UK operator Virgin Media has unveiled a host of new devices and services, including the Virgin TV V6 box, a revamped Virgin TV Anywhere app, a new Virgin TV kids app and its new Virgin Media Store. Also the HD TellyTablet was unveiled, designed by Virgin Media to be a personal smart TV for watching television in HD quality. The UK is the first market to launch the new box, and Virgin Media's parent company Liberty Global plans to launch the box elsewhere in Europe from next year.
The 4K-ready V6 box is powered by TiVo software and built for apps. Virgin Media said the box is its smallest, smartest and fastest yet, half the size of the previous TiVo box, with 10 times the power, new features and compatible with the original TiVo box. It can record six shows while watching a seventh or streaming services such as iPlayer or Netflix.
Recordings can also be accessed and streamed on other TiVo boxes in the home, and recordings, on-demand programmes and live TV can be watched in one room, paused and continued in another room seamlessly through a Virgin TV V6 or TiVo box. Recordings and live TV can also be continued on a mobile device with Virgin Media’s TV Anywhere app.
Netflix and YouTube will be available in 4K from launch, with further features to be added in the future. The box is also High Dynamic Range (HDR) compatible so that, as more HDR content becomes available, a software update will be downloaded so that 4K picture quality will also be available on compatible HDR TVs.
The box also sports a 'smart and quick' menu, familiar to existing Virgin Media customers, as well as a new remote. The image-based menus are easy to navigate and apps such as iPlayer, Netflix and Vevo able to open quickly. The menu also includes smart search and SeriesLink+, which pulls related TV programmes together into one place. The Virgin TV V6 remote is smaller than the existing remote and sports a new search button. The RF remote works even when the set-top box is out of sight and features a special beeping service should it get lost.
The new box will be available to existing customers on a Mix bundle or higher before the end of the year. Existing customers will not need to change their package. New customers will be able to order the box when choosing their TV bundle from January. It will come with a GBP 99.95 one-off upfront cost but new and existing customers with a top-tier Full House or VIP bundle will benefit from a promotional price of GBP 49.95. The box comes with 1TB of storage. Every additional Virgin TV V6 box installed will add another 1TB to the overall storage.
Meanwhile, the Virgin TV Anywhere app (Android, iOS) has been upgraded to work seamlessly with the new V6 box. Customers will be able to use it to watch content anywhere at home over Wi-Fi. A range of box sets, as well as live TV, will also be available out-of-home over a Wi-Fi connection, along with the ability to remotely set, cancel and delete recordings on the Virgin TV V6 box. The app will also function as an advanced remote control.
The new TellyTablet, running on Android OS (Marshmallow), has four built-in speakers (front and rear), 7-8 hour use time battery life, 32GB of memory that can be upgraded with a Micro SD card, two USB ports, optimised Wi-Fi connectivity for use with routers such as Virgin Media’s Hub 3.0 and an in-built stand for easy use anywhere in the home. The tablet comes preloaded with the Virgin TV Anywhere app, the new kids app and the Virgin Media Store app. Users will also have access to the Google Play store so they can access other subscribed services such as Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, Netflix, and Hayu with the relevant Virgin Media bundle or individual accounts. The tablet will become available in December for customers choosing a Freestyle mobile bundle over 24 months or at GBP 299 upfront.
The new Virgin TV kids app will launch in February and aims to provide a fun, easy-to-use and safe environment for children, with no ads and no in-app purchases, and an easy-to-use repeat button. Virgin TV customers on a Fun bundle or above will be able to download the app for free. Content will include shows like 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 shows from CBeebies. A range of interactive games and picture books will also be available. A “safe mode” can be activated where a question needs to be answered to exit the app. This will hinder children from accessing content outside the app. Kids will be able to create their own profile with an avatar and nickname. The app can be accessed over Wi-Fi or on 3G/4G in the UK. Content can be downloaded and watched when offline. The application will be available on iOS, Android, Kindle Fire as well as the new Virgin TV TellyTablet.
Finally, the Virgin Media Store will give access to films before they are available to buy on DVD. For films purchased digitally, a DVD copy will be automatically put in the post for keeps. The Virgin Media Store will launch in February and also be available for non-Virgin Media customers on desktop and mobile. Content will include Virgin Media Exclusives, including the upcoming TV rom-com Billy and Billie, written by Neil LaBute (In The Company Of Men) and starring Adam Brody.
