Virgin Media and UKTV, the broadcaster behind the Dave, W, Gold and Alibi channels, have signed a “landmark deal” which will give the cable firm’s customers access to more than 10,000 hours of catch-up content and TV box-sets.
The deal covers original commissions as well as acquired content and will see top shows, including Taskmaster, Nev Calling India, Quantico, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, Only Fools & Horses and Sherlock, join Virgin Media’s on demand library.
As well as giving Virgin Media customers access to more UKTV shows than their Sky, TalkTalk and BT counterparts, the deal also includes the launch of the updated UKTV Play app on Virgin Media’s TiVo platform.
Simon Michaelides, UKTV’s Chief Commercial Officer, said, “Virgin Media is one of our most valued customers and we’re delighted to have partnered with them to expand and enhance our pay TV offer in this way.
“Virgin Media subscribers now have unique access to the most comprehensive on-demand offer from UKTV anywhere in the market.
“This step-change in the volume of on-demand content is part of our long term commitment to growth in pay TV and we look forward to expanding on this in the future.”
David Bouchier, Chief Digital Entertainment Officer, Virgin Media, added, “Throughout this year we’ve been expanding the fantastic range of on demand programming which lets our customers watch what they want, when they want.
“We’re delighted to be building on our leadership by giving our customers more UKTV shows than are available on any other platform.
“With the arrival of the UKTV Play app and the doubling of catch-up content our customers can access more of the entertainment they love in the way they want.”
UKTV says the extra content will be available “later this year”.