Virgin Media is giving some of its FAST channels a feature they’ve never had before – the ability to watch content on-demand rather than being tied to a fixed schedule.
FAST channels – Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television – are streaming TV channels that work like traditional linear TV, with scheduled programming and advert breaks. Think Freeview, but delivered over broadband instead of through an aerial.
From today, 11 of Virgin’s most popular FAST channels will have their content available via catch-up, letting customers watch episodes whenever they want rather than tuning in at specific times.
Adding catch-up to channels that were designed to recreate the traditional TV experience might seem a bit backwards. But it actually brings Virgin’s FAST channels in line with how other popular services like Pluto TV and Tubi already work – offering both linear channels and on-demand libraries.
The move comes just days after Virgin added another FAST channel to its lineup, and forms part of the company’s ongoing push to make streaming the default way its customers watch TV.
Virgin’s FAST Journey
Virgin Media first ventured into FAST channels back in July 2023, when it added 14 channels to its Electronic Programming Guide. The idea was to integrate these streaming channels seamlessly alongside traditional broadcast channels, all accessible from the same TV guide.
The company has been steadily expanding the offering since then.
In May 2024, it added 11 channels covering everything from crime documentaries to concerts. Earlier this year, reality TV channels featuring Hell’s Kitchen and Eggheads joined the lineup, followed by Wonder and Red Bull TV in March.
The expansion has been consistent – Virgin recently said that FAST channel viewers reach half a million every month across its portfolio.
That’s a decent audience for what is essentially repackaged content delivered in a traditional TV format, and it suggests there’s genuine demand for this middle ground between traditional linear TV and full on-demand streaming.
What’s Changed?
Virgin TV customers can now access catch-up content from 11 FAST channels via the On Demand streaming app or through the Search function on their TV boxes.
The channels getting on-demand treatment are:
- Next Up Live Comedy
- Love Pets
- Haunt TV
- Homes Under The Hammer
- Baywatch
- Real Crime
- Real Wild
- History Hit
- Wonder
- The Chat Show Channel
- TRACE Sport Stars
This is the first time any native FAST channels on Virgin Media have offered catch-up functionality. Previously, if you missed something on one of these channels, it was gone – just like old-school broadcast TV.
Content from Pluto TV channels (including Catfish, 5 Cops, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) and Rakuten TV channels can also be accessed on-demand, but you’ll need to open those respective apps rather than using Virgin’s own catch-up service.
The feature is available to all Virgin TV customers on V6, Virgin TV 360, and Stream boxes at no extra cost.
Oh, and if you were hoping to ditch the adverts this way – they’ll be waiting for you on the on-demand section as well.
A New FAST Channel Joins The Lineup
Just last week, Virgin Media also added Inside Outside to its FAST channel collection.
The new channel (available on Channel 231) focuses on food, homes, and gardens, featuring familiar faces like Gordon Ramsay, Paul Hollywood, Heston Blumenthal, Kevin McCloud, George Clarke, and Alan Titchmarsh.
This brings Virgin’s total FAST channel lineup to 36 channels, all available at no additional cost beyond your standard Virgin TV subscription.
David Bouchier, Chief TV and Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “We’re making unmissable content even easier to enjoy by making linear FAST channel content available on-demand so Virgin TV customers can tune in at any time and at no extra cost.”
The FAST Channel Paradox
It might sound slightly contradictory to add on-demand functionality to FAST channels.
The entire point of Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television channels was to recreate the traditional linear TV experience – scheduled programming, the ability to flip through channels, and that sense of “what’s on now” rather than endless browsing through libraries.
FAST channels were meant to bring back the simplicity of just turning on the TV and watching whatever was airing, rather than facing decision paralysis from thousands of on-demand options.
So adding catch-up might seem like it defeats the purpose.
But in practice, this is exactly how the most popular FAST services already operate. Pluto TV offers on-demand content alongside its linear channels. Tubi does the same.
The two approaches aren’t mutually exclusive – you can have scheduled programming for people who want to just switch on and watch, while also letting others catch up on missed episodes.
Not every show on these services is available on-demand (licensing restrictions often apply), but having the option there serves both types of viewers.
Some people genuinely do prefer the lean-back experience of linear channels, while others want the flexibility to watch on their own schedule.
Virgin Media’s approach now mirrors this – you can still channel surf through the FAST lineup in the traditional way, but if you miss something or want to binge a particular show, the option’s there.
Where Virgin Media’s TV Service Is Headed
All of this fits into Virgin Media’s broader streaming push.
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 ask for it, but Virgin is clearly pushing people towards streaming.
In October, Virgin overhauled its entire pricing structure, bundling Netflix Standard with Ads into most broadband and TV packages.
Sky Sports channels finally got upgraded to HD at no extra cost (about time, frankly), and the company increased its annual price rises from £3.50 to £4 per month.
Virgin Media is betting heavily on streaming as the future of TV, with FAST channels playing a key role in that strategy.
Black Friday Deals
If you’re considering Virgin Media’s TV services, the company is currently running its Black Friday deals, with various offers on broadband and TV bundles that include 3 months free.
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