Tuesday 25 September 2018
UKTV and Virgin TV today announced an expansion of their partnership which will provide Virgin Media Ireland customers with two new channels. From today, Virgin TV customers will be able to tune in to UKTV's Drama and Really channels for the first time. Drama will be available on channel slot 164 and Really on 165.
Drama is one of the UK's most-watched non-PSB channel and showcases the best in quality drama. From period through to contemporary and comedy, the channel is a treasure trove of classic and modern stories. With programmes including much loved The Heart Guy, Pride and Prejudice, Father Brown and The Brokenwood Mysteries, Virgin Media Ireland viewers will now be able to indulge in a handpicked range of the nation's most celebrated TV dramas.
Really is a leading real life channel, offering viewers an exhilarating, emotional roller coaster of programming with astounding blue light documentaries, real life crime stories, lifestyle shows and premier paranormal shows. Popular series include exclusive UKTV Originals, Cops UK: Bodycam Squad and Helicopter ER. Hit acquisitions such as Ghost Adventures are also on offer alongside popular shows like Antiques Road Trip, Homes Under the Hammer, Criminal Confessions and Born To Kill. Upcoming UKTV Originals on the channel include all-new Fantasy Homes by the Sea, starting in November this year, and Sarah Beeny's Renovate Don't Relocate which is set to air in the new year.
Drama and Really join UKTV's Dave (122), Alibi (151), Gold (120) and W (160) channels which are already on the platform. The broadcaster's catch-up and on-demand service, UKTV Play is also available for Virgin Media Ireland customers.
Commenting on the launch, Paul Farrell, vice president of Virgin Media Ireland said:
Virgin TV is now the go-to platform for the best connected entertainment and viewing experience. We're delighted to be building on our leadership by giving our customers more UKTV shows with the arrival of UKTV's Drama and Really channels. Our goal has always been to offer our customers more choices and the ability to access all the programming they desire when and where they want it.
Simon Michaelides, Chief Commercial Officer at UKTV, said:
Launching new channels on Virgin Media Ireland is part of our ongoing commitment to provide the UK and The Republic of Ireland with the best TV. I'm really pleased that Virgin Media Ireland customers will now have access to all the brilliantly entertaining shows on offer on Drama and Really.
For more information, please contact:
Anna-Maria Barry | Virgin Media | annamaria.barry@virginmedia.ie
Ali Laurie | UKTV
Pictures:
Drama logo
Really logo
The Heart Guy on Drama
Sarah Beeny's Renovate Don't Relocate on Really
About UKTV:
UKTV is a commercial broadcaster reaching nearly 40m viewers every month.
The award-winning independent has eleven imaginative brands - UKTV Play, Dave, W, Gold, Alibi, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home, Eden and Good Food. These include the two most popular non-PSB channels in the UK and account for nearly 10% of the British commercial TV market.
The network delivers inspired channels to audiences through Freeview, Sky, BT, TalkTalk, YouView, Freesat, Amazon Fire and UKTV Play, and distributes its highly valued original programmes to 200 territories.
Now celebrating over 20 years at the forefront of digital television, UKTV - an independent commercial joint venture between BBC Studios and Discovery, Inc. - is proud to be the first British television broadcaster in The Sunday Times top 100 companies list.
corporate.uktv.co.uk | press.uktv.co.uk | @uktvpress
About Virgin Media:
Virgin Media is known for challenging the status quo - taking on industry giants, championing people and simply delivering extraordinary products and services.
We help create a digital world that makes good things happen: for our customers and the communities in which we operate.
In Ireland our cable business delivers multi award-winning services: broadband, TV, mobile and home phone connect thousands of people across the country. But we're not finished; we're extending our network reach through Project Lightning so that more communities can enjoy the benefits of the fastest, widely available broadband speeds from Virgin Media.
Our broadcast division, Virgin Media Television is Ireland's number one commercial broadcaster operating three free-to-air channels (Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Three, plus the Virgin Media Player), launched Virgin Media Sport and is a significant investor in home produced content across news, current affairs, drama and sports.
Through Virgin Media Business, we support entrepreneurs, businesses and the public sector, delivering the fastest speeds and tailor-made services.
Virgin Media is part of Liberty Global, the world's largest international TV and broadband company, with operations in 11 European countries. The company invests in the infrastructure and digital platforms that empower customers to make the most of the video, internet and communications revolution.