Virgin TV partners with Zone.TV on kids VOD channel

Virgin Media has partnered with Zone.TV to launch a personalised video-on-demand (VOD) channel for children called My Virgin TV Kids.

The service will allow young viewers to customise their viewing experience and programming line-up and marks the first European launch for California-based Zone.TV.

My Virgin TV Kids will let children pick what they want to watch. Using Zone.TV’s technology it then generates personalised playlists based on their favourite themes, characters and programmes.

The intelligent VOD channel will be available through Virgin Media’s TiVo-powered V6 set-top box later this month and will include programmes like Teletubbies, Pingu and Bob the Builder.

“My Virgin TV Kids’ intelligent and personalised playlists, powered by the technology of Zone.TV, are a genuine innovation for a pay TV platform,” said David Bouchier, chief digital entertainment officer at Virgin Media.

“This represents the latest smart technology and combines it with the functionality of an online playlist and quality TV to deliver a unique experience for Virgin TV customers. Children will have even more freedom to enjoy and learn from the programmes they love within the safe and contained environment of our great TV service.”

Zone.TV CEO Jeff Weber said: “Our human curated technology, powered by AI, combined with Virgin Media’s vision means subscribers in the UK will be first in Europe to experience a revolutionary, personalised channel expressly designed for Virgin Media’s youngest customers.

“Our dynamic channels platform brings some of the world’s most popular children’s shows to life in a way that is totally unique among video services.”