Virgin Media upgrades Stream with new channels

New and existing Virgin Media TV customers with a Stream box will benefit from new features and over 100 channels at no extra cost, including a range of HD and +1 options.

Updates to the Stream box include the expansion of 'My Watchlist', and red button functionality for those subscribed to Sky Sports.

Sky Sports UHD has also been made available on Stream, after it was previously added to the Virgin TV platform last year.

Credit: Virginmedia.com

Virgin Stream updates

Virgin Media has announced two main updates to the Stream box for new and existing customers.

The existing 'My Watchlist' feature is being expanded to allow customers to access more of the content they want to watch from different sources all in one place.

This means viewers will be able to save content from on-demand services like Netflix and Prime Video, alongside programmes saved from linear TV channels either through Freeview or from the premium channel packs offered by Stream.

Those who subscribe to Sky Sports will also now be able to benefit from extra red button functionality, with viewers able to experience HD match selection for the first time, as well as in-game recap clips for football and F1, and access the latest news and highlight clips too.

David Bouchier, Chief TV and Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: "We are constantly looking to enhance our TV offering and add value for our customers. With over 100 channels now available on Stream as well as the enhancement of My Watchlist and improved red button access, our customers can enjoy even more live sport and entertainment all in one place - at no extra cost.

"Virgin Media O2 now provides more IP channels than any other provider, and we will be continuing to introduce even more exciting updates and features throughout the year so keep an eye out."

This update follows a recent update to the Virgin TV platform in October 2023, which also saw features such as 'Skip intro' and 'Watch next' added to the Stream box, as well as improvements to text search and the user interface.

Stream TV channels

Virgin Media Stream offers a subscription-free way to watch Freeview as well as additional channels added to the platform, which Virgin say is now over 100.

Pluto TV was added to both Stream and TV 360 platforms in July 2023, along with a number of themed channels such as Homes Under The Hammer, Deal or No Deal, Fear Factor, and Wipeout Xtra.

Stream customers also get a wide range of HD and plus one channels.

Those willing to take out additional subscriptions for extra TV content can also now benefit from new partnerships with Paramount+ and Apple TV+, which were both added to the TV 360 and Stream boxes last year, helping to bring Virgin in line with Sky.

However, Virgin Stream is still behind Sky in terms of on-demand app support, and also misses out on Sky's exclusive Sky Atlantic channel and some Sky Originals programming.

Sky Stream offers access to Discovery+, Peacock, Spotify, Fiit, and Peloton, all of which are still missing from Virgin boxes.

Read more in our Virgin Stream vs Sky Stream guide.