Virgin in Freeview deal with ITV

ITV may sell or lease some of its capacity on Freeview, the free-to-air digital TV platform, to Virgin Media. The move follows the dropping of ITV Play channel and the launch of ITV2+1.

It is believed the broadcaster is now focusing on the consolidation and improvement of its existing channels. Virgin will launch Virgin 1 in the autumn but only has Freeview capacity from 8am to 6pm. It wants to broadcast for 24 hours.