Virgin Trains has today launched a free Netflix-style streaming service, allowing passengers to watch TV Shows and films such as House of Cards and Frozen using their own devices.
The new app BEAM will give travellers access to around 200 hours worth of films, TV programmes, magazines and games.
The entertainment system is free for all travellers regardless of class of travel. To access the content customers need to download the BEAM app from the Apple or Android app store on their device before they get on-board.
The system is similar to what’s available on a number of airlines as many passengers have better screens on their own devices than the traditional seat-back televisions, which add extra weight to aircraft.
BEAM is now available on all Virgin Pendolino services on the West Coast route and will be rolled out across all Voyager services by September 2016. It will be introduced on East Coast services this week.
Patrick McCall, co-chairman for Virgin Trains, said: “At Virgin Trains we pride ourselves on continuously improving our customers’ on-board experience and so will continue to update the content on BEAM to guarantee our passengers have the latest entertainment on offer.
“The new service is more advanced than the systems currently available on planes as customers use their own devices, which normally have larger screens with better picture quality than standard seat-back devices.”