What to watch in ultra HD this April

Ready for a month of great telly like you’ve never seen before? Then read on to discover some of the ultra HD highlights coming up on the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel (CH 175/999) throughout April. It includes the critically acclaimed TV series Cobra Kai and Lucky Hank in super-sharp 4K ultra high-definition, sci-fi films with eye-popping effects that’ll take your breath away, and dazzling documentary footage that allows you to see nature in a whole new way – and much more besides.

Every month Virgin TV Ultra HD brings you superb drama series, films, documentaries and more in stunning, pixel-perfect UHD. And with Virgin TV 360, you can enjoy Virgin TV Ultra HD around the home thanks to our incredible multiroom experience.

But that’s not all: there’s even more great 4K entertainment to watch with Virgin TV, including hundreds of new box sets and movies from Sky and crystal-clear sport on TNT Sports Ultimate and Sky Sports UHD for customers who subscribe. See below for some of this month’s highlights.

The Virgin TV Ultra HD channel is available to customers with a Mix, Maxit, MegaTV or Essential Entertainment package with a compatible television and our Virgin TV V6 box (powered by TiVo^®), Virgin TV 360 or Stream box. Simply go to CH 175 or CH 999 to start watching.

Please note, if you watch TV on our TiVo^® box, you will not be able to access the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel. But it’s super simple to upgrade to our latest Virgin TV box by contacting us on 0345 454 1111 (or call 150 from a Virgin Media phone). 

Don’t worry about missing any of these when they’re on: new shows and films on the Virgin TV Ultra HD Channel are available in On Demand after their original broadcast, still in eye-popping ultra HD on compatible TVs. Read on to discover some of the ultra HD picks on Virgin TV this April.

Saturday 5 April, 9pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

In 2154, the wealthy elite live in unimaginable luxury on Elysium, a space station orbiting Earth, while the rest of humanity is left to survive on a ruined and conflict-ridden planet below. When Earth-dweller Max (Matt Damon, Oppenheimer) is given just days to live, he hatches a plan to break into Elysium to get access to a cure – but his mission soon takes on a wider scope as the corruption of the ruling class becomes evident. Jodie Foster (True Detective: Night Country) co-stars in this sobering and resonant sci-fi with spectacular visuals, directed by Neill Blomkamp (District 9).

Sunday 6 April, 9pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

The 2000s were a golden period for romcoms and the decade gave us this gem, starring Will Smith (Bad Boys) as Alex “Hitch” Hitchens, a smooth-talking dating coach who helps would-be Romeos to connect with women – not pick-up lines for one-night stands, but with a view to forming fulfilling relationships. Of course, the one person Hitch can’t help find love is himself, and it soon becomes a problem when he finds himself falling for cynical Sara (Eva Mendes, Fast Five). Witty and warm, it’s a real Sunday night treat.

Thursdays from 10 April, 9pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

The Karate Kid story continues. After Johnny (William Zabka) lost the All-Valley Karate Tournament, his life went nowhere fast – until, years later, he uses his karate skills to stop a neighbour (Xolo Maridueña) being beaten up. He’s inspired to teach the kid martial arts and reopen the Cobra Kai dojo. But this attracts the attention of Daniel (Ralph Macchio) and their rivalry is rekindled. Can they work through their issues without anyone getting kicked in the head? A heartfelt comedy drama, with lightning-fast fight moves that look amazing in ultra HD.

Saturday 12 April, 9pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

The narrative of this true life-inspired drama switches between 1950s Paris and 21st-century New York. In the present, Julie (Amy Adams, Nightbitch) is stuck in a depressing job and decides to add spice to her life by making every dish in Julia Child’s classic cookbook Mastering The Art Of French Cooking. Meanwhile we see Child herself (Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia!) at the start of her culinary career, battling sexism and Gallic scorn to find success. Seen in ultra HD, the lovingly created food will have your mouth watering in no time.

Sunday 13 April, 9pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

Jack Nicholson has been absent from screens since he retired in 2010 so it’s well worth revisiting this classic 90s romcom, for which he won his third Oscar. Nicholson plays Melvin Udall, a misanthropic romance novelist who also suffers from obsessive-compulsive disorder. One of the few people whose company Melvin can tolerate is Carol (Helen Hunt), a waitress at his favourite diner – so when Carol decides to quit her job, he does everything he can to keep her in his life. Hunt also won an Oscar for her performance, and co-star Greg Kinnear was nominated.

Mondays from 14 April, 8.10pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

Bill Pullman (Independence Day) narrates this stunning four-part documentary, filmed over two years in incredible ultra high definition that truly captures the majestic scale of Yellowstone National Park in the US. From huge predators like mountain lions and bears to placid bison and beautiful birds, there’s an amazing breadth of wildlife, but the most memorable scenes come when below-zero temperatures collide with spewing heat from subterranean forces, creating dramatic, otherworldly displays.

Good Friday, 9pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

It’s Will Smith again, with a smart twist on the traditional superhero story. Smith’s Hancock is so sick of using his superpowers to save people that he’s often sloppy and creates as many problems as he solves. When he rescues PR guru Ray (Jason Bateman, Ozark), he sees a chance to rehabilitate his image, but Ray’s wife Mary (Charlize Theron, Mad Max: Fury Road) is hiding a dangerous secret. Will there be more high-stakes violence? You bet there will. Directed by Peter Berg (Deepwater Horizon), Hancock is a thoroughly entertaining action flick with some eye-boggling effects.

Saturday 19 April, 9pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

Jennifer Lawrence (The Hunger Games) and Chris Pratt (Guardians Of The Galaxy) star in this ambitious sci-fi romance in which a group of humans head to a new home planet. Jim (Pratt) and Aurora (Lawrence) find themselves awake instead of in hibernation like the others, which means something has gone wrong and they have a long, lonely journey ahead with only each other for company. The two grow closer, but Jim has a secret… The futuristic, beautifully designed interiors look sensational in ultra HD, as do the spacecraft effects.

Easter Sunday, 9pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

Writer/director Cameron Crowe (Almost Famous) gave Tom Cruise one of his signature roles with Jerry Maguire, the story of a sports agent who goes it alone, pinning his hopes on one client who is all potential (Cuba Gooding Jr). Packed with iconic moments – ”Show me the money”, “Help me help you”, “You had me at hello” – it won Gooding an Oscar, introduced the world to romcom queen Renée Zellweger, and also gave us one of the most adorable child actors in movie history in six-year-old Jonathan Lipnicki. Who, if you want to feel old, is now 34. Uplifting and satisfying.

Mondays from 28 April, 9pm, Virgin TV Ultra HD (CH 175/999)

In this UK TV premiere, Better Call Saul’s Bob Odenkirk is Hank Devereaux, a faded writer and bored college professor who, after being provoked into an angry rant by a student, finds his comfortable life under threat. His wife Lily (Mireille Enos, Big Love) thinks a change of scene will do him good, but Hank finds himself unable or unwilling to move on, even though he’s in danger of tipping into a full-blown crisis. Odenkirk brings his everyman charisma to a series that’s both funny and insightful about academic life, domestic turbulence and the realities of adulthood.

Apart from the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel, Virgin Media brings you more TV in diamond-clear 4K Ultra HD, including TV, movies and sport. Sky Sports HD subscribers with a Virgin TV V6 box (powered by TiVo^®), Virgin TV 360 or Stream box can add Sky Sports UHD for £7 extra per month. TNT Sports Ultimate is an ultra HD channel, available to TNT Sports subscribers at no extra cost on CH 525.

You can also watch TV in ultra HD in our wide range of apps, with UHD content available through Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ (if you subscribe), as well as BBC iPlayer and YouTube.

Here’s a taste of what you can watch in mind-boggling, crystal-clear ultra high definition in April on Virgin TV.

Sport

Football: Premier League – Liverpool v Everton
Wednesday 2 April, Sky Sports UHD

Formula One: Japanese Grand Prix
Sunday 6 April, Sky Sports UHD

Football: Premier League – Manchester United v Manchester City
Sunday 6 April, Sky Sports UHD

Football: UEFA Champions League Quarter-final, 1st Leg – Arsenal v Real Madrid
Tuesday 8 April, TNT Sports Ultimate

Football: UEFA Europa League Quarter-final, 1st Leg – Tottenham Hotspur v Eintracht Frankfurt
Thursday 10 April, TNT Sports Ultimate

Formula One: Bahrain Grand Prix
Sunday 13 April, Sky Sports UHD

Football: UEFA Champions League Quarter-final, 2nd Leg – Aston Villa v Paris Saint-Germain
Tuesday 15 April, TNT Sports Ultimate

Football: UEFA  Europa League Quarter Final 2nd Leg – Manchester United v Lyon
Thursday 17 April, TNT Sports Ultimate

Formula One: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
Easter Sunday, Sky Sports UHD

Sky Cinema

It Ends With Us
Available now in UHD in Sky Cinema on demand

Despicable Me 4
Available Friday 4 April in UHD in Sky Cinema on demand

Twisters
Available Friday 18 April in UHD in Sky Cinema on demand

Sky Entertainment

Small Town, Big Story
Season 1 available now in UHD in On Demand > Sky Showcase

Gangs Of London
Seasons 1-3 available now in UHD in On Demand > Sky Showcase

Matlock
Season 1 available now in UHD in On Demand > Sky Witness

Hacks
Season 4 available from Friday 11 April in UHD in On Demand > Sky Max. Seasons 1-3 available now

Simply go to CH 175 or CH 999 to access Virgin TV Ultra HD. Don’t have a 4K TV? Never fear, because you can also watch the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel through your HD TV. Lucky you!

Please note, if you watch TV on our TiVo^® box, you will not be able to access the Virgin TV Ultra HD channel. But it’s super-simple to upgrade to our latest Virgin TV box by contacting us on 0345 454 1111 (or call 150 from a Virgin Media phone).