Digital TV News

Sci Fi HD channel heads to Virgin Media

Monday 15 March, 2010

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

Want to watch your favourite sci-fi programmes in glorious high-definition? Sign-up to Virgin Media’s XL TV package to watch Sci Fi HD for free.

Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) customers will be able to watch high-definition (HD) dramas such as Legend of the Seeker and Sanctury, as well as classic episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, on the new Sci Fi HD channel, from 13 April.

The cable TV provider will make the Sci Fi HD channel available to its Size XL subscribers for free, following a deal agreed with Universal Networks International.

Cindy Rose, Virgin Media’s executive director of digital entertainment, said: “The Sci Fi channel is synonymous with the science fiction genre and premieres many high-profile, first-run series.”

The channel will also rebrand on 13 April, becoming the Syfy HD channel. It will show a range of programmes every day, including the forthcoming, much-talked-about UK premiere of V, a remake of the cult 80s mini-series about alien lizards invading Earth.

This is Virgin Media’s sixth new HD channel announced this year, and the digital TV provider promises there are more to come.

The new channel will bring the total number of Virgin HD channels up to 12, as Sci Fi HD joins C4HD, BBC HD, ESPN HD, FX HD, MTVN HD, National Geographic HD, LIVING HD (a Virgin Media exclusive) and the forthcoming E4 HD, Film4 HD, Discovery HD and Eurosport HD channels.

Rose added: “We are continuing to add more HD channels to our growing line-up, all of which are all available to our XL TV customers for no extra monthly fee.”

Subscribers with the XL package - which costs £23 a month if you take a Virgin Media phone line - have access to all Virgin HD channels at no extra cost.

Virgin Media and Universal Networks International are also looking to make the HD content available on-demand where possible, so customers can watch selected programmes whenever they want.

The Sci Fi HD channel is already available on Sky’s satellite TV service.

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