Press Releases Radio listeners get BBCi on Virgin Media TV

Category: Radio; New Media
Date: 11.09.2007
Printable version

Listeners to BBC Radio through Virgin Media TV will be able to view dynamic interactive content from later this month.

With this content already reaching Freeview audiences, BBCi now visualises radio listening on most major digital TV platforms.

Listening to radio via digital TV has surpassed all expectations:

• 40.2 million UK adults (81%) now claim to have digital television.
• Over 20 million of those claim to have listened to the radio via their television.
• 11.2 million of those claim to do so on a weekly basis. (Rajar Q1 2007).

Mark Friend, Multiplatform and Interactive Controller for BBC Audio & Music, said: "This is a key part of the BBC's plan to enhance radio across new platforms and connects us with the huge audience listening to radio through their TV."

Listeners can access this content whilst listening to BBC Radio by pressing red on their digital remote.

The content includes: "Now playing" track information, genre-based news, music charts, features, programme listings plus news, sport and weather headlines.

For example, BBC Radio 1 listeners can view the latest entertainment news; BBC Radio 5 Live audiences see live news and sport headlines; and BBC 6 Music fans get "Now playing" track details plus up-to-date 6 Music news and chart info.

For the very first time, BBC regional radio will also have an enhanced presence via digital television. Listeners can access local news, the latest event information in their area and regional programme information at the touch of a button.

All stations also have quick links to the BBC's popular enhanced television services, such as Glastonbury and Wimbledon interactive.

"This is an important extension for BBCi," added Rahul Chakkara, Controller, BBC TV Platforms, "and is part of our strategy to enhance the viewing and listening experience of our audiences. We plan to use on-demand and other capabilities of the platform to make the service rich and visual, transforming the users' experience."

Notes to Editors

On ex-Telewest regions of Virgin Media:

• 1Xtra BBC
• BBC Radio 1
• BBC Radio 2
• BBC Radio 3
• BBC Radio 4
• BBC Radio 5 Live
• BBC 5 Live Sports Extra
• BBC 6 Music
• BBC 7
• BBC Asian Network
• BBC Radio Bristol
• BBC London 94.9
• BBC Radio Merseyside
• BBC Radio Sheffield
• BBC Radio WM

On the ex-NTL regions of Virgin Media:

• 1Xtra BBC
• BBC Radio 1
• BBC Radio 2
• BBC Radio 3
• BBC Radio 4
• BBC Radio 5 Live
• BBC 5 Live Sports Extra
• BBC 6 Music
• BBC 7
• BBC Asian Network
• BBC Radio Cymru
• BBC Radio Nan Gaidheal
• BBC Radio Scotland
• BBC Radio Ulster
• BBC Radio Wales

JA/ST