Looking for BEAM?
You’ve come to the right place. Just follow these simple steps to get started.
- I saw adverts about watching movies and playing games on your trains – how can I do this?
- Is everything on BEAM the same, whatever train I’m on?
- Are there any age restrictions?
- Is BEAM free?
- Why isn’t BEAM available on all trains?
Answers
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I saw adverts about watching movies and playing games on your trains – how can I do this?
If you’re using an Android device or a laptop, just connect to our onboard WiFi and head to enjoybeam.co.uk. Easy peasy. On devices that use iOS (iPhones and iPads) you’ll need the BEAM app. Either download before you board, or connect to our onboard WiFi and head to the App Store. If you’re in Standard you can still connect to our WiFi and therefore BEAM without paying for Internet access. Once you have BEAM, open it to explore, register (if it’s your first time), and enjoy.
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Are there any age restrictions?
Yes, it’s the law! We’ll ask you to confirm that certain titles are suitable before allowing you to hit play.
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Yes! Whether you’re in First Class or Standard, access to BEAM is totally free. You won’t have to ever pay for content or the Internet to enjoy it. You’re able to download BEAM without using any data or paying for onboard Internet, and once you have the app streaming is also always completely free.
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Why isn’t BEAM available on all trains?
BEAM is available across all trains! It’s just that the content on Pendolino and Voyager trains varies. On a Voyager, you can read magazines and play games. On a Pendolino however, you can watch films, TV shows and short videos, as well as read magazines and play games.
On our Voyager trains BEAM gives you access to interesting weekly reads and glossy monthly mags, as well as a whole host of boredom-banishing games. On our Pendolinos you’ll have access to all of the above, plus blockbuster movies (fresh off the box office and cult classics) and award-winning TV box sets.
- Where can I get the app?
- Do I need the app?
- Can I watch on my laptop?
- Can I get subtitles?
- How often do you change the stuff that’s on there?
- Can I download the app on the train?
Answers
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The Apple Store for Apple devices, and Google Play for Android devices.
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Yes! Just connect to our onboard WiFi, open your browser, and go to enjoybeam.co.uk. The currently supported browsers are the latest versions of:
- Google Chrome - Android, Windows, Mac OS
- Firefox - Windows, Mac OS
- Opera - Windows, Mac OS
- Silk – Amazon Fire OS only
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Yes. If subtitles exist for the film or TV show you’re watching, we’ve got ‘em. On the rare occasion that a TV show doesn’t have subtitles, you can still check our huge range of magazines and fun games.
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How often do you change the stuff that’s on there?
Certain movies, TV series and magazine titles change every month (or week, for weekly magazines), but a few of the bigger blockbusters will be available for up to six months.
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Can I download the app on the train?
Yes... but you might not need to. If you’re using an Android device or a laptop, you can just connect to our onboard WiFi and head to enjoybeam.co.uk. If you’re using an iOS device (iPhones and iPads) then just connect to our onboard WiFi to download BEAM without using any data or paying for onboard Internet.
Not if you’re using an Android device or a laptop, you can just connect to our onboard WiFi and head to enjoybeam.co.uk. If you’re using an iOS device (iPhones and iPads) then you’ll definitely need the app. Either download before you board, or connect to our onboard WiFi to download BEAM without using any data or paying for onboard Internet.
- I didn’t finish my movie, can I watch it after getting off the train?
- I paused a movie for a little while and now I’ve come back and it’s telling me I can’t watch it anymore!
- I was halfway through watching something on an earlier journey, but BEAM hasn’t remembered where I got to.
- Why am I being asked to register again?
- I was watching a show just the other day, but I can’t find it anymore.
Answers
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I didn’t finish my movie, can I watch it after getting off the train?
Nope, sorry. You can only access our content when you’re onboard our trains, but if you haven’t finished what you were watching, BEAM will remember where you got to as long as you’re using the same device. Clever.
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It sounds like you’re using a different device. You’ll need to scroll through to where you were manually.
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Why am I being asked to register again?
Registrations are stored as a cookie on your device, so if you’re using a new device or you’ve recently removed cookies from your device you’ll need to register again. Also, so that as many people as possible can access BEAM, we spread the load across the length of the trains. This means that you may occasionally need to re-register if you move seats, or if you’re on a different type of train.
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I was watching a show just the other day, but I can’t find it anymore.
We regularly update what’s available on BEAM, it sounds like you’re one of the unlucky ones who wasn’t able to finish their favourite before it was gone!
If we’ve reached our limit for movies or TV, we free up spaces from anyone who’s been inactive for a little while (let’s be honest, we’ve all fallen asleep in the middle of a movie). You can try again shortly, or check out the magazines and games while you wait.
- Will using BEAM use up my phone’s data? Or the Standard internet I’ve paid for?
- Is the Internet slow because too many people are using BEAM?
Answers
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Will using BEAM use up my phone’s data? Or the Standard internet I’ve paid for?
No way. BEAM’s server doesn’t rely on the internet at all. Once you’re in, it’s all free.
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Is the Internet slow because too many people are using BEAM?
BEAM doesn’t need the internet. If you’re experiencing a slow internet connection, it’s probably because we’re passing through a part of the country where there’s a poor connection.
- What does the message, “Error, video failed to play. Please check your Wi-Fi connection and try again.” mean?
- What does the message, “It’s rush-hour. Too many people are watching movies right now, try again soon. In the meantime, why not check out our magazines and games?” mean?
- What does the message, “Heavy traffic. Sorry, there are still too many people watching movies. Keep trying and hopefully they’ll all jump off at the next stop.” mean?
Answers
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If you’ve paused a movie or TV show and your device goes into sleep mode, this may disconnect you from the onboard WiFi, just re-connect and try again. If it still doesn’t work, very occasionally there could be such a large number of people using BEAM that you may not be able to continue watching. If this happens take a look at our games and magazines, these should still be available.
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If you see this message, there are still too many people watching. See the above answer for more info.
There is a limit to the number of people who can watch movies and TV shows at the same time, just sit tight and try again in a minute, or check out our games and magazines.
- How do I give feedback?
- Are Virgin Trains using my data for marketing purposes?
- Does BEAM store any movies or entertainment on my device?
- Will this put cookies on my device, and what do they do?
- Why do I have to register for the app when I’ve registered before?
- Why do we have to connect to the Wi-Fi and the app to get content?
- Won’t it get noisy with all these people watching movies?
- BEAM isn’t working?
Answers
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Click this link to give feedback about BEAM and your overall experience on our trains.
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Does BEAM store any movies or entertainment on my device?
Your device will hold a few minutes of video to buffer anything you watch, but it won’t store the full video, no.
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Will this put cookies on my device, and what do they do?
A cookie will be placed on your device, to allow us to remember where you are in the movie or show that you’re watching. This way, as long as you’re on the same device, next time you connect you’ll be able to pick up where you left off.
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Why do I have to register for the app when I’ve registered before?
You’ve already registered for the WiFi – this second registration is to get access to all the great stuff available on BEAM.
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Why do we have to connect to the Wi-Fi and the app to get content?
Connecting to the Wi-Fi onboard connects you to our system where all of BEAM’s goodies are stored.
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Won’t it get noisy with all these people watching movies?
BEAM is available across all trains! It’s just that the content on Pendolino and Voyager trains varies. On a Voyager, you can read magazines and play games. On a Pendolino however, you can watch films, TV shows and short videos, as well as read magazines and play games.
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BEAM is available across all trains! It’s just that the content on Pendolino and Voyager trains varies. On a Voyager, you can read magazines and play games. On a Pendolino however, you can watch films, TV shows and short videos, as well as read magazines and play games.
For details of how Virgin Trains use your data please view our privacy policy. You will only receive marketing communications from Virgin Trains if you have opted-in during registration or purchase.