UKTV to launch masterbrand U on 16th July 2024
22/07/2024
Brand new original commissions including Outrageous and Bergerac coming in 2025, and first picture released from set of The Marlow Murder Club series two
Thursday 6th June 2024: UKTV has announced that U - its new masterbrand - will launch on 16th July, including a quality line-up of content of nearly 8,500 hours on its free streaming service, an uplift of almost 1,500 hours from the start of the year.
The masterbrand will unite UKTVs family of free-to-air channels becoming U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&YESTERDAY and U&W. Its free streaming service will transition from UKTV Play to U.
Penny Brough, Chief Marketing Officer, UKTV said, The launch of U on 16th July is an important step for UKTV, defining our age of transformation. U will present our viewers with an extraordinary range of free quality content, allowing them to connect the dots between the streaming service and our family of TV channels.Andrea Amey, Chief Digital Officer, UKTV added, U will be home to almost 8,500 hours of free content, comprising new programming, exclusive shows, award-winning originals and premiere acquisitions. We cant wait to give our viewers even more choice and a service that is easy to navigate, so they can enjoy our free and varied offering.Alongside viewer favourites, audiences will be able to benefit from new programming around launch, including:
Brand new original comedy reality gameshow Battle in the Box (8x60) on U and U&Dave, hosted by Jimmy Carr. Based on a hit Korean format, pairs of comics and celebrities will battle it out for pride, prizes and most importantly, floorspace, in this comedy entertainment and reality hybrid.
Second series of Whitstable Pearl (6 x45) will be available as a boxset on U from 16th July before launching on U&DRAMA. The crime drama returns for a new season, following series one record ratings. Pearl Nolan (Kerry Godliman), single mother of a grown son, is a private detective who runs the Whitstable Pearl, a seafood restaurant in the coastal town of Whitstable.
Series one to seven of Sons of Anarchy (92x60) the hit American action crime drama, created by Kurt Sutter for FX, starring Charlie Hunnam will launch on U alongside the UK premiere of Orlando Bloom: To the Edge (3x120) which follows actor and adventure enthusiast Orlando Bloom embark on a physical, mental and spiritual journey of self-discovery as he undertakes three extreme sports to push himself to the edge of whats possible. Both shows will premiere on U before airing on U&Dave later in the year.
Earlier in the year, UKTV announced that it had licensed Mike (8x30) from Disney Entertainment, which follows the dynamic and controversial story of Mike Tyson. The eight-episode limited series explores the tumultuous ups and downs of Tysons boxing career and personal life - from being a beloved global athlete to a pariah and back again, and will stream on U, and air later in the year on U&Dave.
Other new programming includes SisterS, which sees two women, one from Canada and the other from Ireland discover they are half-sisters and embark on a road trip to find their alcoholic father, and FTA premiere of American scripted comedy sci-fi show Future Man (starring Josh Hutcherson and Seth Rogan).
A record tenth series of Bangers & Cash (15x60) on U and U&YESTERDAY following the Mathewsons family-run historic car auction business in Yorkshire. One of U&YESTERDAYs most popular shows, it has spawned a live event - Bangers & Cash Live, with over 15,000 people expected to attend in August.
Plus, popular back-catalogue hits such as The Bill and Classic EastEnders.
In recent months, UKTV has also announced a host of new original titles that will launch from the end of this year and throughout early 2025 including:
A second series of Robert Thorogoods The Marlow Murder Club (6x60) following the best ever series premiere of the last decade for series one, will launch early next year on U and U&DRAMA. Filming of the next chapter commenced in picturesque Marlow this week, and saw the reunion of Samantha Bond (Judith Potts), Jo Martin (Suzie Harris), Cara Horgan (Becks Starling) and Natalie Dew (DCI Tanika Malik).
A re-imagining of Bergerac (6x60) which sees Detective Jim Bergerac return to the iconic setting of Jersey in the new series, written by Toby Whithouse, will air in 2025 on U and U&DRAMA.
Outrageous (6x60) is the true story of six sisters who refused to play by the rules and whose often-scandalous lives made headlines around the world. Set against the gathering storm clouds of the 1930s, Outrageous will bring the full, uncensored story of the Mitford sisters to the screen for the first time in 2025 (U and U&DRAMA).
U and U&Dave are also set for a third series of Worlds Most Dangerous Roads (6x60).
U and U&W will be joined by a fourth series of Emma Willis: Delivering Babies (6x60) plus new true crime shows including Back From The Dead: Who Kidnapped Me? (3x60) and Lies, Deceit & Betrayal (6x60).
Last year, UKTV announced the launch of four Free Ad-supported Streaming TV (FAST) channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee and Pluto TV, which marked the broadcasters debut in the FAST market. These channels also launched on Virgin earlier this year. As part of the new masterbrand, UKTVs FAST channels will be rebranded, with UKTV Play Heroes becoming U&Real Heroes; UKTV Play Laughs will move to U&Laughs; UKTV Play Full Throttle will transition to U&Transport; and UKTV Play Uncovered will be known as U&The Past.
UKTV has an ambitious growth strategy, focussed on supercharging its streaming service and growing its linear channels. A key driver of this is connecting and better leveraging the brands within UKTVs estate. The launch of this new masterbrand supports this strategy by making it easie
LINK: | https://corporate.uktv.co.uk/newsroom/uktv-to-launch-masterbrand-u-on-... |
See more stories from uktv |
More from UKTV
24/09/2024
New episodes of Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators to premiere on Alibi before launching on BBC & iPlayer
Fan-favourite Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators has started filming ...
23/09/2024
Sky & UKTV extend multi-year partnership
- Renewed agreement sees UKTV pay channels, Alibi and Gold, together with its free channel portfolio, available to Sky customers - Gold & Alibi also available ...
19/09/2024
UKTV crowns the Classic Car Kings in new restoration series for U&YESTERDAY
UKTV has commissioned the new series, Classic Car Kings (6x60'), for leading factual channel U&YESTERDAY and free streaming service, U. The six-part series ...
18/09/2024
Line up revealed for World's Most Dangerous Roads S6
Johnny Vegas & Lucy Beaumont and Babatunde Al sh & Kae Kurd arethecomedians taking part in brand new episodes of World's Most Dangerous Roads, which return...
18/09/2024
TV channel Gold's Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out is joined by celebrities Emma Bunton, Meera Syal, Ruby Wax and more
The nation's favourite comedy channel, Gold, is set to take a reflective loo...
17/09/2024
FIRST LOOK at Damien Molony in re-imagined series of Bergerac for U and U&DRAMA
UKTV today releases a selection of first look images captured in Jersey for the upcoming re-imagined series of Bergerac (6x60') for U and U&DRAMA. The six-p...
16/09/2024
UKTV joins BBC, ITV, Channel 4 & Channel 5 on Freely, the UK's new live and on demand streaming platform
UKTV and Everyone TV - the organisation leading the evolution of free TV in the ...
05/09/2024
FIRST LOOK: The Marlow Murder Club welcomes star-studded line-up of guest stars for second series on U and U&DRAMA
Nina Sosanya, Samantha Womack, Hugh Quarshie, Patrick Robinson and many more joi...
04/09/2024
UKTV acquires UK premiere for second series of the Italian Riviera set historical drama, Hotel Portofino on U and U&DRAMA
UKTV today announces the acquisition of Hotel Portofino (2 x 6x60') for U an...
28/08/2024
New series of Canal Boat Diaries sees Robbie return to where it all began
UKTV has commissioned another new series of Canal Boat Diaries (10x60) for leading factual channel U&YESTERDAY and free streaming service, U, having licensed th...
27/08/2024
FIRST LOOK images released for upcoming Chris Lang drama I, Jack Wright on Alibi
UKTV today releases a selection of first look images for the upcoming U&Original series, I, Jack Wright (6x60') on specialist crime drama channel, Alibi. Th...
22/08/2024
Katie Piper returns to U&W for new series, Katie Piper: Locked Up In Louisiana
Notorious New Orleans womens prison to open its doors for new documentary series. TV presenter, Katie Piper returns to U&W to once again uncover life for women...
22/08/2024
Guy Martin joins UKTV's roster of talent with his first U&Dave Original series
UKTV is excited to announce the commission of the new series, Guy Martin's P...
19/08/2024
U&DAVE'S JOKE OF THE FRINGE 2024
U&DAVE'S JOKE OF THE FRINGE 2024 10 FUNNIEST GAGS OF THE 2024 EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL REVEALED Comedian Mark Simmons wins U&Dave's Funniest Joke of...
15/08/2024
FIRST LOOK images released for Outrageous on U and U&DRAMA
UKTV today releases a selection of first look images for the upcoming U&Original series, Outrageous (6x60') on U and U&DRAMA. The brand-new drama, created a...
01/08/2024
Live auction special and more as U goes back Under the Bonnet with Bangers & Cash
UKTV's free streaming service, U, to get exclusive Bangers & Cash specials f...
31/07/2024
Special Ops: To Catch a Criminal renewed for further 8 episode run
UKTV has commissioned popular factual label Red Sauce, part of Zinc Media Group, to make a further two seasons of its gritty factual series Special Ops: To Catc...
24/07/2024
W commissions brand-new docu-reality series The Young Midwives of Essex
UKTV has commissioned The Young Midwives of Essex (8x60) from Firecracker Films (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Emma Willis: Delivering Babies). This brand-new docu...
23/07/2024
Pete Wicks to front brand new DOG-umentary for U and U&W
UKTV has commissioned brand-new Pete Wicks: For Dogs' Sake (4x60') for free-to-air entertainment channel U&W, and recently rebranded free streaming serv...
22/07/2024
Wheelie Good Portraits mark the new series of World's Most Dangerous Roads
Portraits of Joe Swash, Chris Kamara and Angela Barnes created using scrap car parts Portraits of Joe Swash, Chris Kamara and Angela Barnes made entirely of sc...
22/07/2024
W commissions brand-new docu-reality series The Real Midwives of Essex
UKTV has commissioned The Real Midwives of Essex (8x60) from Firecracker Films (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Emma Willis: Delivering Babies). This brand-new docu-...
22/07/2024
UKTV Ventures partners with the UK's first independent online funeral-planning service, The Farewell Guide, in 1million airtime-for-equity deal
Award-winning broadcaster UKTV has today announced it has invested in the UKs fi...
22/07/2024
UKTV licenses six shows from Disney Entertainment for Alibi, Drama, Dave and UKTV Play
A Small Light, Mike, Alaska Daily, The Company You Keep, Sons of Anarchy S1-7, B...
22/07/2024
UKTV Ventures partners with online care marketplace, Elder, in airtime-for-equity deal
Award-winning broadcaster UKTV has today announced it has invested in the award-...
22/07/2024
UKTV to launch masterbrand U on 16th July 2024
Battle in the Box, Whitstable Pearl series two, Sons of Anarchy and the UK premiere of Orlando Bloom: To the Edge head up launch Brand new original commissions...
22/07/2024
Great-ish News as Dave Gorman Returns to U&Dave
Four brand new specials for iconic hit comedy show examining modern life will air later this year Stand-up comedian and "high priest of comedy PowerPoint" (The...
22/07/2024
Claire Hookway joins UKTV commissioning team for original drama
UKTV has appointed Claire Hookway to the newly created role of Commissioning Executive to bolster the development of the multi-channel broadcasters growing slat...
22/07/2024
Filming begins for Series 4 of Sister Boniface Mysteries
Filming has begun on the fourth series of the hugely popular BBC Studios Drama production, Sister Boniface Mysteries, a BritBox International and UKTV co-produc...
22/07/2024
U&W to spend another series At Home with Katherine Ryan
Comedian Katherine Ryan will once again open the doors to her family home for At Home With Katherine Ryan (4x60') on U&W, Broadcast Digital's Entertainm...
22/07/2024
Global superstar, Cher, stars in new advert from UKTV celebrating today's introduction of U, its free streaming service
The witty story sees Cher travel through new and loved shows from U whilst perfo...
22/07/2024
UKTV launches U Masterbrand on air and unveils global superstar Cher in U streaming advert
Stream on U Today marks the launch of UKTV's new Masterbrand U, which sees...
22/07/2024
World's first TV Dinners restaurant opens!
TV Dinners for U' experience pairs gourmet food with curated menu of TV shows from new free streaming service, U New restaurant pop-up heightens the TV d...
22/07/2024
Paul McGann, Tim McInnerny and many more join as guest stars for Alibi's Bookish
Further guest stars are now confirmed for Bookish (6x70'), a brand-new drama...
22/07/2024
Sanjeev Bhaskar, Shaun Williamson and Annette Badland, amongst other guest stars, join Johnny Vegas and Sian Gibson for new Murder, They Hope special
Apocalypse Slough will air on Gold this Autumn and follows the success of Christ...
10/07/2024
U&Dave thinks Will & Ralf Should Know Better
Will Mellor and Ralf Little will bring their renowned chemistry to U and U&Dave later this year with Will & Ralf Should Know Better (4x60). Pulling back the cur...
07/07/2024
Damien Molony set to star as Jim Bergerac in re-imagined series of Bergerac for U&DRAMA and U
Other cast include Zo Wanamaker and Philip Glenister Casting is now confirmed ...
04/07/2024
Fronted by Dermot O'Leary and featuring Katherine Ryan, U&Dave orders Silence is Golden, Yes Yes Media's brand-new comedy competition
Each episode begins with U&Dave giving the studio audience £250,000 to share bet...
04/07/2024
Dave Gorman Returns to U&Dave
Great-Ish News as Dave Gorman returns to U&Dave Four brand new specials for iconic hit comedy show examining modern life will air later this year Stand-up comed...
02/07/2024
It's official, were a nation of TV addicts! Brits spend 4 years watching the telly
Worlds first TV Dinners for U restaurant opens in London to mark the launch of n...
26/06/2024
Filming begins for new drama Outrageous - the story of the notorious Mitford sisters
The series is produced by Firebird Pictures and written by Sarah Williams Filmi...
20/06/2024
Rosie Jones's Disability Comedy Extravaganza returns for a third series on free-to-air channel U&Dave and free streaming service, U
Free-to-air channel Dave and UKTV Play to be renamed U&Dave and U, following lau...
19/06/2024
Gold gets to know absolutely everything about Absolutely Fabulous
Sweetie darlings... its time to pour some champers, grab your best Gaultier and get ready for three decades of fabulous! The nations favourite comedy channel, ...
06/06/2024
UKTV to launch masterbrand U on 16th July
Battle in the Box, Whitstable Pearl series two, Sons of Anarchy and the UK premiere of Orlando Bloom: To the Edge head up launch Brand new original commissions...
06/06/2024
UKTV commissions two new true crime shows from Wag Entertainment
UKTV continues its commitment to the intriguing world of true crime with Back from the Dead: Who Kidnapped Me? (3 x 60) and Lies, Deceit And Betrayal (6 x 60). ...
21/05/2024
Unveiling the next chapter: The Marlow Murder Club returns for a second series on free-to-air channel U&DRAMA and free streaming service, U
Samantha Bond, Jo Martin, Cara Horgan and Natalie Dew return to Marlow for the s...
20/05/2024
Masters of Reinvention commissioned for Yesterday & UKTV Play
UKTV has commissioned Masters of Reinvention (6x60) for its leading factual channel Yesterday and free streaming service UKTV Play, to be produced by Air TV. I...
15/05/2024
UKTV Ventures partners with The Farewell Guide in 1million airtime-for-equity deal
12th March 2024 - Award-winning broadcaster UKTV has today announced it has inve...
07/05/2024
Paul Whitehouse takes viewers through The Sketch Show Years in new 4-part series on Gold
The nations favourite comedy channel Gold has teamed up with the maestro of the ...
29/04/2024
Filming begins and further cast confirmed in Mark Gatiss drama Bookish for Alibi
Further casting is now confirmed for Bookish (6x70), a brand-new drama created by Emmy Award-winning writer Mark Gatiss, for UKTVs specialist crime drama channe...
24/04/2024
UKTV's pay TV channel Alibi joins forces with S4C and All3Media International for new legal crime drama series Mudtown
UKTV today announces the commission of the brand-new series, Mudtown (6x60), for...