Film4 and E4 HD channels to launch on Virgin Media

Film4 HD and E4 HD will launch on Virgin Media’s digital TV platform this summer.

Film4’s high definition channel, which is launching exclusively on Virgin, is set to offer a daily line-up of films including Slumdog Millionaire, Mike Leigh’s Happy Go Lucky and Ken Loach’s Looking for Eric as well as Hollywood blockbusters, US independent films and foreign films.

E4 HD will offer Virgin customers a chance to see programmes including Glee, Skins, Hollyoaks, Desperate Housewives and Ugly Betty in high definition from 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, added: “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.”

Virgin Media’s catch-up TV platform already hosts C4HD, BBC HD, ESPN HD, FX HD, MTVN HD, National Geographic HD, LIVING HD and the forthcoming Discovery HD and Eurosport HD channels.