There's no shortage of exciting new telly for Virgin Media viewers to enjoy. Hot on the heels of the arrival of HBO Max and Sky Atlantic after 15 years of exclusivity for rival Sky set-top boxes, Virgin Media users have unlocked 3 brand-new channels courtesy of Rakuten at no extra cost.
For those who don't know, Rakuten is one of Europe’s leading streaming platforms. It offers a wide range of shows, films, and documentaries with no subscription necessary. Rakuten is available across smartphones, tablets, Smart TVs, consoles, and more, offering quick access to rent or buy titles from Hollywood and beyond.
The three new channels on Virgin Media are ad-supported, providing an array of entertainment throughout the day at no extra cost.
Known as FAST channels, or Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television, this category is one of the fastest growing in British telly, with the likes of Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, and Tubi, offering vast catalogues at no cost.
FAST channels are forecast to reach around 20% of the ad-supported video market in the UK by 2027, quadrupling revenue. And these new additions from Rakuten are just the latest in a string of hits for Britons.
The new arrivals are...
- Rakuten TV Drama (Ch462): Customers can enjoy popular movies including The Big Short, Gosford Park and JFK
- Rakuten TV Comedy (Ch463): From Big Momma’s House to The Internship and Bedazzled, viewers can sit back and enjoy beloved comedies
- Rakuten TV: Sci Fi (Ch464): From The Fountain to Predestination there’s a whole other world for customers to discover with the Sci-Fi channel
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
With the latest refresh to the lineup on Virgin Media, viewers now have access to 40 FAST channels, including British Screen Classics, Inside Crime and U&Transport.
Viewers can also dive into hundreds of TV shows, episodes, and movies on demand via the Rakuten TV app – at no extra cost – which is accessible via the Virgin TV app store.
Discussing the new arrivals, Chief TV and Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2 David Bouchier said: “We know that amazing content and value are a priority for our customers, and the launch of these exciting new streaming channels provides exactly that – unmissable entertainment, including great Hollywood blockbusters, at no extra cost.
"From drama to comedy and everything in between, our line-up of streaming channels offers something for everyone, and these exciting additions will provide our customers with everything available from Rakuten TV, all in one place."
Sidharth Jayant, Chief Product Officer at Rakuten TV, said: “The launch of three additional FAST channels on Virgin Media TV marks the next phase of our ongoing partnership, giving viewers across the UK access to a broader range of streaming channels. Building on our existing presence on the platform, this extension also highlights the role of Rakuten TV Enterprise in enabling partners to scale and distribute free-to-view entertainment through FAST.”
The new additions to Virgin Media’s TV lineup can be found on the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) and come as part of the company’s expanding FAST channel offering, providing an alternative and complementary experience to traditional linear TV. Virgin Media O2 will continue to evolve its FAST channel offering, adding more fantastic channels that will provide customers with even greater choice.
As the name suggests, Rakuten TV Drama brings together high-quality dramas from the United States, UK, and mainland Europe
|VIRGIN MEDIA O2 PRESS OFFICE
This is how Virgin Media describes the new lineup and the shows and movies featured...
Rakuten TV Drama (CH 462)
Ready to be gripped? This channel brings you a mix of high-quality dramas from the US, the UK and Europe, including Oscar winners and huge box office hits.
JFK
Kevin Costner stars in this compelling drama that challenges the official explanation of John F Kennedy’s assassination in 1963 and questions the motivations of everyone involved, from the gunman to the FBI.
The Big Short
What’s the real story behind the financial crash of 2008? Did anyone see it coming? And who profited from it? Complex but never less than gripping, The Big Short is the story behind the crisis. Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale and Steve Carell star
Gosford Park
A twisty, satisfying country-house murder mystery with an Oscar-winning script by Julian Fellowes and an incredible cast including Helen Mirren, Maggie Smith, Michael Gambon and Charles Dance.
Rakuten TV Comedy is packed with feel-good movies to keep a smile on your face
|VIRGIN MEDIA O2 PRESS OFFICE
Rakuten TV Comedy (CH 463)
It’s a festival of funny, feel-good movies to keep a smile on your face featuring plenty of Hollywood’s most famous faces.
The Internship
When two salesmen (Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn) lose their jobs, they find they must compete for internships with much younger and better suited applicants. Can they use their street smarts to get their lives back on track?
Bedazzled
A lovelorn IT worker does an ill-advised deal with the Devil, who promises him seven wishes in exchange for his soul. What could go wrong? Fun fantasy romance with Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley.
Big Momma’s House
Trying to unearth information about a bank heist, FBI agent Malcolm Turner (Martin Lawrence) goes undercover as a grandmother, in this outrageous comedy that was a huge box office hit and spawned two sequels.