Virgin Media offers blockbuster TV upgrade that's available now for free
If you are bored with the current crop of content on your TV screen and you happen to use Virgin Media's telly platform, there's good news. The telecoms firm has just announced it's dishing out two new channels to customers, and the best part is... this TV upgrade is totally free.
Virgin says the changes will arrive directly via your set-top box and include British Screen Classics (Ch 450) and wedotv movies (Ch 451).
These new FAST channels will show content 24 hours a day, seven days a week and now join other free advert-supported services on Virgin.
'Virgin TV is home to the best in entertainment and more choice for our subscribers. We offer enhanced value with fantastic on demand and channel content at no extra cost, including two brand-new streaming movie channels," said David Bouchier, Chief TV and Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2.
"On top of the existing streaming channels available to Virgin TV customers, they now have even more choice and 24/7 access to exciting movies for free.'
If you want to know what's included on these channels, we've got full details below.
British Screen Classics (Ch450): This new service offers a multitude of film and TV gems originating from the iconic classic film libraries of ITV STUDIOS and STUDIO CANAL brought together in one dedicated FAST channel. The channel will take viewers on a journey through Britain's great cinematic heritage by delving deep into the history of legendary British film studios and production houses to provide a 24/7 stream of adored titles such as This Sporting Life, Doctor in the House, Heaven's Above! and Clockwise. From comedy to horror, war, adventure, drama, and romance; every theme and genre is covered.
wedotv movies (Ch451): A contemporary film channel with a catalogue of over 500 movies across all genres. The channel has genre themed stunts each day such as Romance Mondays and Sci-fi Wednesdays, as well as special seasonal events tied to key calendar moments including Halloween and Christmas.
If you have Virgin TV, you shouldn't need to touch your box or retune it with the upgrade happening automatically.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
23 minutes ago
- Time Out
Don't miss out on the ultimate south coast sporting event of the summer
In preparation for the most exciting racing on water returning to UK shores this July, Portsmouth is gearing up to host its first-ever version of the long-awaited return of the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix across one action-packed weekend. Serving as the seventh stop of the Rolex SailGP Championship's 2025 season, there's a whole lot to play for – and even more to enjoy! From July 19 to July 20 2025, the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix will feature 12 national teams racing identical F50 foiling catamarans shore-side to the finish line – hitting speeds of up to 100kph! Home team – Emirates Great Britain – is led by Olympic gold medalist Dylan Fletcher, alongside three-time Olympic medalist and strategist Hannah Mills, you're in for some star-studded action from the get-go. SailGP's unique offering of close-to-shore stadium viewing allows fans the opportunity to get up close and personal to the action, with epic grandstand seating and a buzzing atmosphere in the Race Stadium and with Portsmouth's iconic Solent setting the ultimate backdrop for the high-speed, high-tech racing, there is no better place to experience this new era of Great British Racing. Fan of live music? SailGP's Aprés-Sail experience comes to life across the weekend with live entertainment by British singer-songwriter and pop star Tom Grennan on Saturday and legendary DJ Pete Tong headlining on Sunday, providing an atmosphere like no other. Artists will perform post-race alongside some truly unforgettable waterside entertainment, but the best part? All entertainment and live music is included in the ticket price, so you and 20,000 other racing fans can live your best lives all weekend at no additional cost! High-adrenaline global racing championship with a side of Aprés-Sail? Sign us up! The only catch? Tickets – that include a Waterfront Premium Lounge offering – are selling fast, so get yours before they go!
Telegraph
an hour ago
- Telegraph
Love Island to air on Disney+ as ITV races to win over younger viewers
ITV has struck a deal to show its programmes on Disney+ as the British broadcaster scrambles to attract younger viewers in the digital age. Disney+ subscribers will be given access to ITV programmes, including popular favourites such as Love Island and Endevoursr, as well as original dramas such as Mr Bates vs The Post Office and A Spy Among Friends. Under the deal, a selection of Disney content will also be available on ITV's streaming platform ITVX. This will include hit series The Bear and Only Murders in the Building, as well as selected seasons of reality favourites such as The Kardashians and family titles including Lilo and Stitch: The Series. The tie-up, which launches next week, underscores efforts by ITV to reach new audiences amid an exodus of viewers to streaming rivals, particularly among younger audiences. ITV bosses will be hoping that showcasing programmes on Disney will build exposure to Gen Z viewers who may otherwise shun conventional television. For Disney+, which will primarily promote early series of programmes aimed at adults, it could also help to build subscribers among ITV's older audience. Karl Holmes, general manager of Disney+ in Europe, said: 'I get to put great adult-skewing general entertainment content from Disney in front of an audience who typically are less receptive to Disney+ as a platform. 'ITVX has a heartland of over-45s and, in particular, over-55s; our heartland is under-34s. That older audience on ITVX tend to consider Disney as a very strong brand, but a brand which is more for families and kids.' 'Mutually beneficial alliance' Kevin Lygo, ITV's head of media and entertainment, said: 'Disney are fantastic partners with a brilliant breadth of content. This mutually beneficial alliance allows us to show our complementary audiences a specially selected collection of titles, regularly updating, that gives a flavour of the range in our respective offerings. 'For us, this deal means even more great content for viewers on ITVX, and even more opportunity for viewers to find and enjoy our distinctive titles and services.' ITV launched its streaming service at the end of 2022 in an effort to adapt to shifting viewing habits and reduce its reliance on declining linear television advertising revenues. But the company is still grappling with a tough advertising market and has begun wielding the axe on staff and daytime programming as part of a wider cost-cutting drive. Increasingly fierce competition is fuelling greater collaboration between traditional broadcasters, as well as new deals with streaming rivals. ITV, Channel 4 and Sky have agreed to combine their online advertising businesses as they attempt to build scale. Meanwhile, French broadcaster TF1 has struck a first-of-its-kind deal to air its channels on Netflix. The Disney deal comes amid discussions over a potential break-up of ITV, with suitors circling the broadcaster's booming production division. Banijay, the French television giant behind Big Brother, MasterChef and Peaky Blinders, and All3Media, the maker of shows including The Traitors and Race Across the World, are among the parties interested in ITV Studios. The decline of traditional television has also prompted speculation about more radical consolidation that could lead to mergers between British broadcasters. Sir Peter Bazalgette, the former ITV chairman, this week told MPs that the UK had been 'very slow' to develop a strategy for the future of television and predicted that the country would have no more than two public service broadcasters in a decade's time. The tie-up between ITV and Disney builds on the existing collaboration between the two media companies. ITV's studios division is behind recent Disney hits including Rivals and Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles de Menezes, while the broadcaster is the free-to-air home for Disney+ shows such as Renegade Nell and the upcoming Under the Bridge. The streaming deal will be conducted as a programming swap. ITV will retain advertising revenues from Disney shows on its streaming platforms. Disney+, which operates several subscription tiers including an ad-funded one, will also keep any revenues from the ITV programmes. Disney is understood to be in active discussions with broadcasters in a number of other markets to sign similar deals. Mr Holmes said: 'We think this is a great example of Disney being supportive of free-to-air broadcasters and their long-term sustainability.'
Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
British public more familiar with celebrity trivia than personal family details, study finds
British public more familiar with celebrity trivia than personal family details, study finds A poll of 2,000 adults found just 29% know who their mum first dated, and even fewer know about their dad's early love life (19%) A survey of 2,000 adults revealed that merely 29% are aware of who their mother first dated, with even fewer knowing about their father's early romantic history (19%). However, 34% could correctly name Chelsy Davy as Prince Harry's first prominent girlfriend. Meanwhile, 26% knew Wayne Rooney's first car – a Ford SportKa – yet only 21% could identify their mum's initial vehicle. The research was commissioned by National Rail, representing the rail industry, which has introduced a fresh version of '36 Questions' to encourage people to discover more about their loved ones and engage in more meaningful discussions with friends and family. Psychologist Dr Madeleine Mason Roantree, collaborating with the brand, explained: "Many of us assume we know our loved ones better than we actually do. "But research, and everyday experience, show us that we often have blind spots and gaps in our understanding of those around us." The study also revealed that many haven't explored fundamental questions about themselves, with 40% unaware of how they received their name. Yet 47% know how at least one of the Beckham children got their names – with Brooklyn leading the list (37%). Article continues below 57% want to know more about their loved ones. (Image: PinPep ) Nevertheless, failing to find time for personal questions can result in regret later in life – amongst those who've lost a parent, 30% wished they had enquired about their grandparents. Additionally, 27% yearned to discuss their happiest memories with them. While a majority of 57% are keen to learn more about their family members, a fifth of the population (21%) are at a loss for how to initiate these meaningful conversations. The study also highlighted that train travel is seen as one of the top settings for fostering connections with others. This preference is attributed to the minimal distractions and the opportunity for quality time (59%), positioning train journeys as prime occasions for strengthening relationships. Television personalities George and Larry Lamb have given National Rail's '36 Questions to Connect' a go, acknowledging that their busy lives seldom allow for in-depth discussions. Larry commented: "I'm so lucky to have a very close relationship with my kids but life's so busy, it's often hard to find the time to sit down and have a proper chat, connect, and have those more deep and meaningful conversations - but on the train you can. Article continues below "I really enjoyed playing 36 Questions to Connect with my son George, reminiscing on past experiences and sharing a few stories that we didn't know about each other. I didn't realise he didn't actually know what my first job was, and there's a few things I learnt about him too."
