| Virgin1 | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | 1 October 2007 |
| Owned by | Virgin Media Television |
| Picture format | PAL (576i, 16:9) (SDTV) |
| Audience share | 0.7% (0.3% for +1) (September 2009, BARB) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Replaced | Ftn |
| Sister channel(s) | Virgin Central |
| Timeshift service | Virgin1+1 |
| Website | virgin1.co.uk |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Freeview | Channel 20 (09:00-00:00) Channel 35 (+1) (18:00 - 06:00) |
| Satellite | |
| Sky Digital | Channel 121 Channel 122 (+1) |
| Cable | |
| Virgin Media On Demand Content in |
Channel 119 Channel 120 (+1) Catch-Up TV On Demand TV Choice On Demand |
| UPC Ireland | Channel 129 |
Virgin1 is the flagship television channel operated by the British broadcaster Virgin Media Television. The channel was launched on 1 October 2007 at 9pm on Freeview, Virgin Media and Sky Digital, replacing Ftn. The channel is broadcast 24 hours on cable, satellite and Freeview complemented by timeshift channel Virgin1+1. On Tuesday June 9th 2009, the channel underwent a rebranding complete with new idents, break bumpers and onscreen identity. As part of the rebrand a mascot called Red was introduced, a puppet character from the creator of the ITV Digital Monkey. In the future "Red" will be voiced and will have arguments with the continuity announcer.
Contents |
History
It was announced in the summer of 2007 that Virgin Media Television was to launch the new channel.[1] The network had previously expressed their interest in running a general entertainment channel, to coincide with the relaunch of NTL:Telewest to Virgin Media. At first the company stated that all of their other channels including Ftn would still run as normal, but because of Ftn having a key Freeview primetime slot this was later changed.[2]
Virgin1 was launched on 1 October 2007 on all platforms (Freeview, Virgin Media and Sky Digital) replacing former Virgin Media Television channel Ftn.
Some media sources have claimed that Virgin1 is intended to be in direct competition with British Sky Broadcasting's Sky1[3], which has a 1.0% share of the market equal to Virgin1's 1.0% (including +1). The channel went on to achieve its highest ratings thus far, with the season premiere of Terminator : The Sarah Connor Chronicles which secured a 4.2% share of multi channel viewers. [4]
On February 20, 2008, Virgin1 moves from Ftn's old slots 153 and 154 on Sky Digital and took over Bravo's slots 123 and 124, which are placed higher up on the EPG.[5]
On 27 April 2009, it was announced that Virgin1 (on Freeview) would move from multiplex D to multiplex A, allowing the channel to broadcast 24 hours a day. Virgin1's vacated slot has been used to launch Virgin1+1 which broadcasts from 18:00 to 06:00. In Wales, Virgin1 is only available from 9am to 7pm, with the +1 service only available from 7pm.
On 14 May 2009, Virgin Media Television announced plans to revamp the channel with a new look including a new logo and feel to the channel, this launched on 9 June 2009 at 21:00.[6] A new mascot, Red, was introduced along with the logo.
On 20 October 2009, Virgin1 reduced its hours on Freeview to 09:00 - 00:00, allowing Tease Me TV to launch.
As of 30 October 2009, Virgin 1 will air TNA Impact at 21.00. This is the first time wresting has been aired on free television in the UK in well over a decade
Launch night
On the launch night, the channel broadcast three hours of looped previews accompanied by a countdown until the official launch at 21:00. The channel officially launched at 9pm with an ident featuring Richard Branson followed by Criminal Minds.
The following is the launch lineup and viewing figures:
| Time | Programme Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18.00 | Previews | Previews shown on loop until official launch |
| 21.00 | Criminal Minds | This show attracted 347,000 viewers |
| 22.00 | The Riches | This show attracted 419,000 viewers |
| 23.15 | Penis Envy | This show attracted 158,000 viewers |
Notable shows
The schedule for Virgin1 currently consists of a mixture of American and British comedy, drama and factual programming, both acquired and commissioned. The channel is pitched between female-targeted channel Living and male-targeted channel Bravo. In addition to exclusive content, Virgin1 shows some content from Living, Bravo and Challenge.
V Funny Sunday
V Funny Sunday was a programming block that aired on Sunday evenings from 7 October until 24 February 2008 which featured classic comedy from the United States. The block was thought to have taken inspiration from the US network Fox (owned by Sky1 parent News Corp) which airs a comedy block on Sunday evenings (known as LOL Sunday). During its time on air the block schedule was altered and shortened in an attempt to improve ratings.
The block started in October with three programmes over a three hour period. however this changed in November with an expansion in both programming and when it would air, moving from a starting time of 9pm to the earlier time of 7pm. Both Help Me Help You and Boston Legal were replaced by The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and That 70s Show.
From 2 December the V Funny Sunday programming block was changed once again and shortened to two hours, with Seinfeld being removed from its 9pm slot to make way for factual programming such as Crime Invasion and the ....Envy series. On the 24 February 2008, the channel pulled the block of programming.
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7 October to 4 November
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11 November to 24 November
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2 December to 24 February
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Logos
 Original Virgin1 logo |
Current Virgin1 logo |
References
- ^ "Virgin Media Television announces Virgin 1". Virgin Media Press Office. 12 June 2007. http://pressoffice.virginmedia.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=205406&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1014424&highlight. Retrieved 2006-08-24.
- ^ "Launch of Virgin 1 on Freeview". Freeview.co.uk. http://freeview.co.uk/help/channels-programming/q102. Retrieved 2006-08-24.
- ^ "Virgin 1 Freeview channel to rival Sky One". Tech.co.uk. 11 June 2007. http://www.tech.co.uk/home-entertainment/video/film-and-tv/news/virgin-1-freeview-channel-to-rival-sky-one?articleid=1656449795. Retrieved 2007-11-04.
- ^ Terminator series gives Virgin 1 record audience - Brand Republic Login - Brand Republic
- ^ "Virgin 1 takes Bravo's Sky EPG slots". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a88360/virgin-1-takes-bravos-sky-epg-slots.html.
- ^ "Virgin1 to go 24 hours on Freeview". Digital Spy. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/a154088/virgin1-to-go-24-hours-on-freeview.html. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
External links
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