Virgin Media O2 is partnering with A+E Networks EMEA, All3Media International, Banijay Rights, Blue Ant Media, Extreme International, Fremantle, Little Dot Studios and Tastemade to launch a selection of new Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channels, available to all Virgin TV customers at no extra cost from next month.
The dedicated channels will appear within Virgin Media’s Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) alongside its current linear channel line-up, but will provide an alternative experience to traditional TV, with programme schedules based on a single show or theme.
The introduction of FAST on Virgin TV demonstrates Virgin Media O2’s ambition to enhance its TV offering to meet the evolving viewing habits of its customers and provide a library of streamed content that complements its existing free to air and Pay TV offering. The new channels will bring the familiarity of traditional broadcast into a streaming setting, providing a convenient way for people to watch a selection of popular TV shows without the need for a subscription.
As part of the new channel line-up, Virgin TV customers will gain access to a variety of new FAST channels including:
| Channel |
Name |
Virgin TV Service |
Description |
| 220 |
Inside Crime |
360, Stream, V6 |
Get behind the headlines of some of the UK’s most infamous crimes. Shows include Crimes That Shook Britain and Britain's Darkest Taboos. |
| 221 |
Real Wild |
360, Stream, V6 |
From lush rainforests to sparse deserts, our planet is an extraordinary place teeming with life & beauty. Join us on Real Wild to explore the wonders of earth - and the cute, colourful & wild animals inhabiting it. |
| 222 |
Mystery TV |
360, Stream, V6 |
Delve into a world of mystery, the supernatural and the unexplained. Shows include Weird or What? with William Shatner and UFOs Declassified. |
| 223 |
HauntTV |
360, Stream, V6 |
Love scares and ghosts that go bump in the night? You’re gonna love this channel. Shows include Paranormal Survivor and Bogeymen. |
| 224 |
History Hit |
360, Stream, V6 |
The home of History. Share our enthusiasm for History capturing key moments in world history and linking them to present day. |
| 230 |
Homes Under the Hammer |
360, Stream, V6 |
Follows home buyers as they uncover the various tricks of the property auction trade. |
| 231 |
Great British Menu |
360, Stream, V6 |
Top chefs from across the UK put their hearts on a plate and showcase amazing culinary talent. |
| 232 |
Tastemade |
360, Stream, V6 |
Upgrade your taste through fantastic food, travel and lifestyle shows. Including Britain's Biggest Adventures with Bear Grylls. |
| 242 |
NextUp Live Comedy |
360, Stream, V6 |
The home of UK stand-up comedy. From the Edinburgh Fringe to London's Comedy Store. |
| 243 |
The Chat Show Channel |
360, Stream, V6 |
Your favourite stars on the sofa! Shows include Chatty Man with Alan Carr and Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. |
| 244 |
Baywatch |
360, Stream, V6 |
On a Los Angeles beach, a team of lifeguards led by Lieutenant Mitch Buchannon saves lives, deals with personal tragedies, fights crime, and participates in extraordinary adventures every day. |
| 250 |
Deal or No Deal |
360, Stream, V6 |
26 sealed briefcases – ranging from a penny to $1 million – contestants must decide whether to accept an offer of cash from the mysterious entity known only as "the Banker," in exchange for what might be contained in the contestant's chosen briefcase. |
| 251 |
Fear Factor |
360, Stream, V6 |
Imagine a world where your greatest fears become reality. Contestants battle in extreme stunts designed to challenge the contestants both physically and mentally. |
| 252 |
Wipeout Xtra |
360, Stream, V6 |
Crashes, smashes and hilarious mud splashes are on the cards as twenty contestants take on one of television's largest and most extreme obstacle courses. |
The new channel launches will see Virgin Media work with Amagi and Magnite, including its video ad server SpringServe, to manage and develop FAST services on Virgin TV, with the opportunity for Virgin Media and its channel partners to monetise FAST through targeted, dynamic advertising.
David Bouchier, Chief TV and Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2, said:
We’re enhancing our entertainment offering to give our customers the best of the latest TV innovation – streaming themed channels, otherwise known as FAST channels. Through this launch, we’re reimagining the traditional TV format, making our FAST channels visible in the TV guide alongside all our other pay and free channels.
Now more than ever, Virgin TV offers a one-stop shop for brilliant programming curated in one easy and convenient place. The introduction of FAST on our platform extends the high-quality viewing experience available to our customers, providing traditional broadcast with Video on Demand, apps, and now linear streaming services all at their fingertips.
Following launch, Virgin Media O2 will continue to evolve its FAST portfolio, adding further channels in Entertainment to keep the line-up fresh and in line with popularity and seasonal relevance, with plans to introduce FAST to other genres.
