Virgin Media O2 & UKTV renew partnership

Dan Howdle • March 18th, 2025

Virgin Media O2 and UKTV have renewed their long-standing partnership with a new multi-year deal. This means Virgin TV customers will continue to enjoy popular UKTV channels and shows, and the UKTV streaming app (known as 'U') will soon be available in almost every Virgin Media home.

What’s in the new deal?

Virgin Media O2 and UKTV have agreed to a new partnership that secures some of the UK’s most watched channels and shows for Virgin TV customers. This includes the well-known pay channels U&GOLD and U&alibi, where viewers can enjoy favourite dramas and comedies. UKTV’s free-to-air channels like U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY and U&eden will also stay available for the long term.

As part of the deal, UKTV’s streaming service U will become available to almost all Virgin Media homes later this year. Right now, only customers with Virgin Flex or TV 360 boxes can access it, but by summer 2025, it will launch on Virgin TV V6 boxes too for those of you with the older model. This means around 95% of Virgin Media TV homes will be able to use the U app, providing easy access to on-demand UKTV shows.

What can you watch?

The pay channels U&GOLD and U&alibi include popular drama series like Murdoch Mysteries, Miss Scarlet, Hudson & Rex, and The Red King. There’s also classic comedy and entertainment such as Only Fools And Horses, Dad’s Army, The Vicar of Dibley, and Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out. A new series called Neil and Martin’s Bon Voyage is also on the way.

In terms of free stuff, the U streaming app will offer thousands of hours of shows including the five top-rated dramas: Whitstable Pearl, The Marlow Murder Club, The Chelsea Detective, Sister Boniface Mysteries, and Darby & Joan. These shows helped the app grow its views by 34% in 2024, with more than 9,000 hours of shows now available.

FAST channels and new ways to watch

Virgin TV customers will have also gained access to UKTV’s new FAST channels. These are free streaming channels that show non-stop content around specific themes. Channels like U&LAUGHS, U&Transport, U&Real Heroes, and U&The Past (is the 'U' branding annoying you yet?) are already available, giving people more ways to enjoy UKTV favourites. Virgin Media reports that around half a million people now watch FAST channels on their platform each month.

For customers, this deal means more choice and better access to UKTV content without needing to switch services. It also means the U streaming app will become the main way to watch UKTV shows on-demand through Virgin TV.

What do the companies say?

David Bouchier, Chief TV & Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2, said that giving customers the best TV content is a priority. He highlighted how the partnership with UKTV brings more options, including FAST channels and apps, making the Virgin TV service stronger.

Sam Tewungwa, Managing Director at UKTV, said the deal marks the next step in their relationship with Virgin Media O2. He added that customers will benefit from more choice, with both top TV channels and easy access to the U streaming service.

Why this matters for you

If you’re a Virgin TV customer, this means you won’t lose access to your favourite UKTV channels or shows. In fact, you’ll be getting more – including access to the U app on more devices, more on-demand shows, and more free channels in the FAST lineup.

For those of you who prefer streaming or want to catch up on shows at any time, the U app will be easier to use and available in more homes. Plus, with more than 9,000 hours of shows and growing, there’s a lot to choose from without needing extra subscriptions.

If you already enjoy shows like Only Fools and Horses or Murdoch Mysteries, this is good news. Nothing changes, and in fact, access just got better. If you haven’t used the U app yet, it might be worth trying once it arrives on your Virgin TV 360 box.

What we think

This updated deal is a win for Virgin TV customers. More access to top shows, an easier way to watch on demand, and new FAST channels to explore mean better value from your TV service. The U app has been growing quickly, and with drama being a key reason, it’s likely more viewers will find something they enjoy.

For anyone with the older V6 box, the launch of the U app will come this summer.

Overall, this is a sensible move from both Virgin Media O2 and UKTV, keeping things simple for its customers while expanding what’s available. No big changes, no extra costs – just more ways to watch more of what you enjoy.