BBC iPlayer to stop working on some Virgin Media TV boxes
The change is only expected to impact a small number of customers, with a "vast majority" already owning newer models, including V6 and TV 360, which will be unaffected.
Virgin Media has offered a free upgrade to a select group of customers who still use a TiVo box.
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)
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:
📡 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
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:
Virgin Media customers can access more than 100 hidden TV channels for free
Brits urged to retune TV immediately as channel changes made in Freeview update
The switch off is also set to impact other mobile providers which use Virgin Media O2's network, including:
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
The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
O2 announces massive change to free service which could see customers miss out on exclusive benefits and deals
MOBILE network O2 is urging millions of customers not to miss out over a massive change to its Priority service. The company is making a huge change to the free service in August. 1 This will affect how customers access its perks and offers. The mobile network has announced it will be removing the Priority section from its website to make the O2 Priority app the primary way to access exclusive benefits and deals. The change aims to help improve the user experience by consolidating access to Priority in one place. The change means customers will have to download and use the app instead. Date for switch The switch will take place from Monday, August 11. From this date onwards O2 customers will no longer be able to access Priority via the O2 website. In a message to customers, O2 said: 'From 11 August 2025, you won't be able to access Priority through our website. Don't miss out on exclusive rewards and experiences - download the priority app today.' O2 Priority is a loyalty programme that provides exclusive rewards, offers and experiences for O2 and Virgin Media broadband customers only. Hundreds of Oasis fans left heartbroken after ticket sites time out at checkout in booking 'bloodbath' The rewards are updated every month and include things such as money off Disney+ subscriptions. There are also discounts on travel, food and drink deals, and prize draws. O2 Priority also grants customers early access to thousands of gigs and events across the UK. Buying gig tickets This includes access up to 48 hours before the general sale of huge events. O2 has confirmed that customers will continue to be able to access O2 Priority pre-sale tickets on Ticketmaster following the change on August 11. Customers need to be logged into their O2 Priority account and will be redirected to the Ticketmaster website to complete their ticket purchase. In a statement, O2 explained: 'To access O2 Priority pre-sale tickets on Ticketmaster, firstly, make sure that you're signed into your O2 Priority account, then click on your desired link in O2 Priority and it will take you to Ticketmaster, where you can book and pay for your tickets.' The O2 Priority App is free to download from the app store, or by texting 'PRIORITY' to 2020. How to avoid the ticket rip-off and beat the queues Oasis fans blasted Ticketmaster for slyly doubling prices as millions queued for the checkout. Ticketmaster called it ' dynamic pricing ', where prices surge with demand. Consumer group Which? has since said the lack of warning about the hikes could have breached consumer law. One way to avoid surge pricing is by looking for pre-sales, which are available to a select group of fans before they are offered to the general public. You will have to sign up to get access. Liz Hunter, of money expert. com, said: 'Pre-sales sell tickets at their standard price so you won't be surprised by dynamic pricing, and once they're gone, they're gone. 'Fans who have signed up to the mailing list or even made a purchase of merchandise or a CD, for example, will get first dibs on any pre-sales.' Some reward schemes, such as O2 Priority, Three+ and Vodafone's VeryMe, will usually offer pre-sales around 48 hours before general release. Credit cards including American Express and Capital One also have offers or pre-sales for their customers. Sign up to newsletters and mailing lists for your favourite artists, shows and venues to be the first to know of any new ticket sales. TOP TIP: If there is massive demand, team up with friends to get through the online queues. James Daley, from the campaign group Fairer Finance, says it's easier to nab a bargain when events do not sell out. He added: 'Secondary sites like Twickets often have tickets below face value as the day of the event approaches. "People's plans change and if they haven't sold their tickets, they will often be prepared to accept less than they paid. "There's no harm in making a cheeky low ball offer, too.'
The Sun
3 days ago
- The Sun
On Universal Credit? How you can save £100s on your household bills this summer
YOU can save thousands of pounds on your household bills this summer if you're on Universal Credit. The benefit is paid out monthly to people who are struggling with day-to-day living costs - but it also entitles claimants to extra help. 1 If you're wanting to save, here are the things you should know about… Cheaper broadband - save £190 a year Some broadband providers offer cheaper tariffs for people on benefits. For example, Virgin Media Essentials has a tariff for £12.50 a month - a huge £137.88 cheaper per year versus a regular Virgin package. BT Home Essentials costs £15 per month for fibre and calls. According to Uswitch, the average broadband bill in the UK is £26.39/month – and switching to the cheapest social tariff could save you £196.68 per year. You should be able to get a social tariff if you're on Universal Credit Pension Credit or equivalent benefits. Council tax reduction - save up to £2,280 If you're on Universal Credit you can apply for a reduction to your council tax bill - and you might not even have to pay at all. Every local authority sets its own rules but many help out low-income households by reducing council tax bills significantly. In Manchester, households on Universal Credit can get up to 100% off their council tax. Meanwhile Bristol offers up to 90% for most working-age households on benefits. The average Band D council tax in England for 2025-26 is now £2,280 - so if you don't have to pay council tax, that's an indicator of how much you could save. Am I entitled to Universal Credit? According to the GOV website, if you're on a low income or need help with your living costs, then you could be entitled to Universal Credit. To claim, you must live in the UK, be aged 18 or over (with some exceptions if you're 15 to 17), be under State Pension age, and have £16,000 or less in money, savings and investments. Other circumstances are if you are out of work, or unable to work, for example because of a health condition. Water bill help - save hundreds Water companies also offer social tariffs or capped rates for those on Universal Credit and similar benefits. The schemes vary by supplier and the amount you can save will also depend on your usage. But there is the potential to save hundreds of pounds this way. For example, Affinity Water caps bills at £119.50/year for eligible households. United Utilities offers up to 50% off for households with high usage or medical needs. The average water bill in England and Wales is roughly £603 per year, according to Discover Water - so again that gives you an idea of how much you could save. Energy grants - save up to £1,500 Several energy suppliers offer grants to help customers on low incomes clear energy debts or cover bills. British Gas has an Energy Trust offering grants of up to £1,500 even if you're not a British Gas customer. You can apply online at Next Energy Fund provides help with white goods and bill support. These grants don't need to be repaid but you'll usually need to show proof of income, provide meter readings and explain your situation. Household Support Fund – save up to £500 The Household Support Fund is a pot of cash that the Government has allocated to council across England. It's aimed at helping out families in need, but the payouts and eligibility vary by each council. Some offer food vouchers or help with energy bills, while others give out cash grants. Brent Council offers up to £500 for struggling families, while Doncaster pays between £100 and £300 to families on Universal Credit. Ribble Valley gives food vouchers worth £200 to £500 to households earning under £35,000. You'll need to check your local authority's website to find out what it offers and whether you could be eligible. The easiest way is to Google your council name plus "Household Support Fund". Cheaper phone bills - save hundreds You can also get social tariffs with your mobile phone provider. These 'social' or 'essential' tariffs offer the same service as regular packages but at a significantly lower price. They typically come with no long-term contracts, a guarantee of no mid-contract price hikes, and two of the three providers even include free roaming in Europe. O2's Essential Plan costs just £10 a month and gives you 10GB of data with unlimited calls and texts. Meanwhile, SMARTY's Social Tariff provides unlimited data, calls, and texts for £12 a month.
Telegraph
3 days ago
- Telegraph
The proof that remote workers clock off early on Fridays
Remote workers are clocking off at 3pm on a Friday, claiming they deserve to enjoy the summer, data has revealed. There is an an 8pc dip in internet traffic between 3-5pm at the end of the week during the summer months compared with the winter, broadband data released by Virgin Media showed. At the same time nearly 61pc of workers think they have earned the right to log off early after four days of work. The same survey by Virgin Media revealed that one in 10 admitted taking their laptops to the pub to get their weekend started early. However, the majority (59pc) don't feel any guilt giving themselves an early clock-off, and believed dropping a few hours on a Friday makes them work harder during the week. It comes amid struggling public sector productivity, which fell by 0.3pc in 2024, according to the Office for National Statistics. The Telegraph revealed in April that more than 2,000 public sector workers were allowed to work from foreign countries. Yet the majority of civil servants believe remote working has had a positive impact on Whitehall, according to a survey by YouGov. Bosses have started to order staff back to the office, with companies such as Amazon requesting five days a week in person. Yet despite this, councils and charities are trialling four-day weeks with no pay reduction, with supporters claiming it can deliver more efficient working and attract better candidates for jobs. This month South Cambridgeshire became the first council to permanently adopt a four-day week last week, including for bin collectors, council tax administrators and social housing officials. It is understood that as many as 25 councils are in talks with the Four Day Week Foundation, the campaign pushing for the change, despite warnings that reduced working hours do not represent the best possible value for money for residents and taxpayers. In January the Four Day Week Foundation announced that 200 UK companies had signed up for a permanent four-day week. Separately, an investigation by The Telegraph found that charities were reducing the working hours of their staff. Non-profit businesses making the change include the British Red Cross, which received £32m in government funding last year. It is trialling compressed hours, allowing some UK-based staff to work 32 hours rather than 35 a week. If passed into law Labour's Employment Rights Bill will make the right to request flexible working the 'default', building on reforms under the previous Tory government that made flexible working available from the first day in a job. Data from LinkedIn showed that 40pc of jobs advertised across the UK last November were hybrid roles, compared to fewer than one in three postings in Germany and France offering some sort of remote working. LinkedIn said it was 'highly likely' that Britain would remain the capital of working from home in Europe for the foreseeable future. Jeanie York, of Virgin Media O2, said: 'Our network traffic analysis is revealing changing workplace habits in real time as the nation takes advantage of long summer Fridays.'
