Viacom and Virgin Media extend content partnership in multi-year agreement

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) and Virgin Media have agreed a new multi-year distribution deal in the UK and Ireland spanning TV channels, on-demand rights and a range of new streaming applications.

The renewed partnership ensures Virgin Media customers will continue to enjoy access to some of their favourite TV networks including MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Paramount Network, as well as associated catch up rights and box sets.

As part of the new deal, Virgin Media will add three more of Viacom’s branded apps – My5, Pluto TV and MTV Play – to the app section of its user interface for the first time, making significant additional hours of content accessible to Virgin Media’s TV customers.

In addition to offering catch-up and extended on-demand access to a range of Channel 5 content, My5 also showcases a number of third-party ‘channels’ from partners including A+E and PBS America and a range of exclusive content including scripted series from the U.S., Australia and Israel.

Pluto TV, the ad-supported streaming platform acquired by Viacom earlier this year, features more than 60 channels in the UK including Pluto TV Drama, Pluto TV Romance and Pluto TV Crime, plus thousands of movies and series on-demand – all of which will be made available for Virgin Media customers to enjoy.

For the first time, Virgin Media’s Player TV and Mixit TV customers will be able to access MTV’s award-winning content through the MTV Play app which will also be available on Virgin Media’s TV service, offering 1,800 hours of Box Set content as well as the MTV channel and catch up services.

Virgin Media Subscribers to the MTV channel will continue to be able to enjoy catch up and Box Set content as part of their existing subscription in addition to access to the standalone MTV Play app for no additional fee.

Arran Tindall, SVP, Commercial and Content Distribution, for Viacom International Media Networks, said: “This renewed and broadened partnership with Virgin Media speaks to the strength of our brands and content, as well as our investment in new streaming apps, which will allow Virgin Media customers to access their favourite Viacom content in new ways. Virgin Media has a great track record of innovation as a platform and as a partner and we’re delighted to have reached agreement with them to deliver further innovation for the benefit of their customers.”

David Bouchier, Chief Digital Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media, added: “This is great news for our customers who can continue to enjoy Viacom’s diverse range of channels and content. The inclusion of three brand new apps will give our customers greater flexibility to watch their favourite shows at a time that suits them.”