'CSI' added to Virgin's on demand library

Virgin Media has acquired the on demand rights to CSI and CSI: Miami.

The deal with Alliance Atlantis starts on March 1 and covers seasons 1-4 of CSI and seasons 1 and 2 of CSI: Miami. Season 5 of CSI and the third season of CSI: Miami will be added later this year.

Both series have become a key part of Virgin Media Television's Living TV channel in recent years.

"The CSI franchise has been a TV phenomenon and makes a welcome addition to our on-demand library," said Virgin Media president and CEO Steve Burch. "The agreement with Alliance Atlantis to make CSI and CSI: Miami available on demand forms part of our commitment to cram our service full of must-see entertainment which our customers can control."

Virgin Media announced today that they expect to make further announcements, including "major content additions" in sports and movies, during the year.

President and chief executive Steve Burch said: "We are very serious about this. We're going after that space very vigorously."

The company already has access to content through its subsidiary, Flextech, which will now be called Virgin Media Television. With its joint venture with BBC Worldwide, the new company also retains a 50% stake in UKTV.