Nearly three weeks after Virgin Media customers lost 10 UKTV channels as a result of a rights row between the two, a new deal has been reached that will see the channels back where they belong.
Dave, Gold, Alibi… we’ve missed you.
The lost channels will be returning to Virgin Media as soon as possible – so if they’re not already back on your TV guides, they will be soon – after Virgin Media and UKTV reached a new long-term agreement to restore all of UKTV’s channels and services.
The new deal also comes with more HD programming, as Dave HD and Gold HD will be added to Virgin Media’s mix bundle, as well as five times the amount of on-demand programming too.
“Reaching this agreement reaffirms our longstanding partnership with UKTV and is fantastic news for our customers,” Virgin Media’s Chief Digital Entertainment Officer, David Bouchier, said in a statement.
“They can enjoy channels like Dave and Gold once again, including in HD, and also get more UKTV on-demand programming than ever before. On top of this, the channels we’ve recently added to Virgin TV will remain.
“We are sorry for what we know has been a frustrating time for our customers, but are pleased that our TV bundles are now even bigger. Our unwavering commitment to investing in incredible programming remains.”
UKTV channels include the likes of Dave, Gold, Drama, Alibi and W, which means Virgin Media customers have been missing out on re-runs of QI, Top Gear and Only Fools and Horses over the last three weeks, as well as programmes like Red Dwarf and Taskmaster.
UKTV is jointly owned by the BBC, which holds back video on demand rights to its programming as it instead sells them to services such as Netflix, and Virgin Media has also confirmed today (August 11) that discussions are ongoing directly with BBC Studios to explore bringing full BBC boxsets to Virgin TV.
“Viewers are at the heart of UKTV and we want to thank them for all of their support,” UKTV’s Simon Michaelides, Chief Commercial Officer, said.
“We know this has created real disruption for some of our viewers and we’re so sorry for this, but we are thrilled to be back, broadcasting our channels and shows to customers of Virgin Media once more.”
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