Virgin Media

What Virgin Media does

Virgin Media is a UK-based integrated telecommunications provider delivering broadband, television, landline, and mobile (via O2) services to residential consumers, small and medium businesses, and large enterprises. The company was formed from the 2006 merger of NTL and Telewest, acquired by Liberty Global in 2013 for approximately $23 billion, and merged with Telefónica's O2 in 2021 to form the Virgin Media O2 joint venture. It operates a hybrid fiber-coax DOCSIS 3.1 cable network in specific UK coverage areas, with its registered office in Reading, England, and primary operations across the UK.

The company's core technology stack centers on DOCSIS 3.1 cable infrastructure delivering average broadband speeds from 132Mbps (M125) up to 1,130Mbps (Gig1). In-home hardware includes the Hub 5 WiFi 6 router with seven internal antennas and 100% recycled plastic casing, WiFi Pod extenders, and Virgin TV 360 set-top boxes. Software and customer-facing platforms include the My Virgin Media App, Virgin Media Connect App for WiFi management, Virgin TV Go for mobile streaming, and the Smart Support 24/7 automated broadband monitoring system, while third-party integrations span Amazon Connect for live chat, LivePerson for customer service, Dynatrace for performance monitoring, and Tealium for tag management.

Virgin Media generates revenue primarily through recurring monthly subscriptions on 24-month contracts. Broadband tiers range from £23.99 to £33.99/month for broadband-only, with combined broadband+phone bundles ranging £31.99-£41.99/month, and premium bundles (Max Volt with Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, Mega TV, O2 SIM) reaching £79.99/month. Additional revenue comes from mobile SIMs and devices through the O2 partnership, hardware sales and rentals (hubs, TV boxes, WiFi Pods), premium content add-ons, installation fees, and the £8/month WiFi Max add-on. Distribution combines a direct-to-consumer website, O2 retail stores, Virgin Media retail locations, phone sales, and QuickStart self-installation kits, while strategic content partnerships with Netflix, Disney+, Sky, and Rakuten TV underpin bundle stickiness and ARPU expansion.

Name

Virgin Media

Legal name

Virgin Media

Website

http://virginmedia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Virgin Media is a UK integrated telecommunications provider offering cable broadband (up to 1130Mbps), TV, landline, and O2 mobile services to millions of UK residential households, SMEs, and large enterprises via DOCSIS 3.1 hybrid fiber-coax infrastructure.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Residential Telecommunications & Broadband

NAICS

Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (5162), Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621)

SIC

Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833)

akta.pro primary industry

Cable MSOs (Hybrid Fiber-Coax) (MPABAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Basic Cable Networks (MPABAFAC), Live TV Streaming (vMVPD/IPTV OTT) (MPACAAAD), Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Network/Studio Streaming Channels (MPABAHAG), Pay-TV / Premium Window Distribution (MPADAJAH)

Keywords

• Cable broadband services
• Telecommunications services
• TV entertainment packages
• Mobile SIM plans
• Home phone landline

Headquarters

HQ city

Swansea

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Broadband Services: Subscription-based broadband services with various speed tiers (M125, M250, M350, M500, Gig1) offering download speeds from 132Mbps to 1130Mbps. Revenue generated from monthly subscriptions with 24-month contracts. Includes unlimited downloads with no data caps.
2. TV Packages and Entertainment: TV subscription bundles including Mega TV, Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, TNT Sports, and channel add-ons. Additional revenue from premium channel upgrades and on-demand content purchases.
3. Mobile Services (O2 SIM): Mobile SIM and phone services through O2 partnership, including pay monthly plans, SIM only deals, and device financing.
4. Home Phone Services: Landline services with various call plans including Anytime Chatter for unlimited UK calls, international calling packages, and line rental.
5. Hardware Sales: Sale and rental of broadband hubs (Hub 3, 4, 5), TV boxes (V6, Stream box, TiVo), and WiFi Pods. Engineers available for paid installation.
6. Streaming Partnerships: Bundled streaming services including Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video bundled with TV packages, generating revenue through subscriber acquisition fees and commissions.
7. WiFi Guarantee Add-on: WiFi Max add-on service priced at £8 per month (included with Gig1, Gig2, or Volt packages), offering guaranteed WiFi coverage or bill credits.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Virgin Media is a UK telecommunications provider that sells cable and fibre broadband (M50 to Gig1, up to 1130Mbps), TV packages (with Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Netflix and Disney+), home phone/landline services, and mobile SIM deals via the O2 network. The offering is delivered over a DOCSIS 3.1 hybrid fiber-coax network, with bundled entertainment, Volt benefits combining broadband and O2 mobile, and proprietary WiFi and Smart Support technologies.

Product overview

Virgin Media is a UK telecommunications provider offering an integrated product portfolio across broadband, TV, mobile, and home phone services. The core offering centers on Virgin Fibre Broadband with multiple speed tiers (M50 through Gig1 at up to 1130Mbps), delivered via cable infrastructure and bundled with TV packages (Virgin TV, Virgin TV 360 box, Virgin Stream Box, Virgin Flex). Entertainment integrations include Netflix (bundled in select packages), Disney+, Sky Atlantic, Sky Sports, and TNT Sports. The ecosystem extends through Volt (joint benefits with O2 including speed boosts and double data), WiFi Max guarantee with Pods, Smart Support 24/7 automated monitoring, and mobile services via O2 partnership. Customer-facing apps include My Virgin Media App, Virgin TV Go, and Virgin Media Connect App. The product architecture combines Virgin Media's own infrastructure with third-party integrations for security (F-Secure), streaming content (Netflix, Disney+, Sky), payment processing (Apple Pay, Google Pay), and customer support (Amazon Connect, LivePerson).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Virgin TV: Virgin Media's television service offering with multiple channel packages, on-demand content, and streaming capabilities including Netflix and Disney+ integration.
• Virgin Media Business
• Virgin Mobile
• Volt
• Hub 5
• Smart Support

Products and services

• Virgin Fibre Broadband Residential cable and fibre broadband service for UK households, with speed tiers from M50 to Gig1 (up to 1130Mbps average download). Unlimited downloads with no data caps, available only in Virgin Media's cable network footprint.
• Virgin TV Digital TV service for UK households offering multiple package tiers (Entertainment, Cinema, Sport, Mega TV) with channel bundles including Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Sky Atlantic (from 1 April 2026) and streaming integrations with Netflix and Disney+.
• Virgin TV 360 Virgin Media's flagship TV set-top box for residential customers, offering catch-up TV, recording capabilities, and access to streaming apps. Requires minimum M50 Fibre Broadband and is not available with full fibre.
• Virgin Stream Box Streaming set-top device for Virgin Media customers, requires Virgin Media broadband with a minimum 50 Mbps connection. Connects via HDMI to the TV and delivers HD/UHD content on compatible devices.
• Virgin Flex Flexible streaming service for Virgin Media broadband customers, allowing selection of entertainment subscriptions with a £5/month service fee plus individual subscription charges. Requires minimum 50 Mbps connection.
• Virgin TV Go Mobile application for Virgin Media TV customers to watch live and catch-up TV on the go via broadband/WiFi or 3G/4G/5G. Available on iOS and Android devices.
• Virgin Mobile (via O2) Mobile services offered in partnership with O2, including SIM-only plans, pay monthly phones, and upgrades, sold to Virgin Media customers. Provides 4G/5G connectivity using the O2 network.
• Virgin Media Landline Home phone service for UK households with various call plans including Anytime Chatter (unlimited UK calls) and International Anytime Chatter (50 international destinations). £19/month line rental.
• Hub 5 Latest WiFi router from Virgin Media with WiFi 6 technology and seven internal antennas for improved coverage and faster gigabit connections. Made from 100% recycled plastic casing with energy-efficient design. Offered as a free upgrade to eligible broadband customers.
• Smart Support 24/7 automated broadband monitoring and issue detection service for Virgin Media broadband customers. Proactively identifies connectivity problems, performs remote fixes overnight, and recommends free WiFi Pod or Hub upgrades when needed. Included at no extra cost.
• WiFi Max WiFi coverage guarantee add-on service for Virgin Media broadband customers. Promises minimum 30Mbps download speeds in every room or £100 credit on the next bill. Up to 3 WiFi Pods provided if needed. Available as £8/month add-on or included with Gig1, Gig2, or Volt packages.
• Virgin Media Essential Security Online security subscription service for Virgin Media customers powered by F-Secure, including Virus Protection and Parental Controls. Offered as 3-month free trial, followed by optional paid subscription.
• Sky Atlantic on Virgin TV Free addition of Sky Atlantic HD programming to Virgin TV packages on channel 111 from 1 April 2026. Available to all Virgin TV customers with Virgin TV 360 or Stream box and a Sky Entertainment channels package at no extra cost, also accessible via Virgin TV Go.
• Rakuten TV FAST Channels Three new free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels from Rakuten TV on Virgin TV 360 and Flex, focused on drama, comedy, and sci-fi content. Automatically added to eligible platforms at no additional charge.
• Stingray Classical and Jazz FAST Channels Two new free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels – Stingray Classica (classical music) and Stingray DJAZZ (jazz music) – launched in December 2025 on Virgin set-top boxes as part of the existing FAST channel lineup.
• Volt Joint benefits programme for customers with both Virgin Media broadband and O2 mobile. Benefits include broadband speed boost to next level (up to 1Gbps), double mobile data, WiFi guarantee, and worldwide roaming in 75 destinations via O2 Travel Inclusive Zone. Includes Priority rewards access.
• Virgin Media Business Dedicated business division of Virgin Media offering business broadband, managed services, and custom network solutions for small, medium, and large enterprise customers in the UK. Provides 24/7 phone support for SME customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 99.86% average network uptime (July 2025 – December 2025)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration12 records

AI capability1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• SkycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026Sky Atlantic HD launched on Virgin TV channel 111 on April 1, 2026, available to all Virgin TV customers with Virgin TV 360 or Stream box and a package with Sky Entertainment channels at no extra cost. Also offers Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, and TNT Sports channels.
• O2 (Telefonica UK)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerVirgin Media and O2 merged in 2021 to form Virgin Media O2, creating a major UK telecoms provider. The partnership provides bundled Virgin Media broadband with O2 mobile SIMs, Volt benefits including double data, speed boosts, and worldwide roaming in 75 destinations. Customers with both services receive exclusive Volt benefits and Priority rewards access.
• NetflixcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNetflix is included at no extra cost with select Virgin Media TV bundles (M500, Gig1, and bundle packages). Existing Netflix subscribers can transfer their subscription when bundling. Netflix Standard with ads is the typical included tier.
• Disney+coreGTM or Marketing PartnerDisney+ available to add to all Virgin Media TV deals. Partnership allows Virgin Media customers to bundle Disney+ subscription with their TV packages.
• AklamiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerAklamio powers Virgin Media's refer a friend program, allowing customers to earn up to £50 cash rewards for successful referrals. Tracks referral commissions and manages reward distribution.
• Hubbub (Community Calling)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Calling charity partnership with Hubbub allows Virgin Media customers to donate their old smartphones to help connect people in need. Donated devices receive 6 months of free data, minutes, and texts to help reduce data poverty affecting over 7 million people in the UK.
• Good Things FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner in Virgin Media's Better Connections Plan, supporting 6 million people in the UK with free and affordable connectivity and digital skills training initiatives.
• Internet MattersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharity partner supporting digital inclusion and online safety initiatives as part of Virgin Media's social sustainability programs and community connectivity goals.
• O2 RecycleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerO2 Recycle program allows customers to get cash for unwanted tech devices, with zero devices going to landfill. 3.8 million devices recycled so far, part of O2's sustainability initiatives.
• Priority from O2coreGTM or Marketing PartnerPriority is an O2 rewards program available to Virgin Media broadband and O2 mobile customers, offering exclusive experiences, cinema tickets, Greggs discounts, Vue cinema savings, and travel discounts up to £200/month.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• CityFibre:
• Hyperoptic: UK full-fibre altnet offering symmetric gigabit+ broadband in urban MDUs. Emerging challenger to Virgin Media in city centre and new-build residential developments where Virgin's HFC footprint overlaps. Comparable full-fibre product (Hyperoptic 1Gb vs Virgin Gig1).

Direct peers

• BT Group (including EE): The UK's incumbent telecoms operator offering broadband (via Openreach), TV (BT TV), landline, and mobile (EE). Most direct UK competitor to Virgin Media across all four product lines, with comparable speed tiers (Full Fibre 900 vs Gig1) and similar bundle structures.
• Sky (Sky Broadband & TV): Sky Broadband is the UK's largest pay-TV provider and a major broadband ISP via Openreach. Direct competitor in bundled TV/broadband/phone, and also a critical content supplier (Sky Cinema, Sky Sports, Sky Atlantic) to Virgin Media's bundles.
• TalkTalk: UK value-focused broadband and TV provider competing with Virgin Media in the mass-market ISP segment via Openreach FTTC/FTTP. Comparable product set (broadband, TV, landline) with similar promotional pricing strategy.
• Vodafone UK: Converged UK operator offering broadband, TV (with Sky Sports tie-up), mobile, and landline. Direct quad-play competitor to Virgin Media O2, with comparable Pro Broadband bundles that include Apple TV 4K and mobile convergence benefits.
• EE (BT Mobile): UK's largest mobile operator and increasingly converged broadband provider (EE Broadband over Openreach). Comparable to Virgin Media in mobile-first convergence strategy, with combined mobile/broadband/TV packages that compete directly with Volt.
• Plusnet: BT-owned value broadband ISP competing in the UK consumer broadband market. Comparable product set (broadband, phone, basic TV) and similar customer segments, though with a lower-priced positioning relative to Virgin Media.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses1 record

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/virginmedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/virginmedia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/virgin-media

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A5 records

Investments5 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Virgin Media