Virgin Media in Deal to Bring BBC iPlayer to TV

LONDON, April 30: Virgin
Media is teaming with the BBC to bring the online catch-up iPlayer service to
its 3.5 million cable-TV customers.

Viewers using the BBC
iPlayer on Virgin Media will be able to watch full-screen pictures at full
quality on their television set without the need for downloads. Beginning
today, the cable platform’s customers will be able to catch up on their BBC
shows by pressing the red button on any BBC channel. Access to the BBC iPlayer
through Virgin Media's EPG menu is due this summer.

The BBC iPlayer delivers
more than 350 hours of TV programs from the past seven days, including episodes
of Eastenders, Doctor Who, Gavin and Stacey and Top Gear.

Malcolm Wall, the CEO of
content at Virgin Media, said: “We're delighted to be the first TV platform in
the U.K. to offer our customers BBC iPlayer as part of our on-demand service.
The enormous success of iPlayer online has demonstrated the desire TV viewers
have for viewing quality programs at a time that suits them, and now it's
available from the comfort of the living room. Virgin Media is proud to be
working with the BBC to continue to lead this revolution in TV viewing.''

—By Mansha Daswani