{{Short description|Irish television streaming service}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}} {{Redirect|3Player|the malware|3wPlayer}} {{Infobox software | name = Virgin Media Play | logo = 250px | author = Virgin Media Television | developer = Virgin Media Television | released = * {{Start date and age|2011|10|8|df=y}} (as 3Player) * {{Start date and age|2018|08|30|df=y}} (as Virgin Media Player) * {{start date and age |2024|09|02|df=y}} (as Virgin Media Play) | operating system = Windows 10 Windows 11, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | platform = | replaces = 3Player | language = English | genre = Live streaming<br>Video on demand | license = | website = {{URL|https://play.virginmediatelevision.ie/}} }} '''Virgin Media Play''' (formerly '''3Player''', then '''Virgin Media Player''') is a live streaming and on demand video service available in Ireland,<ref name=3player>{{cite news| url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1009/breaking128.html| title=Irish Times - Login required| newspaper=The Irish Times| first=Charlie| last=Taylor| access-date=10 October 2011| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111010034252/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1009/breaking128.html| archive-date=10 October 2011| url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.tv3.ie/xpose/article/news/270744/TV3-Group-to-rebrand-as-Virgin-Media-Television| title= TV3 group to re-brand as Virgin Media| publisher= TV3| access-date= 21 March 2020| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180829212408/http://www.tv3.ie/xpose/article/news/270744/TV3-Group-to-rebrand-as-Virgin-Media-Television| archive-date= 29 August 2018| url-status= live}}</ref> provided by Virgin Media Television (formerly TV3 Group),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv3.ie/3player|title=3player|website=3player|access-date=7 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009065345/http://tv3.ie/3player|archive-date=9 October 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> 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).<ref name=TV3>{{cite web| url= http://www.siliconrepublic.com/new-media/item/23960-tv3-unveils-new-html5-3| title= TV3 unveils new HTML5 '3 Player' that plays on any device| publisher= silicorepublic| access-date= 10 October 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111012145551/http://www.siliconrepublic.com/new-media/item/23960-tv3-unveils-new-html5-3| archive-date= 12 October 2011| url-status= live}} Retrieved 29 July 2013</ref>
The service was launched on Saturday 8 October 2011.<ref>[http://blog.mindshare.ie/2011/10/tv3-launch-their-new-3player/ TV3 Launch Their New 3player] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051751/http://blog.mindshare.ie/2011/10/tv3-launch-their-new-3player/ |date=25 April 2012 }}. ''Mindshare Ireland''. Retrieved 29 July 2013</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2024/08/22/vmtv-will-launch-new-streaming-app-virgin-media-play-in-september/|title=VMTV will launch new streaming app Virgin Media Play in September |newspaper=The Irish Times| access-date= 22 August 2024}}</ref>
==Content== Virgin 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.<ref name=3player/> 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.<ref>[http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/media-and-marketing/tv3-seeks-registrations-on-3player-1.1392258 TV3 seeks registrations on 3player] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515230948/http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/media-and-marketing/tv3-seeks-registrations-on-3player-1.1392258 |date=15 May 2013 }}. ''Irish Times''. Retrieved 29 July 2013</ref> 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== The service utilises HTML5. This allows viewers to access the service regardless of their operating system.<ref name=TV3/>
==Availability== The 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upc.ie/pdf/UPC%20unveils%20On%20Demand%20TV%20for%20Ireland.pdf|title=UPC unveils On Demand TV for Ireland|publisher=UPC Ireland|date=22 May 2012|access-date=25 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108135152/http://www.upc.ie/pdf/UPC%20unveils%20On%20Demand%20TV%20for%20Ireland.pdf|archive-date=8 November 2012|url-status=live}}</ref>
3player is available to Sky+HD Customers that are connected to On Demand with a broadband connection since 15 January 2014. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.813&article=123042|title=Sky Rolls out Largest Catch-Up Service in Ireland|publisher=TV3 (Ireland)|date=12 January 2014|access-date=12 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112172759/http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.813&article=123042|archive-date=12 January 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
3player was released on the Xbox 360 on 2 April 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.813&article=130741|title=3player to be made available on Xbox Live|date=2 April 2014|access-date=27 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227190254/http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.813&article=130741|archive-date=27 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> and Xbox One on 24 February 2015<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rectifygaming.com/3player-and-mlg-tv-launches-for-xbox-one-owners-in-ireland/|title=3Player and MLG.TV launches for Xbox One owners in Ireland|date=24 February 2015|access-date=27 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829212231/http://rectifygaming.com/3player-and-mlg-tv-launches-for-xbox-one-owners-in-ireland/|archive-date=29 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{virginmediatelevision.ie|id=player|title=Virgin Media Play}}
{{Virgin Media Ireland}} {{Television in Ireland}} {{VOD services}}
Category:2010s in Irish television Category:2011 establishments in Ireland Category:Video on demand services Category:Virgin Media Television (Ireland)