Virgin Media gets Channel 4 in high definitionWatch Desperate Housewives in HD on Virgin TV

29 July 2009

Virgin Media trials super fast 200Mbps cable broadband

Virgin Media's TV customers will soon be able to watch popular Channel 4 TV shows like Desperate Housewives, Skins and Shameless in high definition TV (HDTV).

Channel 4's high definition service, 4HD, joins the likes of Living, MTV and FX as the latest channels to be launched in HD on Virgin Media's cable TV service. 

FX , MTV and National Geographic are launching in HD on Virgin Media’s TV platform tomorrow, while 4HD and Living HD are 'coming soon' according to Virgin Media.

Virgin already shows some BBC iPlayer content in high definition. For more information on BBC iPlayer and other similar online TV services, see the Which? guide to online TV.

How to get HDTV

You'll only be able to watch HDTV services if you have the right digital TV equipment. 

This includes an HD-ready TV set - the Which? LCD and plasma TVs review has full details of the best HDTV models on the market, including Which? Best Buy HDTVs. 

Virgin V+ HD box

To watch Virgin's HDTV content, you’ll also need to get Virgin’s HD box called 'V+'. The V+ box costs £99. A further £5 a month subscription fee applies to customers on Virgin's Size M or L TV packages. Customers who opt for Virgin's top XL package don't have to pay the monthly fee, but this package isn't cheap at £32.50 a month (including a cable phone line).

Virgin Media's TV deals are available as a bundle with phone and broadband services, which could save you money overall - to see how Which? members rate Virgin Media compared to other phone, TV and broadband providers, check the Which? review of phone, internet and TV packages.

Get HD for free

You can get BBC and ITV HD programmes for no monthly charge if you have a Freesat HD digital box, or a TV with Freesat HD built in. 

The Which? review on Freesat has information on HD content you can get without paying a monthly fee.

Pay-TV company Sky also has a wide range of HD content, but it comes at a high monthly cost. For more information on HD services, see the Which? guide to high definition TV explained. The Which? guide on digital TV options has more information on Virgin Media, Sky, BT Vision and all the major digital TV providers.