Digital TV News

Virgin Media adds new kid’s channel to line-up

Monday 1 March, 2010

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

Virgin Media homes will be “spoilt for choice”, as the cable TV giant adds children’s channel Cartoonito to its line-up from April.

Mums and dads with Virgin Media’s (www.virginmedia.com) will be able to keep their little ones entertained by the likes of Fireman Sam and Hi-5, with new children’s channel Cartoonito, which will launch in April.

The new channel, which is aimed at preschool children, will be added to the cable TV giant’s line-up, and will be available to Size L and XL customers for no extra cost.

Cindy Rose, executive director of digital entertainment at Virgin Media, said: “Families are going to be spoilt for choice on Virgin Media.”

The launch of Cartoonito comes as Virgin Media signs a deal with content provider Turner Broadcasting, which will see a range of Turner Broadcasting content made available on-demand, online and on customers’ mobiles.

Rose added: “Kids already have access to some of the best shows on-demand, and our expanded line-up from Turner Broadcasting will let kids enjoy their favourite shows at any time of the day, morning or evening.”

Other Turner Broadcasting channels, including Cartoon Network, Boomerang, the CNN news channel, and classic film channel TCM, are already available through Virgin Media. The new deal will see many programmes from the channels aired online and on the Virgin Media mobile platform.

The online content will include a range of on-demand shows, such as Cartoon Network’s Ben 10 and Boomerang’s Scooby Doo, as well as new content from Cartoonito.

Tal Hewitt, vice president of distribution and business development at Turner Broadcasting, added: “Cartoonito had a phenomenal year in 2009, as the fastest growing kids channel year on year.”