Virgin Media is adding on-demand access to a selection of free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels on its TV platform, allowing customers to watch shows outside the linear schedule at no extra cost.
From today, Virgin TV homes can use the operator’s On Demand app or the main Search function to access catch-up content from 11 FAST channels for the first time: Next Up Live Comedy, Love Pets, Haunt TV, Homes Under The Hammer, Baywatch, Real Crime, Real Wild, History Hit, Wonder, The Chat Show Channel and TRACE Sport Stars.
Additional FAST content from third-party services such as Pluto TV – including Catfish, 5 Cops and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – and Rakuten TV, with channels such as Rakuten TV Action and Rakuten TV Top Movies, remains available via their dedicated apps on the Virgin TV platform.
Virgin Media already carries 35 FAST channels, including British Screen Classics, U&Transport, Inside Crime and Haunt TV, with the company promising further expansion of both its linear FAST line-up and associated on-demand libraries.
David Bouchier, Chief TV and Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2, said the move would make “unmissable content even easier to enjoy” by bringing catch-up-style functionality to some of its most popular FAST channels, and confirmed the operator plans to “add more fantastic channels” and generate more VOD content over time.
