James R | On 04, Dec 2016

Virgin TV will launch a new kids app next spring, as part of its overall revamp of its TV service.

The upgraded service from the pay-TV provider places a reinforced emphasis on simultaneous streaming around the home, as well as on-demand viewing of old and new titles. The new Virgin TV kids app, launching in February 2017, will play a key role, catering to younger eyeballs and drawing in the whole family.

The app will provides an easy-to-use and safe environment with no ads and no in-app purchases, offering a wide range of cartoons and TV shows alongside games and picture books.

Designed for pre and early primary school children the mobile app brings together more than 1,500 hours of kids on-demand programmes into one place. This includes shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol from Nickelodeon, Nick Jr, Milkshake and TinyPop and also directly licensed programmes, such as Sesame Street and a selection of the best shows from CBeebies.

The app is designed with a child-friendly menu making it very easy to use for both kids and parents. A “safe mode” can be activated where a question needs to be answered to exit the app. This gives parents the peace of mind to let their kids explore and use the app freely without the worry that they might access other apps or content. To help personalise the experience, kids can create their own profile with an avatar and nickname and also re-skin the app in different colours.

The Virgin TV kids app allows kids to watch shows over Wi-Fi or on 3G/4G in the UK, as well as download shows to watch offline, in the car or on the plane. It will even include a repeat button, so that kids can quickly watch the same programme on repeat, as parents well know they are wont to do.

Chief Digital Entertainment Officer David Bouchier says: “Virgin TV is not just for adults. Our new kids app is the best bundled app out there. It brings together ad-free TV, games and books all in one place so that kids have a universe of exciting goodies to play with, learn from and be entertained by. It’s a safe digital nanny.”

Virgin TV customers on a Fun bundle or above will be able to download the app for free from February 2017, hot on the heels of the launch of Virgin’s new set top box, the V6, which will be available from January 2017. The app also follows the launch of a new mobile device designed for TV watching, called a TellyTablet. As well as the TellyTablet, the app will be available on iOS, Android and Kindle Fire devices.

 

Virgin Media expands on-demand line-up with new Turner deal

12th November 2016

Virgin Media is expanding its line-up of programming on-demand with a new deal with Turner.

The long-term programming deal in the UK and Ireland will see Virgin Media customers continue to enjoy channels such as Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Cartoonito, TCM and CNN International, as well as bring Cartoon Network in HD to customers in Ireland for the first time. Alongside that, a host of box sets and catch-up TV are add to Virgin Media’s on-demand TV platform.

As part of the new agreement, Virgin Media customers will have access to hundreds of hours of kids’ shows, including Regular Show, Ben 10, The Powerpuff Girls, Scooby Doo, Mr Bean, The Tom and Jerry Show and Fireman Sam. It also gives customers a 30-day catch-up window for Turner programmes.

All of this is inked on a long-term basis, with Turner guaranteeing new rights to support Virgin Media’s future product launches.

David Bouchier, Chief Digital Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media, says: “Our new deal with Turner means our customers will be able to access a wealth of on-demand programs, as well as continuing to enjoy some of the very best TV from channels as diverse as Cartoon Network, TCM and CNN International. We are committed to giving our customers the very best TV to watch, when and how they want, and it’s fantastic to work with partners who think in the same way.”

The deal forms part of Virgin’s growing commitment to its on-demand arm, with recent deals for exclusive on-demand rights to Ash vs Evil Dead, Season 2 of which is currently available, and MMA drama Kingdom.

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