Digital TV News

Virgin Media and BBC team up on TiVo

Thursday 22 December, 2011

By Duncan Heaney

Sports fans with TiVo to enjoy enhanced BBC services next year

Next year is going to be a big year for sport. There’s the usual stuff - Formula 1 and Wimbledon, for example - but there’s also Euro 2012 and some inconsequential little competition called the Olympic Games.

Many of us will be tuning into the BBC to watch the action, using its Red Button service to access alternative games, watch extra footage or get more analysis. But Virgin Media customers that subscribe to its on-demand service TiVo will be getting a little bit more.

The BBC and Virgin Media have made a deal that will bring “next-generation” interactive TV services to TiVo. BBC Sport is developing a new application that will gather the live streams from its existing Red Button service, and also let users watch on-demand video and additional content.

It’s not just sport that’s getting enhanced viewing options. A new BBC News app will be launched on TiVo early next year too. Users will be able to access a range of BBC News content on demand. The two new services join BBC iPlayer, which is already available through TiVo.

Jane Weedon, controller of Business Development, BBC Future Media, said: “Having partnered with Virgin Media to bring BBC iPlayer to TV back in 2008, we have since brought a vastly-improved, fully-integrated experience of BBC iPlayer to Virgin Media's TiVo Service.

“With the addition of the BBC News app and enhanced BBC Sport services - all accessible via the Red Button - we plan to build on this partnership and continue to innovate in connected TV through 2012.”

Last month, an exclusive Spotify app was launched for Virgin Media TiVo customers. With millions of tracks available, the app allows users to stream music and listen to Spotify playlists through their TV.