Virgin Media TV channels

Dan Howdle • November 28th, 2024

Virgin Media continues to compete with Sky as one of the UK's top subscription TV providers, but when it comes to combining broadband and TV, Virgin Media often takes the lead with its ultrafast broadband speeds, which are available wherever you can get Virgin Media.

Virgin no longer offers standalone TV packages, so you’ll need to bundle TV with broadband. But what are you getting exactly? The Virgin TV 360 box continues to be a strong contender for best set-top box for sure, but what about the channels? And can it really compete with Sky?

Popular channels on Virgin Media TV

Virgin TV and its 360 TV box continue to rival Sky's offerings, with the main exception still being Sky Atlantic, which remains exclusive to Sky and partners using its NOW TV service such as BT/EE and TalkTalk. Virgin Media's channel lineup boasts over 400 options, including premium and niche channel add-ons. Rather than list them all, here are some of the standout channels currently available. You can view the full list of channels on Virgin Media's website.

• Sky Max – Replacing Sky One, Sky Max delivers a mix of entertainment and drama, including shows like A League of Their Own, Rob & Romesh Vs, and The Lazarus Project
• Sky Sports – A must for sports fans, Sky Sports offers dedicated channels for football, cricket, F1, and more, alongside Sky Sports News and Main Event. Current highlights include Premier League matches, Formula 1 races, and The Hundred cricket tournament
• Sky Cinema – This premium add-on includes 11 movie channels and an extensive on-demand library. Current highlights include blockbuster premieres like Top Gun: Maverick and The Batman
• Virgin TV Ultra HD – Exclusively for 4K TV owners, this channel features stunning ultra-HD content such as wildlife documentaries, dramas like Riviera, and acclaimed series like Babylon Berlin
• Netflix – Bundled options let you access Netflix directly from the TV 360 box. Popular shows include Stranger Things, The Crown, The Witcher, and Wednesday
• Discovery Channel – A mix of reality and factual programming such as Gold Rush, Deadliest Catch, MythBusters, and Shark Week specials
• Sky Sci-Fi – Formerly SyFy, this channel brings sci-fi hits like Resident Alien, Chucky, The Ark, and re-runs of classic series like Battlestar Galactica
• MTV – Offers music and entertainment with shows like Teen Mom UK, Catfish, and Ex on the Beach, alongside several genre-specific MTV channels
• National Geographic – High-quality factual programming, including shows like The Rescue, Cosmos: Possible Worlds, and Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller
• Comedy Central – A go-to for laughs with staples like Friends, The Office (US), South Park, and new stand-up specials

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Freeview channels

You have probably noticed that just like Sky, the majority of channels you'll get are Freeview channels, which you can already watch on a Smart TV or with a cheap Freeview box. Freeview includes the main channels from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and 5, plus numerous entertainment and lifestyle favourites, including Pick and Film 4, and the list goes on. We won't mention them all since the wonderfully functional tool above does that job for us.

Entertainment channels

Unfortunately Sky has kept its entertainment crown jewel – Sky Atlantic – for its own customers; an understandable move, but disappointing for Virgin Media customers. However, Virgin’s Bigger Bundle offers, along with the Freeview channels, Sky Max – home to some of the best American and Sky-exclusive series.

You will also get Comedy Central offering comedy brilliance with classic Friends episodes, South Park, Everybody Loves Raymond and a range of funny films to enjoy. Fans of the weird and wonderful will enjoy watching Sky Sci-fi.

Factual and lifestyle channels

Factual and lifestyle is Virgin Media's category for channels offering everything from home improvement tips to deep dives into historical events. It's a diverse mix, where home renovation shows rub shoulders with channels delving into ancient civilisations or true crime stories.

Virgin Media offers up to 30 factual and lifestyle channels across its TV packages, though entry-level TV bundle customers only receive four: HGTV, PBS America, TBN UK, and Food Network. These channels cover a range of interests, from home renovation to global cuisine.

If you want more in-depth factual content, the more stacked Virgin TV bundles offer a full selection of documentary and lifestyle channels. These packages include History, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, and the Discovery suite, which features Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, and Investigation Discovery. Additionally, you'll get several true crime-focused channels such as Crime+Investigation and Lifetime, as well as specialised lifestyle networks like Eden and TLC.

Kids' channels

If you’ve got kids, Virgin Media has you covered with a brilliant range of children’s channels to keep the little ones entertained. Whether they’re fans of classic cartoons or educational shows, there’s plenty to choose from.

The standard Mixit TV package includes family favourites like CBBC and CBeebies, perfect for younger audiences. But if you’re looking for even more variety, you can add the Kids Pick to your package for just £5 per month. This opens up a treasure trove of popular kids’ channels like Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nick Jr. Too, and Nicktoons.

Music channels

If you're a fan of music on the telly, Virgin Media still offers a decent mix of channels, even though the choice has slimmed down a bit recently. And hey, if you're more into spinning vinyl at home, maybe these aren't aimed at you anyway.

With Virgin Media, you’ll get access to some great music channels as part of your package. On all TV plans, you’ll find NOW 70s, NOW 80s, NOW 90s & 00s, and Clubland TV. If you’re on the Bigger Bundle or Ultimate Volt Bundle, you’ll unlock even more, including MTV Music, MTV Hits, MTV Live HD, MTV 90s, and MTV 80s.

Sadly, some old favourites like The Box, Magic, and Kerrang have been retired, but there’s still plenty to keep you entertained. Plus, Virgin Media gives you access to music streaming apps like Vevo through your TV box, so you can dive into a world of music videos whenever you like.

Movie channels

When it comes to films, Virgin Media gives you plenty of options, but what you get will depend on the bundle you choose. If you love classics and indie films, the Essential Entertainment package might work for you, offering channels like Film4 and Great! Movies. But if you're after the latest blockbusters, you'll want to look at adding Sky Cinema to your package.

Sky Cinema can be added to any Virgin TV bundle for an extra monthly fee. With this, you'll get 11 Sky Cinema channels covering a variety of genres, from action and comedy to classics and family favourites. You'll also get on-demand access to hundreds of movies, including recent hits and timeless favourites.

If you're sticking to a more basic package, you’ll still find plenty to enjoy on channels like Film4, Great! Movies, and Talking Pictures. These offer an excellent selection of classic films and hidden gems, even though they don't include the very latest releases.

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Sports channels

Sports fans will find themselves very well catered for by Virgin Media's Bigger + Sports Bundle and Mega Volt Bundle. The Bigger + Sports Bundle provides several sports channels, including Eurosport 1 and 2, Sky Sports Mix, Sky Sports News, along with all the TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport) channels.

For the truly sports mad, the Mega Volt Bundle comes with all the other Sky Sports channels, including Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Sports Football, Sky Sports F1, and Sky Sports Cricket.

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