Virgin Media adds Netflix to pay-TV

Virgin Media has struck a deal with Netflix that will bring shows such as House of Cards and Hemlock Grove direct to pay-TV households in the UK for the first time.

House of Cards

Using the Netflix app, Virgin Media TiVo customers will be able to watch original Netflix series – also including Arrested Development and Orange is the New Black – plus Netflix exclusive series such as Breaking Bad.

The deal with the cableco is Netflix’s first such deal with a pay-TV provider anywhere in the world, though others around the world, such as Canal+ in France, CCTV in China and Foxtel in Australia have previously bought into Netflix originals.

The Netflix Virgin Media TiVo app will be offered on a trial basis from this week in around 40,000 households – out of a total of some 1.7 million who will eventually have access to it, assuming all goes well, later in the year.

“Netflix is a fabulous addition to Virgin Media TiVo, enabling our customers to enjoy even more of their favourite shows and movies simply and easily – all through their TV set-top box and at outstanding value,” said Virgin Media’s new chief operating officer Dana Strong.