Virgin Media Launches Today
This morning saw the launch of the Virgin Media brand, as the great and the good of the media world braved the snow and ice to hear what Sir Richard Branson and pals had to offer.
Virgin Media’s new television channel Virgin Central, which it has branded “revolutionary”, combines ordinary television channel choice with TV-on-demand.
Having struck deals with distributors such as Buena Vista and Alliance Atlantis, Virgin Central will offer shows such as The OC, Nip Tuck, West Wing, Little Britain, Grey’s Anatomy, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Steve Burch, the president and CEO of Virgin Media, said: “Virgin Central will offer a feast of hit shows in one place and is set to become the destination of choice for TV lovers.
“By combining brilliant content with the unrivalled versatility of our technology, we have created something that no other company provides. Virgin Central will make TV-on-demand the simple, compelling service it should be.”
The newly launched Virgin Media, which is made up of NTL:Telewest and Virgin Mobile, will offer a bundle of broadband, television, and mobile and home telephone services.
Virgin’s bundled package will go head-to-head with Sky’s own offering, See, Speak, Surf, which has a £20 connection fee with customers also having to pay BT line rental of £11 per month (see Sky To Launch Triple Play Bundle).
Virgin Media also announced plans to extend its reach nationally by rolling out services into non-cable areas in 2007, which it says will enable it to reach 97% of UK households by the end of the year.
Branson said: “For the first time, there is a single brand set to provide a more extensive range of television entertainment, broadband and communication services than previously offered by anyone in the UK.
“Our transition to Virgin Media has been under way since last July and will continue over the coming months as we roll out an outstanding 21st century customer experience in home entertainment and communications.”
Virgin Media customers will be able to choose from two products for £20, three for £30 and four for £40.
One Virgin package aimed at more affluent customers, will offer a top of the range digital TV service, home phone and broadband package for £85 a month (see Virgin Media To Target The Affluent).
Steve Burch, chief executive officer, said: “We’ve been working towards this day for a long time and the transformation of our business is already well advanced.
“Looking forward, we have a world of opportunity before us. Consumers are ready for something genuinely different. As a company and as individuals, their needs and aspirations will remain at the heart of everything we do.”
NTL:Telewest purchased Virgin Mobile in April last year for £962 million, forming the nation’s first quadruple play broadcaster to offer TV, broadband, fixed line and mobile telephony (see NTL Confirms £962m Virgin Mobile Takeover).
Virgin Media: www.virginmedia.com