Virgin chief throws party to launch new TV channel

Richard Branson opened the gates to his country home today to launch a new Virgin TV channel.

Guests at the event in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, were treated to a fairground-themed party in the property’s grounds.

The event featured screenings of two shows – The Riches and The Sarah Connor Chronicles – which will run on the new entertainment channel.

Virgin 1 launches on Monday. It will be available on Freeview, Virgin Media and digital satellite.

The channel’s director of programming, Celia Taylor, said ahead of the launch: “Virgin 1 is set to trigger your adrenal and pleasure glands with the best of British and heavy-hitting US drama imports that we know our viewers will be as passionate about as we are.”

Today’s launch event at Richard’s Oxfordshire home was attended by Virgin 1 staff, media and celebrities.