PictureBox HD movies to launch on Virgin

Virgin Media has teamed up with Universal Pictures to launch the movies on-demand service PictureBox over its cable network.

From July, the service will become available to the operator's 3.6 million TV subscribers at a cost of £5 per month.

This will give access to a selection of 28 movies at any given time, including new and library features, with seven new films to be added each Friday.

The Bourne Ultimatum, Hot Fuzz, Children of Men and The Holiday will all be on offer in the opening months of service launch.

This new agreement, which is part of the ongoing expansion of PictureBox, will also mark the first time that the service has been available in HD in the UK.

"Our customers love movies on demand and they're watching millions of films every year," said Virgin Media executive director of content acquisition Katherine Burns.

"The addition of PictureBox means Virgin Media is the perfect choice for film fans, with a fantastic HD line-up and even more films to choose from, all at great value for money."

Belinda Menendez, NBC Universal president, international TV distribution, added: "This agreement is a significant step in the growth of the PictureBox brand, which will now be available to Virgin Media's 3.6 million TV customers in the UK.

"Our reach in the UK has now increased more than fivefold and the service has expanded internationally since initial launch less than three years ago."