STV AND VIRGIN MEDIA AGREE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

RNS Number : 5310Z

STV Group PLC

03 September 2018

 

PRESS RELEASE                 PRESS RELEASE                 PRESS RELEASE

STV AND VIRGIN MEDIA AGREE FOUR-YEAR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

3 September 2018

STV and Virgin Media have today signed a four-year strategic partnership which creates increased value for both businesses and will see Virgin TV customers in Scotland having access to fully regionalised versions of STV in HD for the first time.

The agreement, which results in a new commercial relationship between the two companies, includes the launch of STV Player on Virgin Media's set top boxes, also for the first time, as well as an enhanced marketing commitment from Virgin Media on STV's services.

The agreement includes the following:

·     Virgin Media will broadcast STV in HD in all cabled STV regions (Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee) on EPG slot 103

·     Enhanced promotion for STV's brand and programmes on Virgin Media's set top boxes as well as through Virgin Media's customer channels

·     Integration of the STV Player app and STV catch up programming on Virgin Media set top boxes for the first time

·     Increased marketing presence for Virgin Media on STV's services

Simon Pitts, CEO of STV, said: 

"Virgin Media's TV platform is very popular right across Scotland and we're delighted to be enhancing our partnership and extending the reach of STV's fantastic programmes through this innovative, long term agreement. We'll be giving our Virgin viewers two "firsts", the launch of STV Player and the launch of all STV regional variants in full HD, allowing Scottish audiences to access our popular shows however and whenever they want them."

David Bouchier, Chief Digital Entertainment Officer at Virgin Media said:

"We are very pleased to have agreed this long term partnership with STV.  It is fantastic news for our customers in Scotland as it will be the first part of the UK where channel 3 will be fully regionalised in HD.  Virgin Media's Scottish customers will be able to watch their local version of STV for the first time in HD, no matter in which part of the country they live."

ENDS

Enquiries:

Katie Martin: 0141 300 3109, [e-mail] 

Ellen Drummond: 0141 300 3341/07803 970143, [e-mail]  

About STV

STV is Scotland's leading digital media brand, providing consumers with quality content on air, online and on demand. 

STV's broadcast channel reaches 3.5 million viewers each month with first class programming including soaps Emmerdale and Coronation Street, big drama productions, entertainment hits The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, strong home-grown productions and the most comprehensive local news service in the UK. 

STV Productions is one of the UK's leading content businesses with ambitious plans for domestic and international growth. The company has a record of success across a range of genres, including drama, entertainment and factual, producing programmes for a variety of broadcasters. Highlights include entertainment show Catchphrase for ITV, ratings winner Antiques Road Trip for BBC One and documentaries Britain's Polar Bear Cub for Channel 4, Ross Kemp Behind Bars - Inside Barlinnie for ITV and Prison: First & Last 24 Hours for Sky1. In drama, four part thriller The Victim is currently in production for BBC One, and STV Productions recently announced a second BBC commission - 90 minute drama Elizabeth is Missing.

STV's digital business incorporates Scotland's most popular commercial media website, stv.tv, and includes an enhanced digital news app serving consumers local, national and international news as well as features, sport and weather in one place.  The STV Player offers consumers within STV's licence areas in Scotland the opportunity to enjoy programmes live or on catch-up.

STV content is available across platforms including iOS, Android, YouView and Samsung Smart TV.

 

END

 

 

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