Virgin Media customers get 13 premium TV channels for free – and the timing is perfect

Virgin Media O2 has made its full range of kids channels and on-demand children’s content available to millions of customers for free. The 13 channels – which include Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon – will be available to around 3.5million customers at no extra cost up until 6am on Sunday October 31. The Virgin Media kids channels that are free-to-watch right now are usually included in bundles that cost an extra £5 a month.

Virgin Media O2 customers will also be able to stream on-demand children’s content such as boxsets and educational videos on the Virgin TV Go smartphone and tablet app.

This truck load of free content has come at the perfect time, as it will be available to Virgin Media subscribers during half-term.

The week-long break from school began on Friday October 22, so kids staying at home will have plenty of things to watch to keep them entertained with Virgin Media O2.

Announcing the news, David Bouchier, the chief TV and entertainment officer at Virgin Media O2, said: “Ahead of half term, we are giving all of our Virgin TV customers access to our full range of kids channels and on demand programmes at no extra cost.

“Our kids TV line-up provides families with an eclectic mix of entertainment options, catering for all ages, from toddlers to teens – whether they are looking for educational programmes or want to tune into some cartoon classics.”

The channels that have become free-to-watch on Virgin Media for a limited-time are Cartoon Network, Cartoon Network +1, Cartoonito, Nickelodeon, Nick +1, Nickelodeon HD, Nick Junior, Nick Jr Too, Nicktoons, Boomerang, Boomerang +1, Cartoon Network HD and Baby TV.

These channels are usually only available with the Kids TV Pick or BabyTV add-ons.

In other related news, this week the recently merged Virgin Media O2 launched its first joint-offering.

The newly launched product, called Volt, offers new and existing customers of both Virgin Media and O2 a number of perks.

Volt offers faster home broadband, double mobile data and other exclusive benefits when you sign up for both Virgin Media and O2.

If you’re new to Virgin Media and O2 then prices start from £45.99 a month for fibre broadband, Virgin TV and an O2 sim.

This introductory offer runs for 18 months and has no set-up fee.

The top tier Volt plan is available with an introductory price of £99 a month, and includes access to Sky Sports, Sky Cinema, gigabit broadband (which boasts average download speeds of 1,130Mbps), an unlimited O2 sim and access to over 230 TV channels.