free-tv help tv Virgin Media
Virgin Free TV is our latest service, bringing all the choice and excitement of digital TV and radio to our customers in non-cable areas. It works using our snazzy new Free TV box which plugs into your existing telly, letting you watch over 40 digital TV channels and listen to around 27 DAB radio stations.
Simple - it uses the Freeview service. That means you can get digital TV channels and DAB radio stations through your standard rooftop aerial. There's no need for a satellite dish, and you don't need to live in a cable area. Just plug your Free TV box it in to the aerial, switch it on, and start channel hopping!
Digital TV brings you a bigger choice of channels, for a start. And they're much sharper than analogue channels, too. Plus you can get interactive by 'pressing the red button' - take a peek below for more info!
You'll also be able to use our 8-day Electronic Programme Guide. It's an on-screen guide which shows you what's on TV for the next 8 days. You can even set reminders for the programmes you want to watch - so you'll never miss your favourite shows!
What's more, with Virgin Free TV you'll get over 25 digital radio stations to choose from too.
With Virgin Free TV, you can choose from around 40 TV channels. That includes the usual ones - like BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Plus there are heaps more, too, including ITV2, E4, BBC News 24 and Film 4.
The number of channels you can get depends on the coverage where you live. But around 3 in 4 houses in the UK are in areas of good coverage.
For a full list of channels available on Virgin Free TV, see our Channel List
Yes! There are regular updates and changes to the Freeview channels. What's more, you'll be able to grab all the new channels by simply retuning your Free TV box.
You've probably heard about 'pressing the red button'. It's your chance to get interactive with the programme you're watching - and it's available to all Virgin Free TV customers.
So perhaps you'll want to voice your views on the latest news. Or maybe you want to switch views and watch a different match during the football, Open Golf, Six Nations or Wimbledon. Interactive TV offers much more choice, control and flexibility, letting you get involved with the action.
There's also digital teletext, too - including services like BBCi. It works much more like a website on the internet, including more content, better graphics and pictures, and more services.
Right now, Virgin Free TV is completely free with your Bundle One service - there's no upfront fee for the box and no ongoing monthly charge for your TV service.
We're looking at ways to offer our customers even more choice. This includes options like 'Top-Up TV' - where you can pay for extra channels like Setanta Sports and others. You can keep up to date with the latest news and updates to our services online at www.virginmedia.com
Right now, around 3 in 4 UK households can receive Freeview channels. And that's set to increase over the next couple of years. In fact, by 2012 analogue TV will be phased out and all TV in the UK will be digital - there's more about the "Digital Switchover" below.
In the meantime, you can check to see if you're covered using the Freeview Postcode Checker. Just have your postcode handy.
The Freeview Postcode Checker takes a look at your postcode and gives you an idea of whether you'll be able to receive Freeview. It's not a guarantee, but should be a good indication of coverage in your area.
The Digital Switchover is a government-sponsored programme to switch all TV from analogue to digital. It's being phased in gradually between 2008 and 2012, and will be carried out region by region.
Many areas of the UK can already get digital coverage - around 3 in 4 homes, in fact. You can find out if you're already covered by clicking on the Freeview Postcode Checker.
Yes - it works in the same way as any other TV. As long as you have a TV Licence, you won't need to do a thing - just plug it in, switch it on, and start channel hopping!
Although you're not covered right now, Freeview coverage is increasing all the time. You can keep an eye on current coverage by checking out the Freeview Coverage Checker.
Right now, it's only available to our customers in non-cable areas. But we're planning to offer it to customers in cable areas soon - keep your eyes peeled to our website for more details. It's at www.virginmedia.com
Simple. Virgin Free TV comes free of charge when you sign up to our Unlimited Broadband and Talk Bundle One.
To get it now, just visit our website at our website. Or if you prefer, you can call our team on
0845 045 0001
Easy, you can just move from your existing package to Bundle One. If you're already a Bundle One customer or you're happy with the service you've got then just visit our Equipment Shop in Customer Zone and grab a Free TV box for £40 to get in on the action.
We'll send you everything you need in one handy box. That includes your snazzy new Free TV box, cables and leads, remote control, and smart stand to sit your the box in. The only thing you need to take care of is the aerial. We recommend that you use a good quality rooftop aerial. You may be able to use an indoor aerial, but you'll need good reception to make the most of the benefits of Virgin Free TV.
Right now, Virgin Free TV is only available when you sign up to our Unlimited Broadband and Talk Bundle One. But there are plans in place to offer it to all customers soon. For the latest news, keep your eyes peeled to our website at www.virginmedia.com.
Simple - just take a peek at the user guide which comes with your Free TV box. It'll take you through exactly what you need to do. Alternatively, you can download it UserGuide.
First off, don't worry - we're here to help! Just give our team a call on 0906 217 0001. We'll run through a few quick questions to help make sure you're set up properly. Rest assured, we'll do everything we can to get you up and running.
To get the most from your Virgin Free TV, we recommend using a good quality rooftop aerial.
If you live in a good coverage area, you might find that an aerial in your loft works just fine. You may even be able to use an indoor aerial on top of your TV, which might be useful if you're using your Free TV box in a bedroom.
For help and information about aerials, just contact your local installer. Or visit either of these websites: www.cai.org.uk or www.idsc.uk.com.
If you're interested in finding out more about indoor aerials, Ricability, an independent research charity, has tested a number of set-top aerials. Just visit their website at www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk
