Virgin Media has launched its Virgin TV Anywhere, which is a cloud-based entertainment service for its customers, challenging the BSkyB’s rising Sky Go service.
Available only for UK customers, the new TV Anywhere service streams programmes to computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones through a Tivo set-top box that assists in using the smartphone and tablet apps.
Virgin Media digital entertainment executive director Cindy Rose said the world of digital entertainment is moving so fast, consumers are always looking for the next ‘big thing’ to take advantage of the features and connectivity built into today’s gadgets.
"Virgin TV Anywhere builds upon our fantastic TV service, blending in the best of TiVo and our expertise in broadband and mobile, to bring customers a compelling entertainment experience to enjoy whenever they want, wherever they are – all at no extra cost.
Providing customers with 45 channels to choose from at release, as per the customer’s TV package and accessing methods, the new service will also offer 4,000 hours of TV available to watch On Demand4 at any time
The firm will also add further channels to the line-up that currently include channels covering entertainment, kids, sport, news and factual, music and movies, as well as access to premium channels that include Sky Sports or Sky Movies for subscribed customers
The online service will allow TiVo users to manage their boxes through tools including remote record and managing ‘My Shows’.
The new mobile and tablet app will be initially offered on Apple’s iPad, iPhone and iPod that allow scheduling recordings and deleting shows, as well as enabling customers to rate shows.
