Virgin Media has today created a channel for YouTube in its Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), enabling Virgin Media TiVo® customers to access the video community’s online content from listings that have until now been available only to traditional linear broadcast channels.
YouTube is the first app to be included in a TV guide and is available from today to all Virgin Media TiVo customers. In addition, Virgin Media has integrated YouTube clips and channels more deeply in TiVo’s ‘My Shows’ and ‘Search and Browse’ areas, giving viewers the widest choice in how to access entertainment. The app is free to access and can be launched by scrolling through the channel listings and selecting number 198.
Peter Chapman, associate director of content acquisition at Virgin Media said: “As the first and fastest growing next generation TV service, Virgin Media TiVo is transforming the way we watch television. The distinction between different types of entertainment – from channel schedules to On Demand TV, from linear broadcasts to online content – is blurring all the time. By giving YouTube a place in our channel listings we’re breaking the mould of the traditional EPG and giving our customers even more choice in how they can watch the great content on our platform.”
Francisco Varela, Global Director Platform Partnerships at YouTube said: “We’re always looking for new ways to bring the exciting content generated by our creator community to viewers and are delighted that the YouTube app now has a place in Virgin Media’s channel listings.”
As the world's most popular online video community, YouTube enables millions of people to discover, watch and share originally-created videos. In addition to being available through Virgin Media’s TV guide, the YouTube app can be found within the ‘Apps and Games’, ‘My Shows’ and ‘Search & Browse’ areas on Virgin Media TiVo. YouTube search results are even instantly available on every programme information page as bonus features, allowing viewers to easily become immersed in bloopers, fandom content and more, all directly related to the show they’re interested in.
Virgin Media is the first provider of all four broadband, TV, mobile phone and home phone services in the UK.
The company’s cable network – the result of multi-billion pound private investment – delivers ultrafast broadband to over half of all UK homes, with speeds of up to 120Mb, as well as market leading connectivity to thousands of public and private sector organisations across the country.
Virgin Media has developed the most advanced interactive television service, bringing together broadcast TV, thousands of hours of on demand programming and the best of the web in a single set-top box powered by TiVo. The company was the first to offer HD TV and 3D on demand to millions of British households.
The world’s first virtual mobile network was launched by Virgin Media and it is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.
Virgin Media is a part of Liberty Global plc, the world’s largest broadband communications group. Together Virgin Media and Liberty Global serve 25 million customers across 14 countries, helping connect people to the digital world and enabling them to discover and experience its endless possibilities.