BBC iPlayer to join Virgin EPG next week

BBC iPlayer content will be accessible via the Virgin Media electronic programme guide from next week.

A specially designed iPlayer branded area will be added to the Catch Up section of the EPG, the cable operator said today.

Virgin's content chief Malcolm Wall said he expected the move to fuel uptake of its video on demand services, which are currently used by about half its cable TV subscribers.

"Virgin Media customers have demonstrated a real appetite for on-demand content and we’ve been delighted by the response to the launch of BBC iPlayer on our TV platform," he said. "As BBC iPlayer becomes available through Virgin Media’s EPG, we expect interest in and usage of our on-demand service to continue to grow strongly."

Virgin said the amount of content on offer "will increase as the BBC iPlayer service grows". The company added: "Further enhancements such as the integration of the highly successful BBC Radio Player are planned to be added in due course."

The iPlayer will also still be accessible via the BBC's Virgin red button interactive service, on which it was first introduced last month.

Rahul Chakura, the BBC's controller of television platforms, previously explained that some shows on the internet iPlayer may not be carried on the Virgin service because of rights restrictions.

"Regional variations, radio programmes and some acquisitions are not available at present," he said. "However, we hope this will change in due course. We also hope to be able to offer high definition programmes too!"