Virgin Media Channel Shake-Up: Tastemade Out, Premier Sports Rugby In

In-Depth Analysis

The removal of Tastemade, a FAST (Free Ad-Supported TV) channel delivered via broadband rather than traditional cable, follows a trend seen across the industry. Last year saw the closure of several music channels from Channel 4 and the end of London Live's broadcast. While viewers lose Tastemade's food and lifestyle content, Virgin Media has recently added other FAST channels like Redbull TV (Ch. 556) and Wonder (Ch. 238), alongside existing options like a dedicated Hell's Kitchen channel (Ch. 233).

The major addition is Premier Sports Rugby, offering comprehensive coverage of competitions like the Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, United Rugby Championship, TOP14, Japanese Rugby League One, and Major League Rugby. This new channel joins Premier Sports 1 (Ch. 551) and Premier Sports 2 (Ch. 552) in the subscription package, which also features football (Scottish Premiership, Scottish Cup, La Liga), ice hockey, and more.

While the new rugby channel offers significant value for sports fans, it requires a paid subscription. Virgin Media is promoting this with a discount (£10/month for the first 3 months, then £15.99/month). This channel shake-up occurs as Virgin Media, like other providers, implemented price hikes earlier in the month (around 7.5%), citing increased broadband usage and infrastructure investment.

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FAQ

- **Q: Which channel was removed from Virgin Media?

- **Q: What new channel has been added?

- **Q: Is the new Premier Sports Rugby channel free?

- **Q: Which Virgin Media boxes are affected by these changes?

Takeaways

**Check Your Lineup:** If you watched Tastemade, you'll need to find alternative cooking content (e.g., Hell's Kitchen channel on 233 or other streaming apps).
**Rugby Fans Benefit:** If you're a rugby enthusiast, the new dedicated channel offers extensive coverage. Consider the promotional subscription offer if interested.
**Understand TV Trends:** Be aware that channel lineups are dynamic. Free channels may disappear as providers focus on FAST offerings and premium subscriptions, often delivered via your internet connection.
**Budget Accordingly:** Factor in potential costs for premium channel packages, especially in light of recent general price increases for broadband and TV services.

Discussion

Will you miss Tastemade, or are you excited about the new rugby channel? Let us know!

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Sources

Source: Free channel removed from Virgin Media users, but brand-new sports channel releases days later ...at a cost - GB News{:target="_blank"} Additional context compiled by Yanuki using the latest trends and data.

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