Celebrate International Women’s Day with Virgin TV

International Women’s Day marks a very important date in our calendars. The fight for gender equality both on and off our TV screens is far from over, and this year’s theme of Accelerate Action only further emphasises the need to speed up progress worldwide.

At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, which is roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.

Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action highlights the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. It calls for increased momentum and urgency in addressing the systemic barriers and biases that women face, both in personal and professional spheres.

This International Women’s Day (Saturday 8 March), we’re celebrating the contributions and achievements of women with a curated collection of documentaries that features strong, successful and inspirational women.

Whether you’re a fan of these feminist forces already or want to learn about a real-life activist or pioneer of women’s rights, these empowering stories that made headlines around the world are available to watch on Virgin TV now. Remember: together we can speak out and step forward in solidarity for International Women's Day. 

Find it in Sky Documentaries on demand now

She’s the world’s bestselling female recording artist. And this immersive documentary perfectly captures the coming-of-age story of one of the greatest icons in entertainment history. From humble beginnings to celebrity superstardom and beyond, Becoming Madonna uses archive film and uncovered audio tape to chronicle Madonna’s astronomical influence on music, fashion, feminism and the LGBTQ+ community.  

Find it in Sky HISTORY on demand now

Have you ever heard of the Special Operations Executive (SOE)? This top-secret British espionage organisation aided the resistance in German-occupied Europe during the Second World War. Lost Women Spies tells the extraordinary story of Britain’s female SOE agents, who defied the odds and risked their lives to change the course of history, operating under the watchful eye of legendary spy chief Vera Atkins.

Find it in Sky Documentaries on demand now

From award-winning film-makers Tia Lessin (Trouble The Water) and Emma Pildes (Jane Fonda In Five Acts) comes this jaw-dropping story about a group of rule-breaking women whose actions still resonate today – and whose beliefs are just as relevant as ever. Starting in the 1960s, the film documents the trailblazing activism of a clandestine network known as the Jane Collective, who assisted women across the United States with more than 11,000 illegal but safe abortions.

Find it in Apps > Prime Video now

As one of the world’s most decorated and accomplished singers, Celine Dion appears to have it all. However, this revealing documentary from Oscar-nominated film-maker Irene Taylor (The Final Inch) proves that looks can be deceiving. The film celebrates Dion’s career and legacy (including holding the record for the most albums to reach diamond status), while also detailing her decades-long struggle with the rare autoimmune neurological disorder stiff-person syndrome. 

Find it in Sky Documentaries on demand now

Since 2016, players for the United States women’s national football team have been locked in a legal battle with the United States Soccer Federation over equal pay. LFG tells the no-holds-barred story from the footballers themselves including Megan Rapinoe, Becky Sauerbrunn, Kelley O'Hara, Christen Press, Sam Mewis and Julie Foudy, as they share first-hand the impacts of the pay gap and their tireless campaign for justice.

Rent or buy it in the Virgin Media Store now. Cert PG

Whether you know it or not, you’ll have heard the sublime soprano stylings of Maria Callas at some point in your life. She is often regarded as the most influential opera singer of the 20th century, and Maria By Callas details the remarkable life of Callas through the performances, TV interviews, private letters and unpublished letters of a woman who – nearly 50 years after her death – remains one of the bestselling classical artists of all time.

Find it in Apps > Prime Video now

Singer, composer, actor, philanthropist, entrepreneur… is there anything that Dolly Parton can’t do? Apparently not, and this documentary chronicles the rags-to-riches story of one of the most celebrated musicians in history, who beyond her 3,000-song music catalogue has also helped millions of Americans with her pioneering Dollywood foundation, scholarship opportunities, conservation and natural disaster relief efforts, and even more charitable endeavours. We salute you, Dolly!

Find it in Apps > Disney+ now

Oscar winner Halle Berry. MCU star Tessa Thompson. Legendary choreographer Debbie Allen. These are just some of the trailblazing Black women who feature in this documentary that explores the groundbreaking contributions they’ve made to the film industry. As a historically overlooked and undervalued group in Hollywood, the film documents the rich legacy, triumphs, struggles and iconic moments of these Black women, as well as the intergenerational impact that they’ve had by paving the way for a new wave of talent on our screens.

How to watch Prime Video with Virgin TV

Prime Video is available to all Virgin TV customers with a V6 box, powered by TiVo^®, and a subscription to the service. Simply sign up to Amazon Prime via the website, and you can log in on the box. And because Prime Video is fully integrated into TiVo^®, you can search without even going into the app. Just select Search & Discover from the Home menu and type in the name of the show or movie you’re after. Virgin TV 360 customers can also find Prime Video shows and launch the app with voice search. 

Register on Virgin Media Store to buy the latest movies and TV shows

Sign up now at virginmediastore.com and choose from hundreds of films and TV Box Sets and start watching instantly.

All Virgin Media customers armed with a TiVo^® box or a V6 box powered by TiVo^® can go to On Demand > Movies > Store. If you have our Virgin TV 360 or Stream box, go to Box Sets & Movies > STORE.

You can access it online and watch it on your registered iOS and Android devices with the Virgin Media Store app.

How to access Disney+ on Virgin TV

All Virgin TV customers with our 360 or Stream boxes can find Disney+ in the Apps menu. Just scroll to Disney+ and press Select. You will need to login to use Disney+ the first time you use it. Please use the QR code or website information presented when opening the app for the first time.

If you do not currently have a Disney+ subscription, simply sign up via the Disney+ website, and then you can login on the box.