Virgin Media customers can now watch Tubi through their TV boxes at no extra cost, adding over 60,000 free films and TV episodes to their viewing options.
The free (ad-supported) streaming service went live on Virgin Media today (December 3), meaning millions more UK households can access Tubi’s library without needing to faff about with separate devices.
It’s another piece in Virgin Media’s ongoing streaming puzzle, and marks another milestone for Tubi as it continues expanding in the UK market.
What Is Tubi?
For those unfamiliar with the service, Tubi is a free streaming platform owned by Fox Corporation that offers a vast catalogue of films and TV shows supported by adverts rather than subscriptions.
Think of it as the streaming equivalent of traditional broadcast TV – you don’t pay to watch, but you’ll sit through commercial breaks, just like other popular free ad-supported services like Pluto TV, The Roku Channel and more.
The platform initially launched in the UK years ago before withdrawing in 2018 due to GDPR regulations. After that six-year disappearing act, Tubi made its comeback in July 2024, initially offering around 20,000 films and TV episodes.
Since then, the service has grown considerably. By mid-2024, Tubi had doubled its UK library size through deals with major studios including AMC Networks, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, New Regency, and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Those partnerships brought recognisable titles like Baby Driver, The Da Vinci Code, Ghostbusters (2016), and the Resident Evil franchise to the platform, alongside thousands of more obscure offerings.
Globally, Tubi has reached over 100 million monthly active users, with more than half of its audience made up of Gen Z and Millennials.
Tubi Lands On Virgin Media
Virgin Media customers can now access Tubi’s entire UK catalogue through the Virgin TV app at no extra cost – no separate subscription needed.
The library includes everything from fan favourites and cult classics to major blockbusters across all genres.
In December, viewers can watch titles like Zombieland, Baby Driver, Bend it Like Beckham, Jack and Jill, Robin Hood (2018), and La La Land.
The service also features Tubi Originals, including the documentary Naomi Osaka: The Second Set, Michelle Dockery’s Please Don’t Feed the Children, and the hit films Sidelined: The QB and Me and its sequel Sidelined 2: Intercepted.
Ross Appleton, General Manager UK at Tubi, said: “Our partnership with Virgin Media enables us to connect more UK viewers with free movies and TV series they’re passionate about. As a platform known for curating top-tier entertainment, Virgin Media is an ideal home for Tubi’s expansive catalogue.”
The addition of Tubi fits neatly into Virgin Media’s recent strategy of expanding its streaming offerings. With over 60,000 titles available at no charge, it’s a substantial content boost for Virgin TV subscribers.
Virgin Media’s Streaming Push Continues
This latest addition comes during a year when Virgin Media has been aggressively reshaping its TV service around streaming.
Back in July, the company made its Stream box – a streaming-only device with no recording capability – the default option for all new TV customers.
The traditional TV 360 box with recording functionality is still available if you specifically request it, but Virgin is clearly steering people towards streaming.
In October, Virgin overhauled its entire pricing structure, bundling Netflix Standard with Ads into most broadband and TV packages. The company also finally upgraded Sky Sports channels to HD at no extra cost, though it did increase annual price rises from £3.50 to £4 per month.
More recently, Virgin added on-demand functionality to 11 of its FAST channels, letting customers watch content via catch-up rather than being tied to scheduled programming.
The company now offers 36 FAST channels in total, reaching half a million viewers monthly.
And just this week, Virgin opened up its Ultra HD channel (channels 175 and 999) to all TV customers throughout December, offering films and documentaries in 4K at no extra cost until January 2, 2026.
The pattern is unmistakable – Virgin Media is betting heavily on streaming as the future of television, with FAST channels and free ad-supported services like Tubi playing increasingly important roles in that strategy.
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