Virgin Media Sport – exclusive to Virgin Media TV customers at no additional cost

 

Thursday 23^rd August – Dublin: Ireland’s new home of European football Virgin Media Sport will launch on 18^th September with top class, Irish produced coverage of UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League.

 

Virgin Media Sport is available to all Virgin Media TV customers at no extra cost with more than 400 live games available in this season.

 

Republic of Ireland legend Niall Quinn joins longstanding UEFA Champions League pundits Graeme Souness and Kevin Kilbane in live coverage, presented by Virgin Media Television’s Tommy Martin.

 

Also announced today, the broader presentation team will include former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr; former Republic of Ireland international Keith Andrews; and presenter Niamh Kinsella.

 

Customers will now have access over 400 of the very best European Club Football matches on one dedicated platform, coming live from a new, purpose built Virgin Media Sport studio.

 

Virgin Media Sport will broadcast all UEFA Champions League matches on Tuesdays and Wednesdays along with UEFA Europa League on Thursdays. Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League matches will also be Free to Air on Virgin Media One which will also broadcast the Champions League and Europa League finals.

 

Virgin Media customers are also assured they won’t miss a single match. They can record, replay, pause and watch archived matches and footage on-demand. They can use the TV Anywhere App and they can also simply press start-over during any live match (which brings them right back to kick-off time) – a really handy feature if you miss the start of any match!

 

Paul Farrell, Vice President of Commercial, Virgin Media said, “Virgin Media Sport is the new home of European Football in Ireland. It’s going to be an exciting season on and off the pitch with our top panel of pundits providing in-depth local analysis and opinion exclusively for our customers. Our investment in Virgin Media Sport reinforces our position as Ireland’s leading connected entertainment provider, and what better way to celebrate this than providing our new channel at no extra cost to our Virgin Media TV customers.”

 

ENDS

 

Notes to Editor:

 

Virgin Media TV customers will be able to access Virgin Media Sport at no additional cost to their current monthly subscription.

Customers who avail of one of Virgin Media’s other services such as mobile or broadband will be able to access Virgin Media Sport and all live matches through the Virgin Media TV Anywhere App for free for the first two months, then at a reduced rate of €10 a month after.

 

Sports fans who are not currently Virgin Media customers won’t lose out. The Virgin Media TV Anywhere App will guarantee fans access to top class football, ensuring they stay up to date with their teams throughout the tournament. The service will be available for just €20 per month on a 30 day contract.

 

About Virgin Media

Virgin Media is known for challenging the status quo – taking on industry giants, championing people and simply delivering extraordinary products and services.

 

We help create a digital world that makes good things happen: for our customers and the communities in which we operate.  

 

In Ireland our cable business delivers multi award-winning services: broadband, TV, mobile and home phone connect thousands of people across the country.  But we’re not finished; we’re extending our network reach through Project Lightning so that more communities can enjoy the benefits of the fastest, widely available broadband speeds from Virgin Media.

 

Our broadcast division, Virgin Media Television is Ireland’s number one commercial broadcaster operating three free-to-air channels (Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Three, plus the Virgin Media Player) and is a significant investor in home produced content across news, current affairs, drama and sports.

 

Through Virgin Media Business, we support entrepreneurs, businesses and the public sector, delivering the fastest speeds and tailor-made services.

 

Virgin Media is part of Liberty Global, the world’s largest international TV and broadband company, with operations in 11 European countries. The company invests in the infrastructure and digital platforms that empower customers to make the most of the video, internet and communications revolution.

 

For further information please visit: www.virginmedia.ie

 

BIOGRAPHIES

 

Kevin Kilbane

A Republic of Ireland regular for well over a decade after making his debut in 1997, Kevin played 110 times for Ireland, appearing at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.  His playing career began with home town club Preston North End before spells with West Brom, Sunderland and Everton.  Kevin also appears on BBC’s Match of the Day and Final Score.

 

Niall Quinn

A former record goal scorer for the Republic of Ireland with 21 goals, Niall played 92 times for Ireland including appearances at two FIFA World Cups.  His professional career began at Arsenal, before becoming a fan’s favourite at Manchester City and latterly Sunderland, where he would later enjoy a successful spell as chairman, leading them back to the Premier League in 2007.

 

Graeme Souness

One of the most astute analysts in soccer, Graeme won over 20 major honours as a player and manager, including the European Cup three times with Liverpool. He played in Italy with Sampdoria, before moving into management with Rangers and later Liverpool before taking charge of Galatasaray, Southampton, Torino, Benfica, Blackburn and Newcastle. Graeme also writes for The Sunday Times.

 

Niamh Kinsella

An experienced reporter and presenter from the award winning TV3 Newsroom, Niamh most recently presented news bulletins across Saturday & Sunday AM. A Manchester United fan, Niamh began her broadcasting career in radio with East Coast FM and FM104. 

 

Tommy Martin

Tommy joined TV3 as a sports reporter in 2007 and has fronted the station’s live UEFA Champions League soccer coverage since 2012.  He has also been a presenter with Saturday AM & Sunday AM for the last three years and is a columnist with the Irish Examiner. Originally from Co. Donegal, Tommy is married with two children and lives in Dublin.

 

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Information:  Tim Kinsella / John Reilly / Graham Union (01) 703 8600