Virgin Mobile TV grabs Channel 4 simulcasts

 

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By Alun Williams

Posted on 12 Dec 2006 at 12:45

Virgin has completed the sign-up of Channel 4 to its mobile phone TV service. This now carries BBC 1 (on a trial basis), ITV1, Channel 4, E4 and ITN News.

To be specific, from today a fuller version of Channel 4 content will be available on a specific Virgin handset, the Virgin Mobile Lobster 700TV. Note, however, that licensing restrictions still prevent the mobile broadcast of certain programmes on the channel, such as some film, sport and US-produced content ('non rights-cleared programmes' in the words of Virgin).

Whereas previously content from BBC 1, ITV1 and E4 was simulcast - meaning that everything on their terrestrial counterparts was on the mobile service - Channel 4 was initially making its Short Cuts mobile-optimised channel available. It was always expected, however, to move to a full simulcast in time.

The service launched in September, using BT's DAB television service for mobile phones, via the handset from HTC.

ITN News joined the broadcast roster the following month. Up to 50 DAB digital radio stations can also be received, according to Virgin.

It was back in the summer of 2005 that Virgin first announced the pilot of its mobile phone TV service.