Virgin Media Customers Using Legacy TiVo Boxes Face Major Feature Loss
Virgin Media customers who are still using the original TiVo boxes are encountering another significant limitation. The company has started informing affected users that, from July 23, BBC iPlayer will no longer be supported on these older devices. This marks yet another step in the gradual phase-out of features on these legacy systems, which have been in use for over a decade.
The loss of BBC iPlayer is particularly impactful for many users, as it is one of the most popular streaming services in the UK. While this change may seem like a setback, there is some positive news for affected customers. Virgin Media is offering a free upgrade to the TV360 box, allowing users to continue accessing their preferred streaming services without additional costs.
Free Upgrade to TV360 Box
A spokesperson for Virgin Media confirmed to Cord Busters that customers using the older TiVo boxes are being offered an upgrade to the TV360 model at no extra charge. The upgrade ensures continued access to BBC iPlayer and other essential services. Importantly, this means that users’ current pricing and service bundles will remain unchanged. However, it’s worth noting that future changes could occur when contracts come up for renewal.
It is important to highlight that the TV360 box is the only available upgrade option. Customers cannot request a switch to the V6 box, which still uses the familiar TiVo interface, nor can they opt for the Stream box, which operates under a different payment structure (now called Flex).
Evolution of Virgin Media’s Hardware
Virgin Media first partnered with TiVo in 2009, integrating the company’s smart interface into its set-top boxes. The original TiVo boxes launched in 2011 and quickly gained popularity due to their advanced features, including recording capabilities, on-demand content, and the ability to pause live TV. Over time, Virgin Media introduced updated models such as the V6 box, which added support for 4K and more tuners for simultaneous recordings.
In recent months, Virgin Media has been actively updating its hardware offerings. For instance, the company has been quietly replacing TV 360 Mini boxes with Stream boxes for multi-room setups. This latest move with the original TiVo boxes appears to be part of a broader strategy to modernise and streamline its hardware portfolio.
Why Are TiVo Boxes Losing BBC iPlayer Support?
While Virgin Media has not provided specific technical details about the loss of BBC iPlayer support on TiVo boxes, it is likely due to changes in the BBC iPlayer platform that older hardware can no longer accommodate. Some Virgin Media users have also reported that when V6 boxes develop faults, they are often replaced with TV360 boxes. This suggests that TiVo technology may be gradually being phased out by Virgin Media, starting with the original TiVo boxes and potentially affecting the V6 models in the future.
Common Issue Across Streaming Platforms
This issue is not unique to Virgin Media. The loss of streaming app support on older hardware is becoming increasingly common across various platforms. For example, the Humax HDR-2000T Freeview recorder lost BBC iPlayer support in November 2023 due to unresolved technical issues. Similarly, several Freeview and Freesat boxes lost support for ITV Hub (now ITVX) in 2023. These situations highlight the challenges consumers face when using older technology, as streaming platforms continuously update their content protection and infrastructure requirements.
What Should Affected Customers Do?
If you are a Virgin Media customer with an original TiVo box, you should keep an eye on communications from the company regarding the free upgrade offer. The cutoff date of July 23 is approaching, so it is advisable to act promptly if you haven’t received any information yet.
Currently, there is no requirement to upgrade. If you do not need BBC iPlayer or can watch it on another device, such as a Smart TV, you can continue using your old TiVo box. However, over time, it is likely that additional features will be removed.
The TV360 box offers several improvements over the original TiVo, including a more modern interface, better performance, and ongoing support for BBC iPlayer and other streaming apps. However, it has a significantly different interface compared to the TiVo system.
Another key consideration is that switching from the TiVo box to the TV360 will result in the loss of all existing recordings. There is no way to transfer these recordings between devices.
For long-time TiVo users who are accustomed to how their boxes function, these changes may be frustrating. However, the free upgrade offer ensures continued access to BBC iPlayer without any additional cost.
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