PBS seals UK cable deal with Virgin

PBS’s UK service will be carried on cable after the US public broadcast service inked a carriage deal with Virgin Media.

PBS will launch on Virgin on November 1 and the deal also allows the MSO to make PBS content available on its on-demand services and on mobile and connected devices.

PBS announced it would launch in the UK in August, at which point it had agreed a carriage deal with DTH platform operator BSkyB, but not Virgin Media.

Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media said, “This new channel opens up a whole new world of fresh, high-quality programming that’s never before been seen in the UK.”

Richard Kingsbury, general manager PBS (UK) said, “We are delighted to secure distribution with Virgin Media. It gives PBS the best chance of reaching the widest audience.”