Virgin Media Signs Warner Bros Content Deal

Virgin Media has signed a major content agreement with Warner Bros which will see US shows like Friends and ER made available to subscribers via its on-demand service.

Over three million cable customers will be able to access more than 500 episodes of top-rating US shows such as Nip/Tuck and The OC.

This agreement follows recent content deals with Channel 4, HBO (see HBO Launches On Virgin Media VOD Service), Buena Vista and Alliance Atlantis. The episodes will initially be available to watch on Virgin Central, Virgin Media’s TV-on-demand channel which launches today.

Steve Burch, president and CEO of Virgin Media, said: “This is a huge deal and our customers have a feast of entertainment to look forward to. Warner Bros has many of the best US shows available and this is our biggest content investment.

“The agreement will add hundreds of hours of must-see shows to our on-demand library, which customers can easily access and control at any time of day or night.”

This deal was negotiated on behalf of Warner Bros, by Christopher Law, who serves as senior VP and managing director, UK, Warner Bros International Television and Digital Distribution.

Josh Berger, president and MD of Warner Bros Entertainment UK, added: “We’re pleased to be partners with Virgin in this great new service. Virgin Media provides another platform that allows customers to conveniently view our TV shows whenever they want and however they want, and we are looking forward to working with Virgin as their service evolves further.”

It was revealed yesterday that the BBC is beginning a research trial on Freeview of a video on demand service which will utilise the platform’s interactive capabilities (see BBC Begins Research On Freeview VOD Service).

Virgin Media launched earlier this month (see Virgin Media Launches Today), and has already managed to ruffle the feathers of established players such as BSkyB (see Branson Vs Murdoch: Round Three).

Virgin Media: www.virginmedia.com