Epic entertainment in incredible 4K UHD leads Virgin TV Ultra HD’s spring schedule

Virgin TV is lifting the lid on the blockbuster entertainment that will be broadcast this spring in incredible 4K picture quality on Virgin TV Ultra HD – the UK’s first dedicated 4K ultra high definition (UHD) entertainment channel.


A collection of critically acclaimed drama series, beautifully shot documentaries and hot-ticket concerts – which many are UK network premieres – will take centre-stage in UHD on the channel over the coming months.


Virgin Ultra HD offers the ultimate entertainment viewing experience broadcasting in 4K UHD – four times the picture quality of high definition.


The top-notch TV line-up on channel 999 includes Baz Luhrman’s hip hop inspired and visual feast, ‘The Get Down’ which begins next Monday (18 February). The musical drama charts the origins of hip hop in New York in the 1970s and features electric song and dance numbers led by Justice Smith, Jaden Smith and Herizen F. Guardiola.


In March, family-drama ‘Bloodline’ delves into the complicated lives of the Rayburns whose dark secrets threaten to emerge when their black sheep of a brother returns home. The show features the acting talents of Academy Award winner, Sissy Spacey and Ben Mendelsohn (Rogue One).


The third series of must-see shows ‘Masters of Sex’ starring Michael Sheen and political powerhouse ‘House of Cards’ hit screens in April.


The drama continues into May with edge-of-the-seat thriller ‘Absentia’ which tells the story of an FBI agent (played by Stana Katic) who must reclaim her family, identity and innocence when she finds herself the prime suspect in a string of murders.


Dazzling documentaries


The schedule is also packed with a brilliant variety of documentaries from nature, wildlife, to geographical and history.

Virgin Media has begun a new partnership with the Smithsonian Channel where a range of high quality factual programmes will be broadcast exclusively in UHD on Virgin TV Ultra HD.

In March this includes ‘Aerial Cities: Miami’ where the city’s stunning beaches, art deco buildings and residents’ lives are seen like never before from the air.

In ‘Americans Underground: Secret City of WW1’ a secret shelter used by soldiers in the First World War is unearthed in Northern France. The programme explores an American historian’s attempts to connect the names of the American soldiers etched into the limestone walls to their living descendants.

This complements the existing factual programming on the channel.

Animals lovers can get up close and personal to some of the planet’s most fascinating creatures in ‘Shark Squad’ and ‘Land of Primates’ – both in April.

Meanwhile, music fans can get closer to their favourite recording artists with a spectacular concert from Culture Club (March), as well as jazz performances from the likes of Snarky Puppy and a beautiful recital of Gioachino Rossini’s famous ‘La Gazzetta’ opera (March).

David Bouchier, Chief Digital Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media, said:


“We’ve got an epic entertainment line-up on Virgin TV Ultra HD this spring with an array of fantastic programmes in incredible 4K ultra high definition.


“Virgin TV customers will have even more to enjoy in stunning UHD picture quality as we’ve packed the schedule with new blockbuster dramas, such as ‘The Get Down’ from Baz Luhrman, and ‘Bloodline’, as well as pixel-packed documentaries from our new partnership with the Smithsonian Channel.


“We’re offering the ultimate entertainment viewing experience – it really is the next best thing to being there.”


How to watch Virgin TV Ultra HD


Virgin TV Ultra HD is available for Virgin TV Full House and VIP customers with a V6 set-top box at no extra cost. The channel is on air at prime-time until the early hours.


Virgin Media customers with 4K televisions and a V6 set-top box can take their TV viewing to the next level when watching UHD programming as they will experience life-like picture quality, unbelievably crisp colours and stunning detail.


The V6 is Virgin Media’s fastest, smartest and smallest set-top box and offers lightning fast access to YouTube and Netflix in 4K. The V6 is free to new customers taking one of Virgin Media’s bundles (TV, broadband and telephone). More than two million Virgin TV customers have a V6 box in the UK.


Full House and VIP customers without a 4K set can still watch Virgin TV Ultra HD as the picture will automatically adjust to HD quality.


ENDS

Note to editors:


Highlights from Virgin TV Ultra HD line-up:


February

The Get Down (Sony) – 18/02/19

Rooted (Love Nature) – 20/02/19

Reef Wrecks (Love Nature) – 22/02/19

Snarky Puppy at L’Olympia (Stingray) – 24/02/19


March

Aerial Cities: Miami (Smithsonian Channel) – 05/03/19

Bloodline (Sony) – 07/03/19

Culture Club: Live at Wembley (DCD Rights) – 09/03/19

La Gazetta (Stingray) 10/03/19

Americans Underground: Secret City of WWI (Smithsonian Channel) – 19/03/19


April

Masters of Sex (Sony) – 05/04/19

House of Cards (Sony) – 10/04/19

Shark Squad (Love Nature) – 12/04/19

Land of Primates (Love Nature) – 17/04/19


May

Absentia (Sony) – 06/05/19

Smithsonian Time Capsule: 1968 (Smithsonian Channel) – 07/05/19

About Virgin Media

Virgin Media offers four multi award-winning services across the UK and Ireland: broadband, TV, mobile phone and landline.

Our dedicated, ultrafast network delivers the fastest widely-available broadband speeds to homes and businesses and we’re expanding this through our Project Lightning programme, which could extend our network to up to 17 million premises.

Our interactive Virgin TV service brings live TV, thousands of hours of on-demand programming and the best apps and games to customers through a set-top box, as well as on-the-go through tablets and smartphones.

Virgin Mobile launched the world’s first virtual mobile network and offers fantastic value and innovative services with 4G connectivity. We are also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the UK and Ireland.

Through Virgin Media Business we support entrepreneurs, businesses and the public sector, delivering the fastest widely available broadband speeds and tailor-made services.

Virgin Media is part of Liberty Global, the world’s largest international TV and broadband company. Liberty Global connects 21 million customers through operations in 10 countries across Europe subscribing to 45 million TV, broadband internet and telephony services. It also serves 6 million mobile subscribers and offers WiFi service through 12 million access points across its footprint.