Virgin Media signs new ITV agreement

ITV has reached an agreement with Virgin Media to continue to make its channels available to the company's 4 million TV customers for the next three years.

The deal, which ends more than a year of discussions that were acrimonious at times, comes after ITV delivered an ultimatum to Virgin Media to reach a deal this week or potentially face a blackout of shows such as Love Island and Coronation Street.

More info at https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/jul/27/virgin-media-reaches-deal-itv-access-channels?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Five HD channels going, six arriving

HD channels that will disappear on Sunday with the departure of the UKTV channels from Virgin Media:

• W HD (191)
• Dave HD (194)
• Alibi HD (200)
• Eden HD (249)
• Good Food HD (280)

New HD channels arriving are:

• Paramount Network HD (124)
• Premier Sports (127 - subscription free for two months)
• Quest HD (194)
• C&I HD (200)
• History HD (245)
• Love Nature HD (247)

I'll miss Eden HD, which was a regular destination in our house.
That's five gone, six incoming. There are more SD channels going and arriving - get the full list of arrivals here: https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/News/UKTV-Channels-List/ba-p/3775318
It's interesting to note that the two sides in the dispute can't even agree as to the reason for the channels departing. Virgin waffle on about the On Demand rights not being available but UKTV point to Virgin offering a lower price for the channels. I suspect the truth is somewhere between the two. I also think this could be a big problem for both companies if the dispute rumbles on into the autumn - maybe we will see a speedy resolution and then we'll have some additional HD channels as well as old favourites returning?

UKTV channels to disappear from Virgin Media from Sunday

Virgin Media’s four million pay-TV customers face being unable to watch UKTV’s 10 channels, which include Dave, Gold and Drama, from Sunday as a dispute over video on demand rights to shows comes to a head.
Full story here https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/jul/19/virgin-media-customers-to-lose-uktvs-10-channels-in-rights-row?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

BT Sport 4k UHD on Virgin Media from July 30th

A new multi-year agreement will make BT’s 4K channel available to Virgin TV Full House and VIP bundle customers at no extra cost, from July 30th.
Virgin and BT’s partnership has been extended in a multi-year agreement spells good news for sport fans who own a 4K TV, Virgin TV V6 box and subscribe to Virgin TV’s Full House or VIP bundles - it will see them automatically gain the BT Sport 4K UHD channel (531). New and existing Virgin TV customers signed up to its Player or Mix bundles will be able to add all BT Sport channels, including the 4K one, to their package for £18 per month.
BT Sport’s coverage includes UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Premier League matches, the FA Cup, European Rugby Champions Cup and MotoGP - some of which will be offered in 4K.
Here's the official Virgin Media Press Release