UKTV Play on-demand service to launch on Virgin Media

Liberty Global-owned UK cable operator Virgin Media has signed a deal with channel provider UKTV to deliver a new on-demand service, UKTV Play, to its subscribers.

UKTV Play will make programmes for across UKTV’s channel line-up available on demand, including content from channels Dave, Watch, Alibi, Gold, Drama, Eden, Good Food, Home, Really and Yesterday. The new brand will launch in December.

UKTV on demand programmes will be available to Virgin Media customers subscribing to the M+ TV tier or above.

UKTV Play will make series of shows including Crackanory, Dave Gorman’s Modern Life is Goodish, Choccywoccydoodah: Starstruck and David Attenborough’s Natural Curiosities available to Virgin Media customers, along with new series and UK premieres including Monty Python’s Best Bits from Gold and I Survived Evil from Really.

“Around a fifth of all the TV our customers watch is at a time that suits them. People want control and choice over what to watch and when and we are giving them that. We have led the development of on demand TV in the UK and now, with the addition of hundreds of great UKTV programmes, offer more entertainment than ever before,” said Stephane David, executive director of content at Virgin Media.

Dan Fahy, director, commercial and business development, UKTV, said, “UKTV is committed to making its content as easily accessible as possible for viewers and the addition of the network’s full portfolio of channels to Virgin TV’s on demand service marks the next step on this journey. From next month, viewers can access UKTV Play via their red button, enabling viewers to catch up on programmes from across all 10 of our channels or access box sets of UKTV’s award-winning shows, in just one click.”