MUMBAI: Virgin Media has signed its first ever three-screen deal with Disney featuring a raft of new kids’ content to be made available across Virgin Media’s three entertainment platforms – television, online and mobile.
With this deal, Virgin customers will soon be able to watch Disney content wherever they are; in their home or on the move. The deal includes the addition of the recently launched Disney XD channel, TV on demand content including HD programming, as well as rights for a wide range of Disney shows to be made available online and via the mobile screen.
Disney XD, a new boy-focused, girl-inclusive channel aimed at kids aged 6-14, launched recently and joins the existing Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney channels on Virgin Media. In addition to the new channel, the agreement sees a significant boost in on demand content from the three Disney channels, including numerous kids’ favourite TV shows and movies in HD. With the addition of Disney content, Virgin Media will have over 300 hours of kids’ content on demand from a broad range of content providers.
As part of this deal, Virgin Media has also secured rights for all three TV channels and on demand content to be to made available online, giving families the chance to enjoy their favourite shows on a PC or laptop. The deal also includes the rights for Virgin Media to bring customers the Disney XD channel and on demand content from Disney XD via the mobile.
The strengthened TV on demand offering will give families many popular shows to watch from all three Disney channels, including hit programmes such as Hannah Montana, Phineas and Ferb and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. A whole range of original movies available on demand, including hits such as High School Musical, Camp Rock, and the forthcoming Skyrunners are also included in the deal as well as music videos from bands such as the Jonas Brothers.
Virgin Media executive director of content acquisition Katharine Burns said, "Virgin Media has been a pioneer in developing new TV services and our three screens deal with Disney is a perfect example of how driving innovation can benefit the consumer and enhance their viewing experience. As the home of family entertainment, we’re uniquely positioned to give our customers the greatest range of flexibility and choice in their TV viewing, and with great premium content on demand we think kids and families alike are going to love the freedom this Disney deal will bring."
Disney Channels UK & Ireland vice president and general manager Boel Ferguson added, "Our vision is to put choice in the hands of our viewers and allow them to access our content via as many potential platforms as possible – this new deal with Virgin Media helps make our vision a reality. We’re particularly excited about the potential for Disney XD, which was developed as a multi-platform entertainment brand with a multitude of content designed to be viewed at home or on the move."
As part of its three-screen strategy, Virgin Media will be exploring innovative new ways to deliver TV content that responds to consumers’ desire for ultimate viewing flexibility. Using the combined power of its fibre optic cable network, on demand TV service and mobile platform, Virgin Media customers will be able to view shows whenever and wherever they want.
