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Virgin Media joins forces with the BBC iPlayer
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BBC iPlayer now available on Virgin Media
Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk
Cable provider Virgin Media and the BBC have partnered up to bring the popular iPlayer service to the TV for the first time (01-05-08).
As of yesterday, Virgin Media's (www.VirginMedia.com) 3.5 million customers could catch up on any of their favourite programmes in full screen and at full quality on their television set without the need for downloading, simply by pressing the red button on any BBC channel, the company announced.
Access to the BBC iPlayer's 350 hours of free footage a week will also be available via Virgin Media’s electronic programme guide is due this summer.
Malcolm Wall, CEO of content at Virgin Media, said: “The enormous success of iPlayer online has demonstrated the desire TV viewers have for viewing quality programmes at a time that suits them, and now it's available from the comfort of the living room. Virgin Media is proud to be working with the BBC to continue to lead this revolution in TV viewing.”
Almost half of Virgin Media’s TV customers regularly use its on-demand service. The number of views per customer growing from 10 to 23 a month in the last year with 99 million views in the last three months of 2007 alone.
Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: “This is great news for Virgin Media customers who can now catch up on missed episodes of Eastenders, Dr Who or The Apprentice at the touch of a button and without having to risk exceeding their download limit with all that downloading.”
The average number of weekly BBC iPlayer users reached 1.1 million in March, up from January’s average of 75,000 and Phillips warned regular online users to keep an eye on their download limits - even if they have an “unlimited” broadband package.
“If you regularly stream or download programmes from the BBC iPlayer to your computer you could end up having your broadband connection throttled or be charged additional fees for exceeding your download limit or your fair usage policy.
“Worried users can install our free Broadband Download Monitor to keep track of your downloads and set alarms to alert you as you reach your limit,” he advised.
Related article - Top tips for downloaders.
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