplay' or four services, nearly half a million customers will be able to benefit immediately from free calls from their Virgin Phones to their Virgin Mobiles in addition to the free Virgin Mobile to Virgin Mobile calls they already benefit from. Alongside this, more than 4 million home phone customers will be able to make free calls to anyone with a Virgin Mobile phone. Graeme Oxby, executive director of mobile and telephony at Virgin Media said: “At a time when other providers seem keen on giving their customers less from their phone service, we are extremely proud to be leading the way in this field, being the first to offer free home phone to mobile calls. Our successful quadplay strategy has demonstrated customers are looking for exceptional value by bundling more services together, and this move to include free calls to mobiles with our home phone service underlines our commitment to ensure Virgin Media customers get the best deals possible.” |
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| 01/02/10 | Record breaking year for Virgin Media’s On Demand TV | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Virgin Media saw a record breaking 2009 with over 750 million on demand views, an increase of 50% on the previous 12 months. With hugely popular catch up content from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Virgin1 and LIVING, outstanding music success and blockbuster films, more people than ever are watching on demand. Over 59 per cent of Virgin Media’s 3.7 million TV customers are now regularly using the service, an increase of over a quarter of a million homes in a year. Cindy Rose, executive director, digital entertainment, at Virgin Media, said: “Virgin Media was the first company to bring true TV on demand to the UK and in doing so, we've helped redefine the viewing habits of millions of people by freeing them from the TV schedule.” With 76 million views in December alone, up 6% on the previous month, 2010 looks like being another record breaking success for Virgin Media. Since BBC iPlayer launched on Virgin Media in May 2008, its first TV platform, it has received almost 300 million views1. Viewing has accelerated from 10.5 million views in June 2008 to a record 20 million views in December 2009. ITV Player enjoyed an outstanding end of year performance with 25 million views over the last three months, thanks to The X Factor, I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and the enduring popularity of Coronation Street. Over 11 million movies were watched on demand throughout 2009. December saw a 29% increase on November, driven by some great family favourites including Harry Potter And The Half Blood Prince, shown on demand on the same day as the DVD release, and Monsters Vs Aliens as well as hit films Public Enemies, Moon, Bruno and The Hangover. With a 17% increase in views in December, music on demand’s popularity continues to grow. Lady Gaga returned to the top of the charts with her Bad Romance video alongside new releases from N-Dubz, Cheryl Cole, Chipmunk and Rihanna. Virgin Media also offers a hugely popular range of kids’ TV, with great Disney content, such as High School Musical, Camp Rock and Hannah Montana, series of Angelina Ballerina, Ben 10 and Dora the Explorer and programmes including Charlie and Lola and Postman Pat available as catch up TV. Kids programming generated almost 22 million views in 2009. On demand TV enables viewers to watch what they want, when they want, at the touch of a button. Virgin Media offers a vast library of thousands of hours of TV shows, movies, music and kids programming, all of which can be watched on your television. The most popular films on the Filmflex movie service in December:
The most popular music videos in December:
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