Virgin Media Picks Up Star Trek for On-Demand

LONDON, November 21: The
U.K.’s Virgin Media has inked a deal with CBS Paramount International
Television to make hundreds of hours of programming from the various Star
Trek franchises available
on-demand.

Virgin Media had already
picked up the Star Trek franchise
for its recently-launched linear entertainment channel, Virgin1. Star Trek:
The Next Generation, Star Trek:
Deep Space Nine, Star Trek:
Voyager and Star Trek:
Enterprise will be available to
subscribers of Virgin Media’s XL digital TV service via the TV Choice On-Demand
section of the EPG.

All Virgin Media digital
subscribers will also have free access to episodes broadcast in the last seven
days on Virgin1 via the Catch-Up TV On-Demand section of the EPG, and selected
episodes will also be made available free via the hybrid Virgin Central
channel.

The agreement is effective
immediately and the programming will be introduced progressively to the
on-demand service over the coming months.

“Virgin Media is already
the undisputed leader of the on-demand revolution,” said Malcolm Wall, Virgin
Media’s CEO of content. “We have the most comprehensive on-demand service in
the U.K., and adding the world’s premier sci-fi franchise to our lineup adds
even more value for our customers.”

“I’m thrilled that we have
secured Star Trek to bolster
Virgin1’s on-demand presence,” added Celia Taylor, the director of programs for
Virgin1. “Virgin1 has promised to offer a multi-platform experience to its
viewers, and this deal delivers on our commitment to offer top-drawer content
whenever our viewers want to watch it.”

Armando Nuñez, Jr., the
president CBS Paramount International Television, commented: “Through this
on-demand offering via Virgin Media, we're delighted to allow viewers in the
U.K. another way to stay engaged with the Star Trek series telecast on Virgin1.”

—By Ned Berke