BBC iPlayer to stop working on some Virgin Media TV boxes
Virgin Media has offered a free upgrade to a select group of customers who still use a TiVo box.
When will BBC iPlayer stop working on old Virgin Media TV boxes?
BBC iPlayer will stop working on older TiVo boxes on Wednesday (July 23).
So customers will need the upgrade before then.
A Virgin Media spokesperson said: 'We have written directly to the small proportion of customers with a TiVo box, who have used BBC iPlayer within the past six months, to inform them that their box will not support iPlayer from 23 July.
"As we have previously communicated directly to relevant customers, anyone with a TiVo box is able to upgrade to a new Virgin TV 360 box at no extra cost.'
Customers who own an old TiVo box have been offered a free upgrade to the Virgin TV 360 box (pictured). (Image: Virgin Media)
Virgin Media O2 continues 3G switch off
Meanwhile, Virgin Media O2 continued its 3G switch off last week.
The UK's major mobile providers, including EE, Vodafone and Three, have gradually been shutting off all 3G services over the past few years.
Virgin Media O2 is the latest provider to switch off its 3G network so it can focus on "faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient" 4G and 5G networks.
Its 3G network switch-off began on April 2, with the city of Durham the first area affected.
While last Wednesday (July 16), Virgin Media O2 switched off its 3G network in:
Norwich
Telford
Guildford
📡 We're continuing our 3G switch-off programme.
Next up: Norwich, Telford, Guildford & Torquay.
This move frees up spectrum for faster, more reliable #4G & #5G – keeping our customers better connected.
📱 Read more: https://t.co/dAw44ovtL6 pic.twitter.com/5j1GBg58Rc — Virgin Media O2 News (@VMO2News) April 22, 2025
The 3G network in Torquay will also be shut off on August 4, Virgin Media O2 previously revealed.
The rest of the UK is set to follow by the end of the year, Virgin Media O2's Chief Technology Officer, Jeanie York, said.
RECOMMENDED READING:
The switch off is also set to impact other mobile providers which use Virgin Media O2's network, including:
Giffgaff
Sky Mobile
Tesco Mobile
Any customers who don't upgrade to a 4G or 5G device before 3G is switched off in their area will still be able to make voice calls and send text messages, but will be unable to use mobile data.
If you are unsure whether or not your device will lose mobile data access when Virgin Media O2's 3G network is switched off, visit the Virgin Media O2 website (a link to whcih can be found above) and look at its list of devices that are not compatible with 4G and WiFi Calling.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Daily Mail
BBC iPlayer will STOP working for thousands of Brits tomorrow – here's how to check if you're affected
It is the streaming service used by over four million people around the UK. But from tomorrow, BBC iPlayer will stop working for thousands of Britons. Starting on Wednesday 23 July, the streaming service will no longer be supported on Virgin Media 's older TV boxes. That means anyone still using the TiVo box will not be able to access BBC iPlayer. Customers affected by the changeover will be eligible for an upgrade to the new TV 360 box at no extra cost. If you don't use BBC services, you don't necessarily have to upgrade, but it's likely that the TiVo box will lose access to more services in the future. The media giant says that it has written directly to customers who have used a TiVo box to access iPlayer in the last six months. However, due to the box's age, Virgin Media says the changeover will only affect a small number of users. Any Virgin Media customers still using the TiVo box (pictured) will lose access to BBC iPlayer starting from tomorrow. Here's what you can do if you are affected The TiVo is the only Virgin Media service which will be affected by this change, and the V6 and Virgin TV 360 box will continue to offer access to iPlayer as normal. Virgin Media first introduced the TiVo box over a decade ago in 2010, offering the ability to record content, watch on-demand services, and pause live television. But the once-popular device has long since been surpassed by more recent offerings. Virgin Media hasn't confirmed exactly why BBC iPlayer will no longer be available, but it is likely that the older hardware can't support upgrades to BBC's platform. Over the last few years, Virgin Media has also been taking a number of steps to upgrade its hardware offering. Most recently, that included the release of the compact Stream box - Virgin Media's answer to the popular Amazon Fire Stick. These small TV streaming boxes include subscriptions to services like Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and Paramount+, as well as regular TV services. Unfortunately for some users, that shift means support is slowly being pulled from older devices. The upside is that all affected customers will get a free TV 360 box, which was released in 2020. This offers a significant upgrade from the TiVo box, including a more modern interface, better performance, and support for BBC iPlayer and other streaming apps. To get your free upgrade, any affected customer simply needs to contact Virgin Media via the contact details listed on the email warning them of the changes. Virgin Media has confirmed that there is no expiry date for this offer. A Virgin Media spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We have written directly to the small proportion of customers with a TiVo box, who have used BBC iPlayer within the past six months, to inform them that their box will not support iPlayer from 23 July. 'As we have previously communicated directly to relevant customers, anyone with a TiVo box is able to upgrade to a new Virgin TV 360 box at no extra cost.' This comes as the Virgin Media O2 group becomes the most recent mobile provider to shut down its 3G services. The switch off started in Durham on April 2 earlier this year and will continue across the UK throughout the year. This comes as Virgin Media O2 becomes the latest company to shut off its 3G connection in the UK. The next place to lose connection will be Torquay on August 4 Norwich, Telford, and Guildford all lost 3G connection last week on July 16. The next place to lose 3G connection will be Torquay on August 4. The group says this changeover allows them to offer a faster and more reliable 4G and 5G service instead. This will also affect customers using Giffgaff, Sky Mobile and Tesco Mobile, which use Virgin Media O2's network.
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
How to get Proton VPN on your Amazon Fire TV Stick
The best thing about an Amazon Fire TV Stick dongle is that you can bring your entire home telly setup anywhere with you and plug it into almost any screen. Dumb hotel TV with no streaming services? No longer an issue. But even with a Fire Stick plugged in, some apps just won't work abroad. BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4 and Now TV can all tell you're not in the UK, so you won't be able to catch up on Love Island, Mix Tape or the Premier League action while you're away. That's where one of the best VPNs for Fire Stick come in. Proton VPN is one of the top VPNs around, and one of the few with a Fire TV Stick app you can actually download from the Appstore. It lets you spoof your location, so UK apps like iPlayer and ITVX don't twig that you're sunning it up in Spain. While Proton does have a free version, it's the paid tier (£3.59, that will let you stream UK content abroad. Here's how to get Proton VPN on your Fire TV Stick. How to get Proton VPN on your Fire TV Stick In our tests, Proton VPN let us access Now TV, BBC iPlayer, ITVX and Channel 4, as well as global streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ when connected to a UK server, meaning we could catch up on content from home while travelling abroad. Before you get started, make sure you've already got a Proton VPN subscription. A 24-month subscription costs £86.16, which works out to about £3.59 per month. Once that's sorted, follow the below set-up instructions:
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
‘Final warning' to over 40m Brits as BBC iPlayer to stop working TOMORROW – check if you're eligible for a free upgrade
Scroll down to find out if you are affected OFF AIR 'Final warning' to over 40m Brits as BBC iPlayer to stop working TOMORROW – check if you're eligible for a free upgrade Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VIRGIN Media customers are urged to check their TV equipment as BBC iPlayer will stop working on select boxes from tomorrow. The popular streaming service will no longer be supported on Virgin's older TV boxes from Wednesday July 23. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A shop sign for Virgin Media in central London Credit: PA:Press Association 2 The BBC iPlayer logo is displayed on a smartphone screen Credit: Alamy Virgin has told customers with its older TiVo boxes that they will need to upgrade. The Sun previously revealed the company's plan to drop support last month. They said the change only affected a "small proportion" of customers - who have been written to regarding the change. Households with the older boxes are eligible for a free upgrade to a newer model. But as of tomorrow, customers with these older TiVo boxes will no longer be able to use iPlayer on them. MAKING THE SWITCH Those with V6 and Virgin TV 360 boxes will still be able to access the streaming service as normal. The platform allows TV fans to catch up on popular BBC shows from Doctor Who to EastEnders. A Virgin Media spokesperson previously told The Sun: "We have written directly to the small proportion of customers with a TiVo box, who have used BBC iPlayer within the past six months, to inform them that their box will not support iPlayer from 23 July. "As we have previously communicated directly to relevant customers, anyone with a TiVo box is able to upgrade to a new Virgin TV 360 box at no extra cost." It comes as Virgin Media O2 has become the latest mobile provider to shut off its 3G services. The company says it will allow them to offer "faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient" 4G and 5G. Customers in Torquay should take note, as the 3G network there is due to be switched off on August 4. It will also affect Giffgaff, Sky Mobile and Tesco Mobile customers - as they all use Virgin Media O2's network.
