Bad news for customers.
After months of negotiations with UKTV, the provider has cut all 10 channels including Dave, Gold, Drama and W. UKTV was responsible for bringing shows like Taskmaster, Red Dwarf XII, and reruns of classic TV programs like Only Fools and Horses to its customers.
customers are gutted over the decision. They’ve flocked to en masse to express their disappointment.
‘Massively disappointed with losing the #uktv channels. Time to research other TV options. I don’t want what you are offering,’ one Twitter user said.
Another tweeted: ‘ I hope it isn’t true that you are getting rid of #UKTV these are the channels I watch all the time. What’s the point of paying £150 a month if there’s nothing worth watching? Appalled and looking for a new provider.’
As of Friday, Virgin Media customers will receive a notification that: ‘This channel is being replaced from Sunday.’
The message will appear on all UKTV channels.
Here’s what you need to know about Virgin Media’s decision to cut UKTV
Why is Virgin Media cutting UKTV channels?
and UKTV have been negotiating the renewal of their deal to continue hosting their TV portfolio for months. Virgin criticized the , who created UKTV alongside Discovery, for their video rights strategy.
Virgin’s chief digital entertainment officer David Bouchier said: ‘The problem is the does not grant the UKTV digital rights with its TV shows which leaves it somewhat stranded as a linear dinosaur in an on-demand modern world.
‘Part of a commitment to audiences has to be allowing them to watch what they want, when they want and that also means being able to watch those programs on demand.
‘From US studios to small program-makers, that is how it is done. The puts UKTV in a very difficult position and we have been unable to come to terms and will replace the channels.’
We’ve worked with since its launch in 2006, supplying , , , and more. We’re so sorry for the viewers who may miss our channels, but demands for price cuts mean we can’t continue our partnership. More from UKTV’s Steve North:
— Official UKTV ()
UKTV is telling a different story, however.
Darren Childs, the Chief Executive at UKTV, said in a statement: ‘We want to continue to provide our channels to Virgin Media, but the huge cut in fees that Virgin has requested doesn’t reflect the value we bring to customers.
‘UKTV’s channels account for over a quarter of pay entertainment channel viewing within Virgin Media’s basic subscription pack. If our channels are no longer available through Virgin, we will be hugely disappointed for the millions of customers who will lose out.’
What UKTV channels will Virgin Media customers lose?
Virgin Media customers will lose 10 UKTV channels. Those channels provide access to Taskmaster, Murdoch Mysteries, Red Dwarf XII, and others.
Hi Dave, unfortunately, due to the restrictions put on UKTV by the , UKTV is not able to provide the significant on-demand programming that we know our customers want. More info is here . ^MK
— Virgin Media
What will replace UKTV channels on Virgin Media?
Virgin Media have said they’ll replace UKTV channels with content like Deadliest Catch, Britain’s Next Top Model, Suits and Castle.
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