Sky is currently the one to beat when it comes to HD TV channels in the UK. But the fight back starts here as Virgin Media announces that Living, FX, MTV and National Geographic are all adding HD channels to its service.
Virgin Media will make its full range of HD channels available at no extra cost to its XL TV customers. The first of the new HD channels will launch at the end of July.
Living
“Home to the Next Top Model franchise and cult phenomenon Most Haunted, Living is one of the UK’s most watched digital TV channels and will be available to viewers in HD for the first time. Living HD will show some of the channel’s high-profile acquisitions to maximum effect, including Criminal Minds, Ghost Whisperer, Private Practice and CSI.
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FX
“FX HD offers a mixture of top American programming and first run drama, comedy and crime shows such as The Wire, Family Guy and the forthcoming series True Blood from the creator of Six Feet Under.”
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MTV Networks International
“MTVNHD, which is dedicated to music and kids, broadcasts original music-based shows including iconic series such as MTV Unplugged and high profile live music events such as the MTV Europe Music Awards. Each Saturday and Sunday morning the channel also broadcasts a selection of Nickelodeon’s hit children’s shows such as SpongeBob SquarePants and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.”
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National Geographic HD
“This is home to some of the most engrossing documentaries available, such as Extreme Ice and Ancient Megastructures, spanning wildlife, science and technology, culture and natural phenomena.”
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Neil Berkett, chief executive officer of Virgin Media, said the launch marked the next stage in the evolution of the company’s pioneering TV service.
“Our line-up of HD channels and hugely popular on demand content is a unique and winning combination and we’ll continue to bring more sport, films, entertainment and documentaries to our customers,” Berkett said.
Berkett said Virgin Media is already in talks with UKTV about offering Good Food HD to its viewers.
The company already offers the BBC HD channel and around 300 hours of HD content on its on demand TV platform, including BBC iPlayer in HD.