Virgin TV Anywhere launched
Virgin Media has launched Virgin TV Anywhere, a new ‘cloud-based’ entertainment service exclusively for Virgin TV customers giving them the flexibility to enjoy their favourite TV content on computers, laptops, and Apple tablets smartphones.
Putting customers in control of their TV viewing and planning, Virgin TV Anywhere takes advantage of Virgin Media’s cutting edge home entertainment services, calling on its expertise in television, broadband and mobile to deliver a compelling new TV service that can to be enjoyed anywhere in the UK, even beneath the capital’s streets using Virgin Media’s public Wi-Fi on London Underground.
With two-thirds of Virgin Media’s TV customers regularly using Virgin’s TV On Demand service, Virgin TV Anywhere now gives customers the ability to enjoy their favourite channels wherever they want too. Embedded with social media functionality, the service will allow users to share their thoughts on their favourite TV shows and includes a fantastic new app for mobile/tablet devices alongside a brand new online destination for laptops and PCs. Virgin TV Anywhere is available to all Virgin TV customers at no extra cost.
The service comes with the ability to stream live TV, with up to 45 channels to choose from at launch, depending on a customer’s TV package and method of access. The line-up includes a wide range of popular channels covering entertainment, kids, sport, news and factual, music and movies, and includes access to premium channels such as Sky Sports or Sky Movies for subscribers to these channels. Virgin Media will be adding further channels to the line-up in due course.
Virgin TV Anywhere also features up to 4,000 hours of TV available to watch On Demand at any time, including Sky On Demand, featuring shows from Sky 1 and Sky Living, as well as Sky Sports and Sky Movies for those subscribing to these services. The service also includes integrated access to catch-up TV services from BBC, ITV, 4oD and Demand 5 while kids will also have a range of great shows from channels including Disney, Disney XD, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr.
Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, said: “The world of digital entertainment is moving so fast, consumers are always looking for the next ‘big thing’ to take advantage of the features and connectivity built into today’s gadgets. Virgin TV Anywhere builds upon our fantastic TV service, blending in the best of TiVo and our expertise in broadband and mobile, to bring customers a compelling entertainment experience to enjoy whenever they want, wherever they are – all at no extra cost.”
Customers will be able to access Virgin TV Anywhere through the web or through a mobile and tablet app if they have Virgin Media TiVo. The online service is available to all Virgin TV customers, with extra features for TiVo users to manage their boxes through a range of exclusive tools such as remote record and managing ‘My Shows’. The mobile and tablet app, initially available on iPad, iPhone and iPod, offers the ability to fully manage TiVo boxes including scheduling recordings and deleting shows. The app also allows customers to rate shows with TiVo’s trademark Thumbs Up/Down, view their suggested shows, and also acts as a touch/gesture-based remote control when at home.
The service is launching initially on iPad, iPhone and iPod and available to download from the App store, with Android support to follow in 2013. Up to two devices (including laptops or computers) can be registered at any one time with customers able to change their registered devices on a monthly basis.