Changes to UKTV programming on Virgin TV

UKTV has removed its channels and programming from Virgin TV.
Channels affected are:
Drama, Really, Yesterday, Home, Gold, W, Alibi, Dave, Eden and Good Food. This includes +1 and HD channels, as well as On Demand and TV Go content.
We want to restore UKTV’s free channels for our customers immediately but need UKTV’s permission to do so.

These free channels, like Dave, are available over the air and online.

In fact, you can watch them right now for free on UKTV Play.

While we continue to talk to UKTV, we have already invested in an extensive collection of programming for our customers to enjoy (depending on the TV bundle taken).

David Bouchier, Chief Digital Entertainment Officer, Virgin Media:

“We are as disappointed as our customers that we have had to replace UKTV’s channels.

To be clear: we are ready to restore UKTV’s free channels for our customers immediately with UKTV’s permission.

We have been in extensive discussions with UKTV but we have not been able to reach an agreement which reflects the reality of how people are watching television in the 21st Century.

UKTV is insisting on holding back its channels, like Dave, which are freely available over the air and online, unless we pay inflated sums of money for its paid channels like Gold. On top of this, UKTV is unable to provide the extensive on-demand programming which is expected of a modern day broadcaster. 

We have already replaced UKTV’s channels with a suite of high-quality programming. This includes the Paramount Network with shows like Suits and Designated Survivor; YourTV, a new channel which is home to Castle, Bones and Body of Proof; inclusive access to Premier Sports which has all of the football matches from the International Champions Cup and numerous new box sets available on-demand such as Shades of Blue, Supergirl and Madam Secretary.”

Source: Virgin Media