Important news about Virgin Media

From April 1 2010, analogue cable users will only receive BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five. Virgin Media will be switching off the analogue cable service completely on the 1 July 2010.

If you have already upgraded your service to receive Digital TV your service will NOT be affected.

Currently all tenants and some leaseholders pay 90p per week towards the cost of the Virgin Media analogue service. From 1 April we will no longer be charging this fee.

However if you have subscribed to the enhanced Virgin Media DIGITAL service they will contact you to revise your bill so that you are paying the full amount directly to them.

What shall I do next?

Houses and bungalows
If you are a tenant in a house, and you don’t want to subscribe to a digital cable service, you will have to install an aerial by the time Virgin Media switch off the analogue signal. You must ask us for consent to do this first, but this is a simple process.

New equipment in flat blocks
Planning regulations mean that it is much more complicated for tenants in flat blocks to install satellite or aerial systems so we will be installing new equipment into flat blocks and sheltered housing schemes. The system will provide the five channels above. You will however require a set top box to prepare for full digital switchover in 2011 just like the rest of the region. If you install a digital set top box you will be able to receive more free channels straight away.

We are writing to all customers to explain how this will affect individual households. If you haven’t received your letter please contact our customer service centre on 01438 242666.

You can find a range of factsheets and FAQs about Virgin Media and how these changes will effect tenants living in houses, flats and sheltered housing, by clicking the link below:

Virgin Media and Digital TV factsheets and FAQs

We have also arranged a public meeting for you to learn more about these changes. This is on Tuesday 9 March at 8pm in the Council Chamber, Daneshill House, Danestrete.

For more information about digital television and to find out more about different ways to receive a television signal visit www.digitaluk.co.uk or ring 08456 505050.