FAST has proved an attractive – if challenging – way of filling a key gap left by basic cable channels in Virgin Media O2’s line-up, according to David Bouchier, chief TV and entertainment officer, Virgin Media O2.
Speaking on a fireside chat session on Day 2 of IBC, Bouchier said that Virgin Media O2 (VMO2) has a premium business that is booming, with a raft of new premium streamers being integrated into the platform.
The gap in the line-up, however, is basic channels – where cable faces competition with connected TV. Bouchier said that the company had lost a number of basic channels as a result of changes in the market...
You are not signed in
Only registered users can read the rest of this article.
IBC2026 Live Blog: Catch up with all the best innovations
Welcome to the IBC2026 Live Blog, getting under the skin of the global media and entertainment industry's biggest and best trade show.
.jpg){kind=tracking}
FAST is the next frontier of creator domination
The creator economy is no longer a sideshow in Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV (FAST) but a core channel segment with platforms actively competing for content.
Global student On Air project is already igniting careers
On Air, the global student‑run broadcast initiative, is scaling up in its second year.
.jpg)
The pull era: Why media survival hinges on the phone-centric consumer
To survive, this industry must redefine broadcast, move beyond defunct binaries like "TV viewer" and "mobile user", and put its consumer at the centre of every decision, according to Evan Shapiro's rapid-fire talent programme keynote on the Future Tech Ignite stage.
.jpg)
LA28 set to rewrite the broadcast rulebook
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games are set to become the largest broadcast operation ever attempted.
