Free TV FAQs

First off, what's it all about?: What is Virgin Free TV?; How do I get Virgin Free TV?; How does it work?; What equipment do I get?; What's the difference between analogue and digital TV?; More channels? Tell me more...; Are the channels ever updated?; What about the interactive services?
Will I be able to get it?: Can I get Virgin Free TV where I live?; How does the Freeview Postcode Checker work?; So, what is the 'Digital Switchover'?; Do I need to hold a current, valid TV License in order to get Virgin Free TV?; It doesn't look like I'm in a Freeview area. What should I do?; I live in a Virgin Media cable area. Can I get the Virgin Free TV service?
Getting you up and running: How do I install Virgin Free TV?; What happens if my Virgin Free TV doesn't work??; What type of aerial do I need?

First off, what's it all about?

What is Virgin Free TV?
Virgin Free TV is our latest service, bringing all the choice and excitement of digital TV and radio to our customers in National areas. It works using our snazzy new Free TV box which plugs into your existing telly, letting you watch over 40 digital TV channels and listen to around 27 digital radio stations.

How do I get Virgin Free TV?
To buy Virgin Free TV visit our Equipment Shop.

How does it work?
Simple - it uses the Freeview service*. That means you can get digital TV channels and digital radio stations through your standard rooftop aerial. There's no need for a satellite dish, and you don't need to live in a cable area. Just plug your Free TV box into the aerial, switch it on, and start channel hopping!

* All channels are subject to coverage and may be changed from time to time. An aerial upgrade may be required. FREEVIEW® and Logo © DTV Services Ltd 2002. Freeview is marketed by DTV Services Limited trading as DTVSL, registered number 4435179.

What equipment do I get?
We'll send you everything you need: your Free TV box, cables and leads, remote control, and smart stand to sit your the box in. The only thing you need to take care of is the aerial. We recommend that you use a good quality rooftop aerial. You may be able to use an indoor aerial, but you'll need good reception to make the most of the benefits of Virgin Free TV.

What's the difference between analogue and digital TV?
Digital TV brings you a bigger choice of channels, for a start. And they're much sharper than analogue channels, too. Plus you can get interactive by 'pressing the red button' - take a peek below for more info!

You'll also be able to use our 8-day Electronic Programme Guide. It's an on-screen guide which shows you what's on TV for the next 8 days. You can even set reminders for the programmes you want to watch - so you'll never miss your favourite shows!

What's more, with Virgin Free TV you'll get over 25 digital radio stations to choose from too.

More channels? Tell me more...
With Virgin Free TV, you can choose from around 40 TV channels. That includes the usual ones - like BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. Plus there are heaps more, too, including ITV2, E4, BBC News 24 and Film 4.

The number of channels you can get depends on the coverage where you live. But around 3 in 4 houses in the UK are in areas of good coverage.

For a full list of channels available on Virgin Free TV, click here.

Are the channels ever updated?
Yes! There are regular updates and changes to the Freeview channels*. What's more, you'll be able to grab all the new channels by simply retuning your Free TV box.

What about the interactive services?
You've probably heard about 'pressing the red button'. It's your chance to get interactive with the programme you're watching - and it's available to all Virgin Free TV customers.

So perhaps you'll want to voice your views on the latest news. Or maybe you want to switch views and watch a different match during the football, Open Golf, Six Nations or Wimbledon. Interactive TV offers much more choice, control and flexibility, letting you get involved with the action.

There's also digital teletext, too - including services like BBCi. It works much more like a website on the internet, including more content, better graphics and pictures, and more services.

Will I be able to get it?

Can I get Virgin Free TV where I live?
Right now, around 3 in 4 UK households can receive Freeview channels. And that's set to increase over the next couple of years. In fact, by 2012 analogue TV will be phased out and all TV in the UK will be digital - there's more about the "Digital Switchover" below.

In the meantime, you can check to see if you're covered using the Freeview Postcode Checker. Just have your postcode handy and click here.

How does the Freeview Postcode Checker work?
The Freeview Postcode Checker takes a look at your postcode and gives you an idea of whether you'll be able to receive Freeview. It's not a guarantee, but should be a good indication of coverage in your area.

So, what is the 'Digital Switchover'?
The Digital Switchover is a government-sponsored programme to switch all TV from analogue to digital. It's being phased in gradually between 2008 and 2012, and will be carried out region by region.

Many areas of the UK can already get digital coverage - around 3 in 4 homes, in fact. You can find out if you're already covered by clicking on the Freeview Postcode Checker.

Do I need to hold a current, valid TV License in order to get Virgin Free TV?
Yes - it works in the same way as any other TV. As long as you have a TV Licence, you won't need to do a thing - just plug it in, switch it on, and start channel hopping!

It doesn't look like I'm in a Freeview area. What should I do?
Although you're not covered right now, Freeview coverage is increasing all the time. You can keep an eye on current coverage by checking out the Freeview Postcode Checker

I live in a Virgin Media cable area. Can I get the Virgin Free TV service?
Right now, it's only available to our customers in National areas. But we're planning to offer it to customers in cable areas soon - keep your eyes peeled to our website for more details. It's at www.virginmedia.com

Getting you up and running

How do I install Virgin Free TV?
Simple - just take a peek at the user guide which comes with your Free TV box. It'll take you through exactly what you need to do. Alternatively, you can download it online in our help section.

What happens if my Virgin Free TV doesn't work?
First off, don't worry - we're here to help! Just give our team a call on 0845 454 2222*. We'll run through a few quick questions to help make sure you're set up properly. Rest assured, we'll do everything we can to get you up and running.

* If you are a Virgin Media Talk customer call costs are detailed on our website. Call costs from mobile phones and other networks may vary.

What type of aerial do I need?
To get the most from your Virgin Free TV, we recommend using a good quality rooftop aerial.

If you live in a good coverage area, you might find that an aerial in your loft works just fine. You may even be able to use an indoor aerial on top of your TV, which might be useful if you're using your Free TV box in a bedroom.

For help and information about aerials, just contact your local installer. Or visit either of these websites: www.cai.org.uk or www.idsc.uk.com.

If you're interested in finding out more about indoor aerials, Ricability, an independent research charity, has tested a number of set-top aerials. Just visit their website at http://www.ricability-digitaltv.org.uk/pages/test-reports/indoor-aerials.htm

Want to talk?

Free TV FAQs

First off, what's it all about?

Will I be able to get it?

Getting you up and running