The UK battle for hit shows like Lost has turned in favor of Virgin Media. As posted earlier, the Virgin Media group's negotiations with BSkyB, the company that owns channels like Sky One, had stalled. The Sky One channel has had exclusive access to shows like Lost, 24, and The Simpsons. Now it is rumored that Virgin Media cut out the middle man and negotiated directly with ABC to air all three seasons of Lost via the cable company's on-demand channel.

This is good news for UK Lost viewers and Virgin Media subscribers, who were in danger of getting cut off from the show altogether this week. The on-demand deal would still delay airing of Season Three episodes until August, however. If BSkyB and Virgin Media can agree on a renewal price, there is still hope that Lost will continue uninterrupted.

The ABC/Virgin deal is expected to be announced tomorrow.