Eurosport HD to launch on Virgin Media

Published Wednesday, Feb 3 2010, 10:20 GMT | By Andrew Laughlin

Eurosport HD will launch soon on Virgin Media as the first of "several" new HD channels coming to the cable TV platform over the coming months.

Available from April, Eurosport HD will deliver a high definition simulcast of the main Eurosport international channel, including coverage of a range of high-profile sporting events from around the world.

The channel, which launched on Sky in July 2008, will be available without cost to all Virgin Media XL TV subscribers.

Forthcoming events on Eurosport HD include the Tour de France, French Open tennis, the World Touring Car Championships and Athletics European Championships.

"We're really excited about the spring launch of Eurosport HD and the wider roll-out of several new HD channels for our customers in the coming months," said Virgin Media executive director of digital entertainment Cindy Rose.

"With HD-ready TVs now common in UK homes, the combination of HD channels as well as our pioneering TV on-demand service gives Virgin TV customers a huge range of HD programming with the unique flexibility to enjoy HD content whenever they want, at the touch of a button.

"With all the regular channels you'd expect, and a service ready for 3D TV too, Virgin TV is without doubt the most compelling TV offer on the market."

Eurosport general director of distribution and development Jean-Thierry Augustin added: "We have received excellent feedback from viewers about the high quality of Eurosport's HD output and so are delighted to complete our portfolio of world class events for Virgin Media's customers.

"In a competitive sports market we are very pleased to have found a very positive on-going carriage arrangement with long-term partners Virgin Media which strengthens further the availability of our flagship channel British Eurosport and our ever more relevant content line on British Eurosport 2."

Eurosport HD brings Virgin Media's HD portfolio to eight channels, alongside BBC HD, Channel 4 HD, ESPN HD, Nat Geo HD, MTVNHD, FX HD and Living HD. The operator also plans to launch "several" more HD channels over the "coming months".