Virgin Media Play (formerly 3Player, then Virgin Media Player) is a live streaming and on demand video service available in Ireland,[1] [2] provided by Virgin Media Television (formerly TV3 Group),[3] a subsidiary of Virgin Media Ireland, for programmes broadcast on the company's television channels (Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Two, Virgin Media Three and Virgin Media Four).[4]
 | |
| Original author(s) | Virgin Media Television |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Virgin Media Television |
| Initial release |
|
| Operating system | Windows 10 Windows 11, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Predecessor | 3Player |
| Available in | English |
| Type | Live streaming Video on demand |
| Website | play |
The service was launched on Saturday 8 October 2011.[5] as 3Player replacing TV3 Catch Up service. On 30 August 2018, as a part of a corporate-wide rebrand of the TV3 Group as Virgin Media Television, the service was rebranded as Virgin Media Player.
The streaming service was relaunched and renamed as "Virgin Media Play" in August 2024, as part of a wider rebrand for the TV network.[6]
Content
editVirgin Media Play is a largely a free online catch-up service which lets viewers watch a variety of programmes for up to 28 days after they are broadcast on Virgin Media Television branded channels. Most programmes are available for 28 days from the day they were broadcast.[1] Due to programme rights however other programmes, mainly ITV productions are only available for 90 days. The majority of TV3 and 3e's broadcasts are available on the service. Both channels are also available live as they broadcast on this service.
As of May 2013, Virgin Media Player users are now asked to register their details.[7] TV3 Group is encouraging users of its 3player catch-up service to register as part of a push to gather more information on its online audience. The change is part of a broader reconfiguration of its website that sees the introduction of new hourly online news bulletins from today. Registered 3player users will be able to create playlists of their favourite shows and use their logins to pick up where they left off across all devices.
Format
editThe service utilises HTML5. This allows viewers to access the service regardless of their operating system.[4]
Availability
editThe service is available to those resident in the Republic of Ireland. The service is available on PCs and Mac format desktop and laptop devices. It is also available via Sony Bravia internet enabled TVs and certain Sony Blu-ray players. It became available on PS3 on 22 December 2011.
3player was made available to UPC Ireland customers through their televisions from 25 May 2012.[8]
3player is available to Sky+HD Customers that are connected to On Demand with a broadband connection since 15 January 2014. [9]
3player was released on the Xbox 360 on 2 April 2014[10] and Xbox One on 24 February 2015[11]
References
edit- ^ a b Taylor, Charlie. "Irish Times - Login required". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 10 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
- ^ "TV3 group to re-brand as Virgin Media". TV3. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ^ "3player". 3player. Archived from the original on 9 October 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
- ^ a b "TV3 unveils new HTML5 '3 Player' that plays on any device". silicorepublic. Archived from the original on 12 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2013
- ^ TV3 Launch Their New 3player Archived 25 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Mindshare Ireland. Retrieved 29 July 2013
- ^ "VMTV will launch new streaming app Virgin Media Play in September". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 August 2024.
- ^ TV3 seeks registrations on 3player Archived 15 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Irish Times. Retrieved 29 July 2013
- ^ "UPC unveils On Demand TV for Ireland" (PDF). UPC Ireland. 22 May 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 25 May 2012.
- ^ "Sky Rolls out Largest Catch-Up Service in Ireland". TV3 (Ireland). 12 January 2014. Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2014.
- ^ "3player to be made available on Xbox Live". 2 April 2014. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 27 February 2015.
- ^ "3Player and MLG.TV launches for Xbox One owners in Ireland". 24 February 2015. Archived from the original on 29 August 2018. Retrieved 27 February 2015.