The Berkshire village of Woolhampton has been chosen by Virgin Media broadband to trial their pioneering new service which will be delivered using telephone poles. By connecting the village’s homes directly to their fibre optic network, Virgin Media will be increasing broadband speeds to the rural community ten times faster than the previously relied upon copper network. Alongside this ultrafast broadband, the villagers of Woolhampton will also be offered the Virgin Media cable TV service which includes 5,000 hours of catch up TV and on demand content alongside the usual popular channels.

The trial is scheduled to run for six months and is part of Virgin Media’s plan to bring next generation services to people who live beyond the reach of their fibre optic network. Virgin Media is also planning to extend it’s network to more than 1million more homes through the deployment of their award winning service via the new telegraph pole system.

Chief executive officer of Virgin Media, Neil Berkett, said -

This unique trial will allow us to understand the possibilities of aerial deployment and may provide an exciting new way to extend next generation broadband services. With everything from BBC iPlayer to YouTube increasingly demanding reliable ultrafast broadband speeds, we’re keen to ensure that all communities, in towns, cities and villages right across the UK, stand to benefit.

With Virgin Media’s extensive network already reaching 12.6 million homes in the UK, this old school method of data transfer could be the perfect transport system to reach those parts that the fibre optic cable cannot. Thanks to years of telecommunications via telephone poles across the country, this is a fantastic way to ensure that more homes across the UK are given the opportunity to enjoy Virgin Media’s ultra fast service, and not just those who live in built up towns and cities. The trial will start this month and if successful could see up to one million extra homes benefiting from speeds of up to 100Mb.

> > Click here to order Virgin Media broadband

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Virgin Media TV is offering some exclusive ‘love in’ entertainment this Valentine’s Day with their On Demand service. For what many people see as the most romantic day of the year (not by me I hasten to add, as everyday should be like Valentine’s Day!), Virgin Media has scheduled a whole host of romantic TV and movies for those who are planning on a cosy night in.

February, the month of lurrrrrrrvvve, marks the return of classic dramas such as Wuthering Heights alongside and Jane Austen’s Emma. Plus there will be romantically themed episodes of Friends, Gossip Girl and ER available at the touch of a button. Romantic film highlights include Love Actually and Head Over Heels, plus there’s the chance to catch up with season three of Skins which starts this month.

So if you’re planning an evening of decadence with your special Valentine, be sure to choose Virgin Media TV as your accompaniment to the wine and chocolates.

> > Click here to order Virgin Media TV

Virgin Media Cable TV is proud to announce an agreement to host Eurosport HD in the coming months. Launching in April, Eurosport HD will bring Virgin Media customers an exclusive and extensive range of sports to watch in superb high definition. These will include the Tour de France, the French Open tennis championship, plus loads of motorsport action like the European rounds of World Superbikes and the World Touring Car Championships.

Eurosport’s Director of Distribution & Development, Jean-Thierry Augustin, said  -

We have received excellent feedback from viewers about the high quality of Eurosport’s HD output and so are delighted to complete our portfolio of world class events for Virgin Media’s customers. In a competitive sports market we are very pleased to have found a very positive on-going carriage arrangement with long term partners Virgin Media which strengthens further the availability of our flagship channel British Eurosport and our ever more relevant content line on British Eurosport 2.

Virgin Media will now be able to offer Eurosport to its 3.7 million TV customers across the UK as part of their ever growing range of HD channels.  The launch also signals the first of several new high definition channels planned for release on Virgin Media TV this year, all available at no extra cost for customers on the Virgin Media XL TV deal.

With the new addition of Eurosport, Virgin Media now boasts 8 HD channels Covering a wide range of drama, documentaries, music, and of course sport. Plus with several hundred hours of HD on demand, customers can choose from a huge selection of popular films through Movies on Demand and PictureBox, as well as a great choice of full series in HD on BBC iPlayer.

Director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, Cindy Rose, said -

We’re really excited about the spring launch of Eurosport HD and the wider roll-out of several new HD channels for our customers in the coming months. With HD ready TVs now common in UK homes, the combination of HD channels as well as our pioneering TV on Demand service gives Virgin TV customers a huge range of HD programming with the unique flexibility to enjoy HD content whenever they want, at the touch of a button. With all the regular channels you’d expect, and a service ready for 3DTV too, Virgin TV is without doubt the most compelling TV offer on the market.

> > Click here to order Virgin Media TV

The Virgin Media bundle package will soon feature brand new Tivo technology to take their latest generation TV to the next level. Already a huge hit in  the U.S, Tivo developed the first ever digital video recorder, and has agreed to exclusively partner Virgin Media in helping strategically advance their TV service.

The agreement will see TiVo develop a television and broadband interactive interface to help power Virgin Media’s new HD boxes. The exclusive deal will also see Virgin Media become the exclusive distributor of TiVo services in the UK.

CEO of Virgin Media, Neil Berkett,  said

TiVo’s proven track record of innovation, strength of its patented technology and experience in developing best in class user environments, make it an ideal strategic partner for Virgin Media as we move aggressively to bring our next generation TV service to market. The superiority of our fibre optic network combined with TiVo’s capabilities, will allow us to offer consumers the most significantly advanced and compelling TV service available in the UK , and we believe will do to the TV market what Virgin Media has done to thehigh speed broadband market.

The new TV platform will allow Virgin Media to offer a superior viewing experience whilst allowing customers to search and discover ‘video on demand’, helping to create the ultimate home entertainment system.

The first Virgin Media/TiVo co-branded product is due for release in 2010, and is sure to be a huge hit in the UK after the success of Virgin’s quad play broadband, TV, phone and mobile bundle. Virgin Media TV is already the UK’s most advanced ‘on demand’ service and with the addition of Tivo to the team, it looks like their portfolio is only going to go from strength to strength.

> > Click here to order a Virgin Media bundle

Virgin Media is offering a special Christmas treat to all new customers before the mince pies are even out of their wrappers! So why not cross the nuts and satsuma off your festive wish list, and add a Virgin Media bundle package that now comes with the first 2 months absolutely free!

That’s right, all new customers who sign up for a triple bundle package (with phone line) before the end of 31st December 2009 can now receive the first 2 months of their 12 month contract totally gratis, just in time for all the Christmas films and programming! You can hand pick your own package to fit your lifestyle, but must contain at least -

• Large Broadband (up to 10Mb fibre optic broadband)
• Medium + TV  (over 65 digital channels)
• Medium Talk Weekends (unlimited weekend UK land line calls)

All Virgin Media triple bundle packages come with free installation, worth £35. Plus if you don’t need the broadband, you can also receive the first 2 months free if you order just a TV package and phone line before the end of the year. So why not treat yourself to a great selection of home entertainment for all the family this Christmas, at a price that’s right for you.

> > Click here to order Virgin Media today

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Living TV will for the first time be available in glorious HD from Tuesday 6th October 2009, only with Virgin Media TV. Living, home to the Next Top Model shows, Most Haunted,  Private Practice and the excellent Ghost Whisperer, will be joining Virgin Media’s already impressive line up. Programmes already available in HD include BBC, Channel 4, ESPN, FX, MTV and National Geographic, with more channels in the pipeline soon to been shown in crystal clear high definition.

Chief commercial officer at Virgin Media, Mark Schweitzer, said -

Our customers watch LIVING more than any other digital TV channel, so I’m delighted they will exclusively be the first to watch it in spectacular HD. LIVING has a powerful brand and a breadth of programming that works so well in HD. Our TV service continues to grow as we focus on content that both complements our existing line-up and benefits most from being shown in HD.

Virgin Media also has over 300 hours of HD content available through their on demand TV and BBC iPlayer, alongside over 60 HD films to choose from at any one time aswell as shows such as The Sopranos and Band of Brothers. You can receive this exciting package as part of a Virgin Media bundle, which can include TV, phone line, internet access, or all three if you so desire.

With almost 10 million customers in the UK, Virgin Media is one of the UK’s largest residential broadband providers. Thanks to their nationwide fibre optic cable network, Virgin Media can deliver ultrafast internet access of up to 50Mb, and when added to their amazing HD TV package, it’s easy to see why more and more people are choosing Virgin Media for all their home entertainment needs.

Plus if you order today you will receive the first 2 months absolutely free! As you can see, there’s never been a better time to order a Virgin Media bundle package than today.

> > Click here to order Virgin Media today

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There’s a great new bargain deal available for prospective new Virgin Media broadband customers, as you can now pick up your internet, TV and phone absolutely free for the first two months!

So, if you sign up before the end of Wednesday 30th September 2009 you can now receive -

• £20 Off Your First Bill
• Free Installation
• Free Wireless Router and Modem
• 10Mb Fibre Optic Broadband
• Over 65 Digital TV Channels
• Unlimited weekend UK Landline calls

That’s right, all of the above is absolutely free for the first 2 months when you order a phone line for £11 a month. After this time has expired the total entertainment package is only £19.50 a month, the same price as some providers charge just for internet connection! Not only that, but you will also receive unlimited downloads, 5GB of online storage, plus 25 free photo prints per month.

So get your skates on and take advantage of this brilliant deal from Virgin Media bundles, a fantastic way to enjoy a complete home entertainment package at a price that’s right for you.

> > Click here to order Virgin Media today

The Virgin Media ‘Freedom‘ Netbook has finally been released, and it’s free! Simply sign up to one of the 24 month Virgin Media bundle contracts below with an £11 a month phone line, and you will receive this lightweight computer that fits in the palm of your hand for absolutely nothing.

Free Netbook Deals

• £20 a month for 3 months then £29
• 1GB Mobile Broadband
• Up to 10Mb Fibre Optic Broadband
• Unlimited UK weekend landline calls

• £34.50 a month
• 1GB Mobile Broadband
• Up to 10Mb Fibre Optic Broadband
• Over 65 digital TV channels
• Unlimited UK weekend landline calls

• £47 a month for first 3 months then £62
• 3GB Mobile Broadband
• Up to 20Mb Fibre Optic Broadband
• Over 165 digital TV channels
• Unlimited anytime UK landline calls

The Virgin Media Netbook weighs only 1.1kg and has a battery life of 2 hours 30 mins standard use. It also comes with a free soft carry case and a free dongle so you can work and surf wherever and whenever you want. Other features include -

• Intel Atom 1.60GHz 1N270 Processor N270,
• Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Operating System
• 1GB Memory
• 120GB SATA Hard Drive
• Intel Integrated 133 MHz Graphics Card
• Intel High Definition Audio
• Internal Speaker
• Built-in 0.3 megapixel webcam
• 13 Months Hardware Warranty
• 13 Months Technical Helpline

The Virgin Media Netbook is new on the market and is sure to be a huge hit with customers up and down the country. So why not upgrade your home package today and receive this fantastic computer absolutely free!

> > Click here to check out the Virgin Media Netbook

Virgin Media TV has announced that the new ESPN worldwide sports channel will be available in both standard and HD picture to their 3.5 million digital TV customers from 3rd August 2009. The ESPN channel has taken over Stetanta Sports contract to show live Barclays Premier League and Clydesdale Bank Premier League football, as well as a whole host of other top quality sporting events.

Customers who subscribe to the XL Virgin Media TV pack will be able to watch ESPN for no additional cost, and will also receive the fantastic ESPN Classic. This station is one of my own personal favourite sports channels,  featuring the greatest moments of sporting history past and present. In one day you can watch highlights from a classic golf tournament, followed by an FA cup final from the Eighties and finish with a days highlights from the 2005 Ashes series – absolute bliss if you’re a sport-aholic like myself.

Sports fans who subscribe to either the Virgin TV Medium or Large packs will be able to subscribe to ESPN for just £8 a month if they already subscribe to Sky Sports, or £10 a month if not. Plus, as a little taster, Virgin Media will make both ESPN channels available to all of its digital TV customers for no additional cost during the month of August.

Chief commercial officer of Virgin Media, Mark Schweitzer, said -

This agreement solidifies Virgin Media’s place as the home of TV entertainment and is unquestionably the best value TV deal for sports fanatics.  We’ve got all the sports content you’d expect and adding the new ESPN channels to our line-up will mean our customers can watch all the football action they want.We’re always looking for ways to go the extra mile for our customers and we think this market beating offer does this in spades as well as providing a sweetener for the start of the football season.  We are extremely proud to have partnered with ESPN, which is the world’s leading multimedia sports entertainment company.

ESPN will be launching on Virgin Media on Monday 3rd August in both standard and HD, and with 46 live Premier League football games already booked for next season, it’s safe to say ESPN will be a roaring success with football fanatics.

Managing director for ESPN in Europe, Middle East and Africa, Lynne Frank, said -

We are delighted to add Virgin Media as a new distribution partner and to offer millions more sports fans ESPN’s compelling mix of Barclays Premier League and Clydesdale Bank Premier League football, as well as the best of international football and top quality sports.  The plan to make the channels available to Virgin Media’s XL customers will help ESPN better serve sports fans in the UK.  It’s an exciting season ahead and we look forward to bringing our new channels, ESPN and ESPN HD as well as ESPN Classic, to as many sports fans as possible.

So why add ESPN to your Virgin Media bundle package in time for their first live Barclays Premier League game on Saturday 15th August between Everton and Arsenal. You never know, straight after the game you may be able to check out the same fixture, from back in the day, when footballers were men and the shorts were miniscule!

> > Click here to order Virgin Media TV today

Virgin Media TV is launching a new on demand movie subscription service called PictureBox in collaboration with Universal Pictures. The PictureBox service will be available for only £5 a month and provide a broad selection of feature films, with subscribers being able to view films whenever they like at any given time. Seven new titles being added to the line-up every week, with many of the films available in HD alongside a selection of not yet seen television in the UK.

Executive director of content acquisition at Virgin Media, Katherine Burns, said -

Our customers love movies on demand and they’re watching millions of films every year. The addition of PictureBox means Virgin Media is the perfect choice for film fans, with a fantastic HD line-up and even more films to choose from, all at great value for money.

Picturebox will be showing exclusively Universal Picture movies, which in the coming months include such hits as Hot Fuzz, The Bourne Ultimatum, Children of Men and The Holiday, as well as classic blockbusters such as Scarface, Total Recall, The Nutty Professor and E.T – The Extra Terrestrial.

More than half of Virgin Media’s 3.6 million TV customers are now regularly watching on demand TV, with over half a billion views last year alone. Plus with the Virgin Media bundle packages adding the next generation of ultra fast internet access of up to 50Mb, plus free weekend calls, Picturebox is another impressive factor to the Virgin Media brand.

> > Click here to order a Virgin Media bundle

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