
UKTV has commissioned another new series of Canal Boat Diaries (10x60) for leading factual channel U&YESTERDAY and free streaming service, U, having licensed the format rights from the BBC.
The sixth series of Canal Boat Diaries will take viewers through some of the most beautiful countryside and canalscapes the south of England has to offer. Winding down through Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Berkshire and Wiltshire, the series will end up where it all started for Robbie, before he began filming his adventures.
Robbie Cumming said: For me this is going to be about having fun and enjoying my journey as much as possible. In May 2025 I will have travelled in my narrowboat home for a full decade. So, to celebrate this Ill be retracing my very first journey - albeit in reverse and with some rivers and canals Ive never been on before. In the last series I encountered some of the most challenging canals Ive ever waded through, spent a lot of time down the weed hatch, broke windows, lost equipment, got stuck in locks and dropped my phone in the canal. So, who knows what will happen - Im just hoping for a bit more luck this time!
The executive producer is David Sumnall at Middlechild and the series producer is Stuart Woodman, who has produced all previous series.
Canal Boat Diaries has been commissioned for UKTV by Tracy-Jean (TJ), commissioning executive, with Helen Nightingale, head of factual and factual entertainment, and ordered for U&YESTERDAY by Gerald Casey, channel director, and Hilary Rosen, director of commissioning.
Tracy-Jean, UKTV commissioning executive, said: Our first original series of Canal Boat Diaries was such a joy to make and so loved by our audience that we immediately decided to jump back on board the Naughty Lass with Robbie and Middlechild. Leading us down a brand new network of canals, expect to see familiar southern sights from a different perspective and at a pace we all would like to travel at.
U&YESTERDAY's channel director, Gerald Casey, said: Canal Boat Diaries has been a real hit with U&YESTERDAY's audiences with strong launch numbers across the board, so I'm thrilled that Robbie is filming another series for us.
Canal Boat Diaries S6 is filming now and will air in 2025 on U&Yesterday channel and will be available on U, joining a slate of original programming including Bangers & Cash, Secrets of the London Underground, Dream Car Fixersand Masters of Reinvention.
For further information please contact:
Neelam Rhodes, Front Desk Publicist, UKTV
Notes to Editors:
*Source: BARB / TechEdge. Ran 30/07/2024. 7-day consolidated adults (+16%) unless individuals (4+) stated. Total Consumption (TC) based on 28-day consolidated viewing, including online and same-week repeats. Reach = 3min, 1+. The full series of Canal Boat Diaries S5 was made available on U from Monday 3rd June. The title delivered one of U&Yesterday's strongest ever box-set launches in 7-day D2C viewing.
About U&YESTERDAY
Freeview 27 | Sky 155 | Virgin 129 | Freesat 159 | YouView 27
Stream for free on U | @yesterdaytweets
TV for curious minds, revealing fascinating factual stories from the world around us. U&YESTERDAY showcases original series such as Abandoned Engineering, The Architecture The Railways Built and Secrets of the London Underground as well as new and exclusive observational documentaries, including Bangers & Cash and Hornby: A Model World.
About U
U is UKTV's free streaming service, providing instant access to shows from UKTVs free-to-air channels - U&Dave, U&DRAMA U&W and U&YESTERDAY. Viewers can browse 8,500 hours of programming - including exclusive content, award-winning originals, premiere acquisitions and iconic BBC programmes across drama, (Whitstable Pearl, Marlow Murder Club, Annika, Sister Boniface Mysteries, Sons of Anarchy, Mike, Madam Secretary, A Million Little Things, The Shield, The Bill, Classic EastEnders, Holby City plus upcoming series in 2025 such as Bergerac and Outrageous), comedy (Meet the Richardsons, Red Dwarf, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, We Are Not Alone, Rosie Jones's Comedy Disability Extravaganza), entertainment (Battle in the Box, Big Zuus Big Eats, David Mitchells Outsiders, QI, Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, Worlds Most Dangerous Roads), and factual entertainment (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, MasterChef Australia, Katie Piper: Jailhouse Mums, Emma Willis: Delivering Babies, Secrets of the London Underground, Bangers & Cash, Orlanda Bloom: To The Edge). U is available through the U app via computer, tablet or smart phone, or on television with Freeview Play, Amazon Fire TV, YouView, Samsung TV, Apple TV, Freesat, NOW and Roku.
u.co.uk
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands - U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, Gold, Alibi and Eden - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview and Freesat; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV's content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media. UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster is part of BBC Studios, the UKs most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the worlds leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
corporate.uktv.co.uk | press.uktv.co.uk | @uktvpress
About Middlechild
https://www.middlechild.tv/
Middlechild are based in the vibrant Seven Dials area of Brighton, and
More from UKTV
12/11/2026
Image available HERE
Teaser available HERE
A teaser for The Cadburys (6x60') has been released, introducing audiences to the core family of George (Harry ...
21/10/2026
Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over returns for a seventh series in 2027, with Stacey Dooley MBE getting exclusive access to the homes and lives of Kerry Katona, Lauryn G...
21/10/2026
Expansion builds on broadcasters successful FAST launch and grows portfolio to 12 channels
New channels dedicated to iconic brands including Top Gear, EastEnde...
20/10/2026
As Only Fools and Horses marks its 45th anniversary year, and following tonights...
08/10/2026
14-hour package also includes A Remarkable Place to Die season 2 as well as libr...
07/10/2026
The six-part series will launch on free-streaming service U in 2027.
A set of first look images have been released for The Cadburys (6x60'), the upcoming s...
24/09/2026
London, 24th September 2026: UKTV has commissioned an eighth series of Canal Boat Diaries (8x60') for U (u.co.uk) and U&YESTERDAY, with waterways explorer R...
23/09/2026
A great watch - Radio Times
TV's most likeable proper bloke - Daily Telegraph
23rd September 2026, London: Guy Martin returns to free streaming service...
17/09/2026
The Neighbours Effect: Gen Z Brings Back Big Hair, Double Denim and 80s soap sty...
10/09/2026
The beloved duo are back with big challenges and even bigger laughs as they discover if you're ever truly too old to try something new.
Previous praise for...
26/08/2026
Brand new comedy game show entertainment format
Jack Dee will host free streaming service U (u.co.uk) and U&Dave's brand new comedy game show Jack Dees He...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
13/08/2026
New U and U&W Documentary Features Kathleen Richards, One of the Last Surviving Witnesses to Fred and Rose West
Kathleen is Reunited with Childhood Friend and ...
12/08/2026
NEW BOOKSHOP OPENING IN LONDON THAT OFFERS NEW IDENTITIES, NOT BOOKS, WITH FREE ...
03/08/2026
Jason Flemyng, Tessa Peake-Jones, Lee Ingleby and Georgia Tennant join the cast ...
09/07/2026
Years in the making, this intimate documentary draws on rare access to Leah Crouchers family to tell the story behind one of Britains most high-profile missing ...
07/07/2026
UKTV commission with BritBox and Sony Pictures Television and inspired by Deborah Cadbury's book, Chocolate Wars
The six-part series is produced by Fable P...
01/07/2026
UKTV has today announced the appointment of Matt Berry to the newly created role of General Manager - Marketing, effective 1 July.
Matt will take on this senio...
26/06/2026
Flicker Productions to produce five-part docu-reality series following women who have fallen for men in prison and have become TikTok sensations, with brands an...
24/06/2026
24th June 2026, London: Dara Briain will host brand new comedy entertainment series Dara's Dull Appreciation Society (4x40') celebrating members of th...
23/06/2026
23rd June 2026, London: UKTV and BBC Entertainment have unveiled a joint co-comm...
09/06/2026
Filming to take place in Holmfirth
9th June 2026, London: U&GOLD is heading bac...
02/06/2026
Praise for series three:
The Times - sun-dappled pleasure
The Daily Mail - The Homes Counties' Charlie's Angels
The Sun - 4* this [is an] enjoya...
29/05/2026
Youtube exclusive special drops today
Watch now
UKTV today announces another e...
19/05/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...
15/05/2026
The six-part series is a co-commission with BritBox and Sony Pictures Television...
14/05/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...
08/05/2026
Pete reunites with Dogs Trust for a fourth series and a two-part overseas special
London, Friday 8th May 2026: The award winning factual entertainment series P...
06/05/2026
UKTV has secured the exclusive rights to the early back catalogue of iconic Australian drama series Neighbours, following a landmark content deal with Fremantle...
29/04/2026
Rhod Gilbert, Harriet Kemsley, Kae Kurd, Sara Pascoe and Vicki Pattison to take part in brand new series on free streaming service U
Stream for free on U HERE
...
22/04/2026
Hit Point is now available to watch on U
U have unveiled exclusive first-look images for their six-part police thriller Hit Point, starring Nick Blood (Day of ...
22/04/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...
16/04/2026
Bookish is created, written by and starring Mark Gatiss, with series one available on Sky, Virgin Media and NOW
Praise for series one:
Daily Mail - 5****
The...
10/04/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...
01/04/2026
UKTV today announces that Jonathan Newman has formally stepped into the role of ...
17/03/2026
UKTV today announces the appointment of Sam Tewungwa as Chief Executive Officer, who will lead the company's next phase of growth.
Tewungwa, currently Mana...
11/03/2026
Following a successful first series, UKTV today announces the commission of two ...
09/03/2026
UKTV has agreed a new partnership deal with Samsung that makes UKTV's free linear channels available to internet-only Samsung TV viewers in the UK for the f...
26/02/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week's highlights include new episodes of Will and Ralf Should Know Better, The Marlow Murder Club...
24/02/2026
Paul C. Brunson: Red Flag to be produced by FirstLookTV and launch in 2026
UKTV...
19/02/2026
What can I watch on UK TV this week?What can I stream on U this week?
This guide highlights new and returning comedy, a critically acclaimed drama series avai...
13/02/2026
What can I watch on UKTV this week?What can I stream on U this week?
This guide highlights romantic dramas for Valentine's Day, alternative relationship t...
06/02/2026
What can I watch on TV in the UK this week? What can I watch on U&GOLD? What can I stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV, viewers can watch a range of new a...
05/02/2026
BBC Studios and UKTV have appointed Karin Marelle to lead their Global Acquisitions team, overseeing the sourcing of content across BBC Studios' global chan...
03/02/2026
Mel Giedroyc fronts brand new comedy entertainment format
3rd February 2026, London: U and U&Dave is set to launch brand-new escape room comedy entertainment s...
02/02/2026
Ahead of the hotly anticipated return of Bergerac to U and U&DRAMA in the Spring, a teaser has been released to give viewers a glimpse at what's in store in...
29/01/2026
New two-part true crime documentary, OUTBACK TERROR: THE FALCONIO MURDER, aims to shed new light on a case that continues to intrigue on both sides of the world...
26/01/2026
Bookish is created by and stars Mark Gatiss
Images available HERE
Following th...
15/01/2026
Views to free streaming service U grew by 15%, average monthly active users by 23% and registrations by 18%
UKTV's channels achieved record viewing share, ...