Virgin Media customers are no longer able to watch UKTV channels via the cable television service as a result of a financial dispute.
The broadcaster’s free-to-air channels including Dave, Drama, Home, Really and Yesterday, along with paid-for channels Gold, Alibi, Eden, Good Food and W were replaced on Sunday morning.
Subscribers are also no longer able to access UKTV on-demand services via their Virgin Media sets.
Viewers have reacted with anger at losing these 10 popular channels.
Some have declared they’ll be cancelling their subscriptions, while others threatened to abandon the digital cable TV provider if the popular channels were not restored.
One Twitter user wrote: “@virginmedia @UKTV Will be cancelling TV, broadband & all phones as soon as we can get through to someone at Virgin!! Think they might be busy with a lot of angry customers.”
Another said: “@virginmedia So this looks like the end, 15 years a customer and you’ve messed up big time. Sky shop Wednesday unless you fix it #SaveDave”
A third posted: “Bye bye Virgin, you have shown that loyal customers mean nothing to you. I did not sign up to these rubbish channels you have now provided, after losing UKTV because of your greed, the blame is 100% in your court.”
Read more: Why are Virgin Media customers about to lose out?
However, it seems Virgin Media are keen to reinstate the channels if they can strike the right deal with UKTV.
David Bouchier, Chief Digital Entertainment Officer said: “We are as disappointed as our customers that we have had to replace UKTV’s channels.
“To be clear: we are ready to restore UKTV’s free channels for our customers immediately with UKTV’s permission.
“We have been in extensive discussions with UKTV but we have not been able to reach an agreement which reflects the reality of how people are watching television in the 21st Century.
“UKTV is insisting on holding back its channels, like Dave, which are freely available over the air and online, unless we pay inflated sums of money for its paid channels like Gold. On top of this, UKTV is unable to provide the extensive on-demand programming which is expected of a modern day broadcaster.
“We have already replaced UKTV’s channels with a suite of high-quality programming. This includes the Paramount Network with shows like Suits and Designated Survivor; YourTV, a new channel which is home to Castle, Bones and Body of Proof; inclusive access to Premier Sports which has all of the football matches from the International Champions Cup and numerous new box sets available on-demand such as Shades of Blue, Supergirl and Madam Secretary.”
But UKTV are holding their corner…
We’ve worked with @virginmedia since its launch in 2006. We’re so sorry for any viewers who are missing our channels, but we couldn’t afford to take such a huge pay cut. We are still available on @SkyUK, @BT_UK, @FreeviewTV, @Freesat_TV, @TalkTalkTV and @NOWTV. pic.twitter.com/FRnghOs72u
— Official UKTV (@UKTV) 21 July 2018
How Virgin Media customers can now watch UKTV channels
All UKTV channels are available on subscription services provided by Sky, BT and Talk Talk.
The free-to-air channels are also available on Freeview and Freesat, which are usually included as standard with new televisions.
Viewers can also catch up on their favourite shows online at UKTV Play – available at uktvplay.uktv.co.uk
Which TV channels is Virgin Media losing?
- Alibi, which airs shows such as Death In Paradise, Father Brown investigates and Unforgettable
- Dave, which shows the likes of Only Fools & Horses and Not Going Out
- Drama (Inspector George Gently; Taggart; Soldier Soldier)
- Eden (Planet Earth; Deadly 60)
- Gold (Citizen Khan; Live At The Apollo)
- Good Food (The Hairy Bikers, James Martin: Yorkshire’s Finest)
- Home (DIY SOS; Escape To The Country)
- Really (Antiques Roadshow; Embarrassing Bodies)
- W (John Bishop In Conversation With…; Gavin & Stacey)
- Yesterday (Blackadder; Auf Wiedersehen Pet))
Replacement channels added to Virgin Media?
- Paramount Network Suits; CSI: Miami; Marvel’s Agent Carter; Designated Survivor; The Mick
- Lifetime SD Britain’s Next Top Model; The Real Housewives of New Jersey
- True Entertainment MASH; Murder; She Wrote; The Persuaders; The New Avengers
- Premier Sports HD (no subscription needed)
- Your TV Castle; Bones; Body of Proof
- 4Music The latest hit music, comedy and entertainment
- Freesports Pro14 rugby; NHL; NASCAR; World Rallycross Championships
- Sky Sports Mix Some of the world’s biggest sporting events
- Vice My House; The Ice Cream Show
- Quest HD Deadliest Catch; Gold Rush; Wheeler Dealers; English Football League highlights
- C&I HD From The Jail: 60 Days In; Homicide Hunter
- Discovery Turbo Supercar Superbuild; Street Outlaws; Wheeler Dealers
- History HD Knightfall; Vikings; Black Sails; Forged in Fire; Storage Wars
- Love Nature HD Africa’s Wildest Horizons; Great Blue Wild; Wildest Europe in HD
- ZooMoo Nature documentaries for all the family
- Love Nature SD Africa’s Wildest Horizons; Great Wild Blue
- Together Super Foods: The Real Story; Extremely British Muslims
- Horse & Country A specialist TV channel for equestrian sports and lifestyle
- More4 Lifestyle; docs; US drama
- Now 80s A much-loved 80s music party channel
Have you been affected by these cuts? Are you looking forward to the new channel? Let us know your thoughts on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix