Two new streaming channels now available to Virgin Media’s cable TV and IPTV customers, as two other services leave the guide with no notice.
- Channels dedicated to 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Pointless now live
- Deal or No Deal and Mythbusters channels removed
Virgin Media O2 has announced the immediate launch of two new streaming channels, available at no extra cost to customers.
For fans of Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats, a new channel with nothing but episodes of the show is now live on channel 250.
Meanwhile, BBC One’s Pointless is now available continuously on channel 251.
Both streaming channels are a result of a partnership between Banijay Rights, a division of the independent production company behind both shows, and Virgin Media O2.
According to Virgin Media, the channels are automatically available via its Virgin Media TV360 and Stream boxes.
The new channels join over 30 streaming channels already available to Virgin TV customers. Streaming channels include U&Transport, British Screen Classics and Inside Crime. Known in the industry as Free, Ad-Supported Television (FAST) channels, many of the channels are also distributed for free on various smart TV platforms.
Announcing the launch, David Bouchier, Chief TV and Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2, commented:
“We are launching two brand new streaming channels to give our customers even more of the best entertainment from Virgin TV, at zero extra cost. With 8 out of 10 Cats and Pointless, comedy and quiz show lovers have their favourite content available on demand and 24/7. The channels join our growing FAST programming on Virgin TV which ensures there really is something for every type of viewer to enjoy, any time of the day or night.”
Despite the boast of a growing line up of FAST channels, Virgin Media was less keen to highlight that both channels come at the expense of two existing channels.
8 Out of 10 Cats has replaced the former Deal or No Deal channel on 250. Pointless has replaced Mythbusters on channel 251.
Streaming channels are provided to customers as “a convenient and complimentary experience in addition to traditional linear TV”, according to Virgin Media.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: BBC / Remarkable Entertainment, a Banijay Company