Virgin Media launches online movies service

Virgin Media (NASDAQ:VMED)(LSE:VMED) today announced the launch of its first online movies service: Virgin Media Online Movies. With hundreds of titles to watch on demand, including Fantastic Mr Fox, District 9 and, from 6th May, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, Virgin Media Online Movies will be the perfect online hub for all film lovers.

Film fans will be able to stream their choice of film, ready to watch when they want, directly to laptops, PCs and onto TVs(1). All rentals will offer unlimited views for 48 hours so viewers can pause, rewind and watch again. Plus the film can be watched wherever the account holder logs on – at work, or at home.

Alex Green, executive director, commercial, TV and online, Virgin Media said: “Virgin Media already offers the UK’s leading movies on demand TV service and we wanted to bring the same high-quality, easy-to-use experience to film fans online. Virgin Media Online Movies will help visitors discover and enjoy a whole world of film and we’ll continue to develop the service by adding download functionality, even more titles and a great choice of HD films to the line-up.”

Virgin Media Online Movies is powered by FilmFlex Movies Ltd. FilmFlex has helped operate Virgin Media’s hugely popular movies on demand TV service since January 2005. The TV service saw over 11 million films watched on demand in 2009.

Andrew Keyte, CEO of FilmFlex commented: “With this new service, we believe online movie rental will really come of age. We’re building on our experience with Virgin Media’s TV platform to develop a great online movie experience for all film fans and we’re pleased that so many of our content partners have seen the potential of the new Virgin Media branded movie service and are with us for launch.”

Film fans don’t have to be Virgin Media customers to enjoy Virgin Media Online Movies, the service is available to all visitors right across the UK.

To celebrate the launch of Virgin Media Online Movies, Virgin Media will relaunch its online movies site to help film fans discover new and classic films with a ‘Where To Watch’ guide across thousands of titles and formats, enabling visitors to find a film they’ll love in cinemas, on DVD, Blu-Ray, on TV and online. With trailers, comprehensive reviews and user ratings, box office details, movie trivia and a range of specially commissioned movie extras, the site will be a fantastic destination for all film fans.

Virgin Media recently launched its online music video on demand service and plans to launch an online TV player this year.

1. Customers will need either a VGA or HDMI cable to connect their laptop or PC to a TV