UKTV has agreed that all of its linear channels should be made available on the Virgin TV Anywhere service. Watch, along with Gold, Alibi, Dave, Eden, Really, Drama, Good Food, Home, and Yesterday can now be viewed on PC, iOS and as of Thursday Android mobiles and tablets. The deal sees UKTV extend its long term partnership with Virgin Media and is the first time that all of UKTV’s linear channels are available as part of a multiplatform service.
Keith Porritt, UKTV’s Executive Director Commercial said: “The extension of our partnership with Virgin Media is a mark of UKTV’s commitment to providing viewers with even more access to our award-winning and increasingly popular channels. We have committed to spending £110 million on-screen this year, making our channels stronger and more exciting, and now Virgin Media customers will be able to view these channels anywhere they like.”
Scott Kewley, Director of Digital Entertainment at Virgin Media said: “We’re delighted our customers are the first to get to watch every UKTV channel wherever they are. With the arrival of these new channels, Virgin TV Anywhere is far and away the leading service for those who want to take the best of their entertainment with them out of the home at no extra cost.”
UKTV has made a significant investment in local programming, which includes its home-grown commissions such as its first original scripted sitcom You, Me & Them on Gold, acclaimed entertainment series The Roux Scholarship on Watch and Choccywoccydoodah: Starstruck on Good Food, which features Hollywood royalty including Whoopi Goldberg and Jackie Collins.
UKTV’s increased investment in programming has allowed the broadcaster to take bold and innovative risks with its home-grown commissions such as its first original scripted sitcom You, Me & Them on Gold, acclaimed entertainment series The Roux Scholarship on Watch and Choccywoccydoodah: Starstruck on Good Food, which features Hollywood royalty including Whoopi Goldberg and Jackie Collins. The network has also recently announced its first move into scripted drama on Watch with Legion, a new 10-part series from the pen of Tony Jordan, and continues to invest in premiere US content such as JJ Abrams’ upcoming supernatural thriller Believe.