Virgin Media reaches agreement to keep ITV channels on TV subscription

Virgin Media has reached a long-term agreement with ITV that will allow customers continued access to the network's channels for the next three years.

There had been speculation Virgin Media viewers would lose access to ITV channels and popular shows such as Love Island as a result of a a long-running dispute between the two companies.

But the new deal will bring an expanded range of channels – ITV, ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 – to viewers as well as its plus one-hour channels, on-demand services, and premium box sets.

The advertising, marketing and promotion of ITV content will also be increased across Virgin Media.

The agreement comes after Virgin Media customers lost 10 channels from their subscriptions, after UKTV pulled the liked of Dave and Gold following ongoing disputes between the two companies.

Tom Mockridge, CEO of Virgin Media, said: “This is the start of a positive new chapter for ITV and Virgin Media, forging a deeper relationship. “We are pleased to be extending our long term partnership, bringing significant new benefits to both companies and our respective viewers and customers.

“With an expanded range of fantastic programming and services, our customers can now enjoy more ITV than ever before.”

Carolyn McCall, CEO of ITV, said: “Viewers and customers are at the heart of everything we do at ITV and this focus will become increasingly important as we continue to make our fantastic content available to audiences wherever they are, and whenever they want to watch.

“We are therefore pleased to be extending and enhancing our long term relationship with Virgin Media.

“This exciting new commercial partnership has many benefits for both our businesses and for consumers.

“It recognises ITV’s ongoing investment in brilliant programming, and the great platform that Virgin Media has created, as well as providing audiences with more choice and a much improved viewing experience, whether they are at home or on the move.”