In a move set to enrich its viewers’ television experience, Virgin Media has announced that Pluto TV, a leading free, ad-supported streaming service, is now available for the company’s TV customers.
This development means that Pluto TV is now directly accessible on Virgin Media’s set-top boxes at no additional cost.
It’s available on both the Virgin TV 360 box, and the company’s broadband-based box, the Virgin Media Stream.
Pluto TV offers an extensive range of programming, featuring over 100 live linear channels that span a variety of genres including drama, news, sport, entertainment, and kids’ programmes, along with thousands of on-demand films and television series.
Notable channels include the UK home of the popular chat series The Drew Barrymore Show and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
Another highlight is the inclusion of curated live channels in the Pluto TV app, such as 5 Cops, featuring the best of Channel 5’s ‘blue light’ series including Police Interceptors and Motorway Cops
Pluto TV’s addition comes as part of a broader multi-year distribution agreement between Paramount and Virgin Media, which also brought Paramount+ to Virgin Media’s boxes, earlier this year.
But what does this mean to Virgin Media’s customers, exactly?
In November 2022, Virgin Media and Paramount entered a multi-year distribution agreement, extending their existing long-term partnership.
As part of this agreement, Paramount’s streaming service Paramount+, along with Pluto TV, were scheduled to be added to Virgin Media’s devices in 2023.
Paramount+ finally became available on some Virgin Media boxes in May, and now Pluto TV joins the lineup, providing an even broader range of entertainment options for Virgin Media customers.
The partnership with Virgin Media is a significant move for Pluto TV, demonstrating the streaming service’s ambitious growth plans and its ongoing efforts to expand its distribution footprint.
Olivier Jollet, Executive Vice President and International General Manager at Pluto TV, expressed excitement over the partnership, stating, “We are glad to continue to collaborate with Virgin Media to bring Pluto TV content to a wider audience in the UK”
Pluto TV: Free Entertainment… With Adverts
Pluto TV, now a subsidiary of Paramount, is a free, ad-supported streaming television service (FAST) that is part of a trend that’s been making waves in the television industry.
Launched in the UK in late 2018, Pluto TV’s unique approach to broadcasting allows users to enjoy a wide variety of content without the need for a traditional subscription or contract.
Instead, it relies on an ad-based revenue model, offering viewers an array of linear, themed streaming channels and on-demand content at no extra cost – but with advert breaks.
This model is becoming more and more popular in the streaming TV arena, with some popular examples being Amazon’s Freevee service, Rakuten TV, and many other websites that offer free (and legal) streaming movies.
Pluto TV’s offering in the UK includes more than 100 curated channels that cover a broad spectrum of interests, from reality TV programmes such as Hell’s Kitchen and CSI: Miami, to MTV Movie Hits and thematic channels like Pluto TV Halloween and Pluto TV Crime.
In addition, Pluto TV provides an array of free on-demand films and series that cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences.
Beyond the mainstay of entertainment and drama, Pluto TV also caters to more specific interests with its diverse channel lineup.
For example, fans of vintage television can enjoy dedicated channels such as “Pluto TV 70s”, a channel that broadcasts classic shows from the 1970s.
There are also channels dedicated to specific shows, allowing fans to watch their favourite series around the clock.
The arrival of Pluto TV on Virgin Media’s devices is set to make this compelling service even more accessible to viewers across the UK. It’s worth noting that Pluto TV is not currently available on Sky’s streaming devices, Sky Stream and Sky Glass).
Pluto Now On Virgin TV 360 And Stream
Virgin Media’s TV 360 and Stream devices both support Pluto TV, as of this week.
TV 360, Virgin Media’s “traditional” TV platform, offers access to 190 channels and up to three mini 360 boxes around the home for the full multi-room experience.
It also provides access to the Virgin TV Go app so customers can stream their favourite content from their phone or tablet, whenever and wherever suits them.
Stream, available to both new and existing customers who take a Virgin Media broadband-only or broadband and landline bundle, offers complete flexibility with a 30-day rolling contract and no ongoing cost beyond the streaming subscriptions they choose to subscribe to.
Stream customers can also benefit from Stream credit, which provides a 10% saving on select streaming services added via their Virgin TV bill.
- Streaming Boxes Compared: Virgin Media Stream VS Sky Stream
Although the library of apps on Virgin Media Stream doesn’t quite match those of third-party streaming devices like Amazon’s Fire TV or Roku, the inclusion of Pluto TV is a significant stride towards improvement.
To access Pluto TV’s extensive range of programming, customers on either TV 360 or Stream, simply need to head to the apps section on Virgin TV or use the voice search function on their remote., and say “Pluto TV”.