What to watch in ultra HD this June

Ready for a month of great telly like you’ve never seen before? Then read on to discover some of the ultra HD highlights coming up on the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel (CH 175/999) throughout June. Incredible is the theme this month, with documentaries that’ll take you to see some of the world’s most outlandish wildlife, from monster fish to killer hornets and vicious plants: there are things you’ve never imagined hiding in the depths of ocean and forest, and many of them have nasty big pointy teeth. Speaking of which, there’s movie action with John Carpenter’s Vampires, as well as Antonio Banderas flashing some steel and the third season of Karate Kid continuation Cobra Kai.

Every month Virgin TV Ultra HD brings you superb drama series, films, documentaries and more in stunning, pixel-perfect UHD. And with Virgin TV 360, you can enjoy Virgin TV Ultra HD around the home thanks to our incredible multiroom experience.

But that’s not all: there’s even more great 4K entertainment to watch with Virgin TV, including hundreds of new box sets and movies from Sky and crystal-clear sport on TNT Sports Ultimate and Sky Sports UHD for customers who subscribe. See below for some of this month’s highlights.

The Virgin TV Ultra HD channel is available to customers with a Mix, Maxit, MegaTV or Essential Entertainment package with a compatible television and our Virgin TV V6 box (powered by TiVo^®), Virgin TV 360 or Stream box. Simply go to CH 175 or CH 999 to start watching.

Please note, if you watch TV on our TiVo^® box, you will not be able to access the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel. But it’s super simple to upgrade to our latest Virgin TV box by contacting us on 0345 454 1111 (or call 150 from a Virgin Media phone). 

Don’t worry about missing any of these when they’re on: new shows and films on the Virgin TV Ultra HD Channel are available in On Demand after their original broadcast, still in eye-popping ultra HD on compatible TVs. Read on to discover our ultra HD picks on Virgin TV this June.

Sunday 1 June, 9pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

This swashbuckling swordplay romp was a huge hit and made stars of Antonio Banderas and Catherine Zeta Jones. An ageing Zorro (Anthony Hopkins) agrees to train bandit Alejandro (Banderas) as his successor in a bid to gain revenge over the corrupt governor who wronged him and stole his daughter – but really, the story takes a back seat to the breathtaking swordfights and spectacular action set-pieces, brought to the screen in style by master action director Martin Campbell (GoldenEye, Casino Royale). The chemistry between the leads crackles in this visual treat of a movie.

Wednesdays from 4 June, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

Andy Coetzee is an extreme angler. If that doesn’t sound impressive, wait till you get an ultra HD look at the extraordinary fish he’s aiming to catch in this three-part series. First, Coetzee heads for the wild habitats of Lake Victoria in search of a Nile perch, a legendary marine monster that can weigh up to 200kg. Then he ventures into the murky waters among the oil rigs off the coast of Gabon on a quest to find the giant barracuda, which can grow to two metres long and is armed with razor-sharp teeth, before a trip to the Seychelles to find the hyper-aggressive dogtooth tuna. 

Thursday 5 June, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

If the flutter of nocturnal wings makes your hair stand on end, this fascinating film could change your mind about bats. You’ll be amazed to discover the sucker-footed bat, the tent-building bat and the bulldog bat – which gets its name from its distinctive snout, and is surprisingly adept at fishing. Or how about a bat with a tongue twice the length of its body? Could come in useful… All these captivating creatures are shot using state-of-the-art technology and techniques, allowing you to see ultra-detailed pictures that are as incredible as the bats themselves.

Saturday 7 June, 10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

Jack Crow (James Woods), leader of a team of vampire hunters backed by the Vatican, swears revenge when his squad is attacked by bloodsuckers – but his mission becomes even more urgent when a priest (Tim Guinee) reveals that the vampire leader is closing in on an artefact that would allow the nightwalkers to live in daylight. He enlists the help of a troubled young woman (Sheryl Lee), who has a psychic link to the vampire, but time is running out… This hugely enjoyable fantasy from horror legend John Carpenter is full of fire, blood and fury and will keep fans thoroughly entertained.

Thursday 12 June, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

Here’s a remarkable documentary to sink your teeth into – one that shows the power of evolution in action. See how various animals in different environments have developed their gnashing abilities over the millennia, from the hippo’s huge tusks for fighting and the hyena’s bone-crushing jaws to the great white shark’s hundreds of lethally sharp teeth and the moray eel with its pair of mouths. There are teeth that never stop growing and even teeth that can kill their owner. In crystal-clear ultra HD that makes the chompers sparkle, this is far more fun than a trip to the dentist.

Season 3, Thursdays from 19 June, 9pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

Allowing conflict to spill over outside the dojo isn’t good for anyone. In the aftermath of the school brawl that left Miguel (Xolo Maridueña) in hospital, hostility between the rival groups is becoming a serious problem, so Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny (William Zabka) must put aside their differences and work together to prevent further violence. That could be easier said than done where the volatile Hawk (Jacob Bertrand) is concerned… Another season of high-energy drama that balances nostalgia with fresh storylines and, of course, lightning-fast martial arts action.

Thursday 19 June, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

Heard the one about the fish that can’t swim? It’s not a joke – the frogfish has lost its swimming ability and shuffles across the sea bed using its fins. Discover the wolf fish, which enjoys munching on spiny sea urchins, and the hagfish, which exudes bucketfuls of noxious slime when threatened. But the star of the show is the magnificently named sarcastic fringehead, which can dislocate its entire head and extend its open mouth to ridiculous proportions to discourage others from encroaching on its territory. And there are more where they came from in this eye-popping documentary that spotlights the oceans’ freakiest fish.

Wednesday 25 June, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

There’s a fierce war raging deep in the forests of Japan and it’s been continuing for thousands of years. Venomous giant hornets are locked in a battle for territory with their deadly rivals, the yellowjackets – smaller, but with numbers on their side. With resources limited and the colonies’ future generations to be nurtured, it’s a desperate fight for survival. And there’s a complicating factor in the form of honeybees. Narrated by actor Adrian Lester (The Undeclared War), the film gets up startlingly close to these complex insects for an eye-opening look into a largely unseen world.

Thursday 26 June, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

While the toothy predators of Incredible Fangs are captivating, Incredible Gulpers takes the oral intensity to another level. Here you’ll find creatures that defend their homes by fighting with their mouths, like the orange-throated pikeblenny; animals that can swallow vast amounts of food at a time, like the humpback whale and various birds and snakes; and hunters like the Nile crocodile, which uses all means at its disposal to tear its prey to shreds before gulping it down – horns and all. Then there are the carnivorous plants that set traps and wait for insects and even rodents to fall into them. There’s no escape… It’s unsettling but engrossing stuff that’ll make you grateful for your opposable thumbs.

Simply go to CH 175 or CH 999 to access Virgin TV Ultra HD. Don’t have a 4K TV? Never fear, because you can also watch the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel through your HD TV. Lucky you!

Please note, if you watch TV on our TiVo^® box, you will not be able to access the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel. But it’s super-simple to upgrade to our latest Virgin TV box by contacting us on 0345 454 1111 (or call 150 from a Virgin Media phone).