Virgin Media announces 3D-Ready HD STB from Cisco

Virgin TV Customers to See the HD Clearer Picture for No Monthly Fee; New HD set-top box and new channels make HD even more accessible with Virgin Media

LONDON — Virgin Media (NASDAQ:VMED)(LSE:VMED), the UK’s leading digital entertainment company, is to make HD TV more affordable by ensuring customers do not need to pay extra for stunning High Definition.

So far this year Virgin Media has announced the addition of six new HD channels with more to come. Consumers will soon be able to make the most of this growing line-up with a new HD set-top box – the V HD Box – which will be available for no additional monthly subscription fee.

New and existing TV customers can get the new V HD Box from March 22nd for a one-off cost of just £49 plus installation. There are no extra on-going subscription fees.

Virgin Media has already revealed that HD channels from ITV, Eurosport, Discovery, SCI FI, E4 and Film4 will all be added to its TV service later this year. HD channels from the BBC and Channel 4 are currently available to all Virgin TV customers. Subscribers to Virgin Media’s ‘XL’ TV package can also watch Premier League football and more top sport on ESPN HD, become captivated by compelling documentaries on National Geographic HD and be entertained by FX HD, MTV Networks HD and LIVING HD (a Virgin Media exclusive).

This increasing range of HD channels is also complemented by an extensive on demand library with thousands of hours of programmes, including hundreds in spectacular HD. Recent blockbusters such as Inglourious Basterds, Star Trek or The Hurt Locker, as well as films exclusive to Virgin TV such as Ché, are available alongside TV hit series including True Blood and Carnivàle, all in HD and ready to start at the press of a button.

The Cisco Systems-made box is 3D-ready and includes HDMI, SCART, USB and Ethernet ports to make the most of any digital home cinema experience. Featuring a best-in-class power saving function which dramatically cuts power usage by approximately 95% compared to stand-by mode, the V HD Box can also help minimise customers’ electricity bills.

The V HD Box adds to Virgin Media’s existing choice of the V Box, for basic digital TV, and the V+ HD Box which incorporates HD capability with a Personal Video Recorder. Virgin Media retains ownership of its set-top boxes so customers do not need to pay for warranties and, should anything go wrong, do not face expensive call-out charges or replacement or repair fees.

Virgin Media’s executive director of digital entertainment, Cindy Rose, said: “We want to make the best High Definition TV available to more people at affordable prices and without the additional monthly subscription fee. If you really love telly you’ll probably want our V+HD box because then you can then record programmes on up to two channels while simultaneously watching another. Our new V HD Box is ideal for anyone who wants to experience the power of HD without the extra monthly fee. We think our superb range of TV content gives our customers a real choice and makes Virgin Media the best value TV offering available.”