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Enjoy Virgin TV Anywhere(ENP Newswire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) ENP Newswire - 08 November 2012 Release date- 07112012 - Virgin Media today 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, tablets and 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 UK1, 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 taking control of their telly viewing through the largest and most advanced TV On Demand service in the UK, 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 devices2 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 channels3 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 Demand4 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 to keep them entertained. 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 home5. For further information on Virgin TV Anywhere, head to http://anywhere.virginmedia.com. Notes to Editors 1 Streaming services on Virgin TV Anywhere can be used anywhere in the UK using a fixed or wireless broadband connection. WiFi recommended for mobile devices. Streaming over 3G is not supported. Whilst there is no charge to use the Virgin TV Anywhere service for Virgin TV customers, charges may apply for using public Wi-Fi or mobile networks. 2 Launching initially on iPad, iPhone and iPod and available to download from the App store. Android support to follow in 2013. Up to two devices (including laptops or computers) can be registered at any one time. Customers can change registered devices on a monthly basis. 3 Initial live streaming channel line-up below. Channel access is based on the TV package customers have and the method of access (online or through the mobile/tablet app). Certain channels may not be available on mobile/tablet devices at launch due to rights restrictions. Virgin Media will be adding further channels to the line-up in due course. Channel Online App Channel Online App 5* * * Sky 1 * TBC Boomerang * * Sky Living * TBC British Eurosport * * Sky Movies Action & Adventure * N/A Cartoon Network * * Sky Movies Classics * N/A Channel Five * * Sky Movies Comedy * N/A CNN * * Sky Movies Crime and Thriller * N/A Disney Channel * * Sky Movies Drama and Romance * N/A Disney Junior * * Sky Movies Family * N/A Disney XD * * Sky Movies Indie * N/A Eden * * Sky Movies Modern Greats * N/A ESPN * * Sky Movies Premiere * N/A ESPN Classic * * Sky Movies Sci-Fi and Horror * N/A Eurosport 2 * * Sky Movies Showcase * N/A Five USA * * Sky News * TBC GOLD * * Sky Sports 1 * N/A Heat * * Sky Sports 2 * N/A Kerrang! * * Sky Sports 3 * N/A Kiss * * Sky Sports 4 * N/A Magic * * Sky Sports F1 * N/A Smash Hits * * Sky Sports News * TBC The Box * * Nat Geo * * Nat Geo Wild * * PBS * * SET * * 4 TV on Demand content only available online at launch. Access to TV on Demand services is planned for mobile/tablet devices in 2013. TV on Demand Aardman Animation Disney Original Movies MTV Bio Disney XD National Geographic Cartoon Network ESPN Classic Nickelodeon Crime & Investigation E! Entertainment Nick Jr Discovery FX Pop Disney Channel HISTORY Tiny Pop Disney Junior Military History US Boxsets Sky On Demand including Sky Movies and Sky Sports for subscribers to these services Includes integrated access to catch-up services from BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, 4oD and Demand FIVE 5 The mobile/tablet app can be used to browse and select content, manage recordings as well as viewing live TV. To use suggestions and thumbs ratings and remote control functionality the Virgin TV Anywhere app needs to be paired to customers' TiVo box(es) and the mobile/tablet device needs to be connected to the same local area network as the TiVo box. In some cases customers may require additional networking equipment such as Powerline adaptors - more information at www.virginmedia.com/powerline. -/- Parts of the user interface design and flow for the online component of Virgin TV Anywhere have been created in conjunction with Red Bee Media, one of the world's leading media companies providing multi-platform technology and creative solutions to broadcasters, content rights holders, platform operators and brand owners. About Virgin Media Virgin Media is the first provider of all four broadband, TV, mobile phone and home phone services in the UK. The company's cable network - the result of a multi-billion pound private investment - delivers ultrafast broadband connections to over half of all UK homes, with speeds of up to 100Mb, and is being expanded to reach thousands more people across the country. Virgin Media has developed the most advanced interactive television service, bringing together broadcast TV, thousands of hours of on demand programming and the best of the web in a single set-top box powered by TiVo. The company was the first to offer HD TV and 3D on demand to millions of UK households. Virgin Media also operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world's first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country. Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market and the London Stock Exchange (VMED). For journalist enquiries contact Press Office t: 0207 909 2225 e: [email protected] [Editorial queries for this story should be sent to [email protected]] ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2012 Electronic News Publishing - |