Virgin Media TiVo adds red button functionality

Virgin Media has now added red button functionality to its TiVo service, starting with Sky Sports red button services.

Sky Sports and Sky Sports HD subscribers on TiVo are now able to take full advantage of interactivity provided by multiple background events, allowing customers to enjoy more of their favourite sports through alternative views.

On Saturday 3rd March Football First made its debut through the red button on TiVo, giving football fans the ability to catch extended highlights from Premier League games.

Sky has also developed interactive red button services for the launch of its Sky Sports F1 channel, which Virgin Media digital TV customers will also be able to take advantage of.

Simon Hunt, Product Director of TV at Virgin Media said: “With so much excitement building for the biggest sporting events this year we know our customers are going to love the extra dimension these interactive services will bring. From clips and interviews to selectable camera angles and even red button exclusive shows, we’re thrilled to offer Sky Sports subscribers on Virgin Media new ways to experience their favourite sports with even more depth than ever before.”

Red Button interactive services form part of an exciting roadmap of new features and functionality destined for TiVo throughout the year. Virgin Media is working with a variety of partners for a range of new apps and next generation interactive services to make the most of the advanced features and connectivity built into the TiVo service.

The previous omission of the red button service was a bone of contention for early adoptors of the TiVo service, who were missing the added multi-screen viewing opportunities around the likes of Wimbledon and Glastonbury on the BBC. However red button as a concept is not thought to exist in the US where TiVo originates, so was never part of the set top box offering or technical set-up.