UKTV today announces the appointment of Sam Tewungwa as Chief Executive Officer, who will lead the company's next phase of growth.
Tewungwa, currently Managing Director of UKTV, will take responsibility for the overall strategic direction and performance of the business. He will lead UKTV's continued growth across its portfolio of channels and its free streaming service, U, with a focus on strengthening partnerships to increase the scale, reach and distribution of the company's brands and services.
Marcus Arthur, CEO, BBC Studios - Global Channels & Streaming, said: Sam has a deep understanding of UKTV's business. His commercial instinct, strategic clarity and ability to bring teams together consistently drive results. He anticipates both challenges and opportunities and has a clear view of where we are strong, where we are evolving and where we need to push harder. This is absolutely the right leadership decision for the next phase of UKTV's growth.
Sam Tewungwa said: I'm honoured to be taking on the role of UKTV's next CEO. While there are clear challenges across the market, I am optimistic about the future of our industry and the role UKTV can play within it. We have an exceptional team, much-loved brands, and a culture that is the envy of many across the sector. As part of the BBC Group, we benefit from real scale, ambition and opportunity. I'm confident UKTV will continue to flourish and grow, and I'm excited about what we will achieve together.
Tewungwa joined BBC Studios in 2013 as Commercial Director for TV Sales before moving into a broader commercial role. He played an integral role in the acquisition of UKTV by BBC Studios following the demerger of the Discovery joint venture. In 2019, he joined the UKTV Board as Chief Commercial Officer, and in 2023 was appointed Managing Director.
During his time at UKTV, Tewungwa has played a pivotal role in securing and strengthening key partnership and distribution agreements, including major carriage deals for U with Channel 4, Sky and Virgin. He has also led the renegotiation of significant advertising sales agreements and overseen the company's digital transformation.
Tewungwa's appointment follows the expansion of the remit of current UKTV CEO Marcus Arthur, who now leads a global portfolio with responsibility for all BBC Studios global channels and streaming services outside of the United States. Tewungwa will report to Arthur and takes up the role of Chief Executive Officer on 1 April 2026.
-ENDS-
For further information please contact:
Kerry Goode, Director of Communications, UKTV
Kerry.goode@uktv.co.uk
Rebecca Ferris, Corporate Communications Manager, UKTV
Rebecca.ferris@uktv.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, U&GOLD, U&alibi and U&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, Freesat and Freely; 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.
corporate.uktv.co.uk | press.uktv.co.uk | @uktvpress
About BBC Studios
The main commercial arm of BBC Commercial Ltd, BBC Studios generated revenues in the last year of £1.8 billion and a third consecutive year of profits of over £200 million. Able to take an idea seamlessly from thought to screen and beyond, the business is built on two operating areas: the Content Studio, which produces, invests and distributes content globally and Media & Streaming, with BBC branded channels, services including bbc.com and BritBox International and joint ventures in the UK and internationally. The business made more than 2,800 hours of award-winning British programmes last year for a wide selection of public service and commercial broadcasters and platforms, both in the UK and across the globe. Its content is internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms, and includes world-famous brands like Strictly Come Dancing/Dancing with the Stars, the Planet series, Bluey and Doctor Who.
BBC Studios | Website | Press Office | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram |
More from UKTV
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, ...
06/01/2026
Channel 4 and UKTV are giving viewers even more reasons to stream, with UKTV's U service set to feature thousands of hours of free, unmissable and bingeable...
15/12/2025
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor finds himself the topic of year's cracker jokes
Oasis, David Harbour, Celebrity Traitors and Angela Rayner all feature in this y...
25/11/2025
UKTV has acquired a high-profile slate of US dramas from Paramount Global Conten...
04/11/2025
Damien Moloney as Jim Bergerac
As filming wraps on the highly anticipated second series of Bergerac (6x60'), UKTV today unveils a selection of first look i...
30/10/2025
TIS THE SEASON TO GET PUNNY!
U&GOLD LAUNCHES ITS ANNUAL SEARCH FOR THE UK'S...
23/10/2025
The 90-minute film is produced by Rogan Scotland, part of BAFTA-winning Rogan Pr...
16/10/2025
TV's most charming detective drama * Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investi...
15/10/2025
Sheldon Nichols and Will Trickett to find and prepare more classic cars for budget conscious would-be owners from Wiser Films
UKTV have recommissioned the clas...
14/10/2025
Joe Wilkinson and David Earl will explore their favourite sitcoms together with help from stars such as Ricky Gervais
14th October, London: Comedians, writers,...
13/10/2025
Nick Blood and Saffron Hocking lead casting for Hit Point, brand new original drama series for U and U&Dave
Developed & Produced by Urban Myth Films (a STUDIOC...
09/10/2025
Channel 4 and UKTV announce ground-breaking deal to carry UKTV's U service o...
09/10/2025
U to host Clash of the Comics
First ever UK television screening for sellout live event
9th October 2025, London: Clash of the Comics, the wild, unpredictable...
29/09/2025
(L-R) Cara Horgan as Becks Starling, Samantha Bond as Judith Potts, Natalie Dew ...
12/09/2025
Feature-length retrospective from Studio Crook to air in 2026
Sir David Jason returns to the nation's favourite comedy channel, U&GOLD, for Open All Hours:...
11/09/2025
UKTV's free streaming service U launches on Sky Q
Free streaming service U has launched on Sky Q in the UK, UKTV and Sky confirm today, expanding the footp...
03/09/2025
Bookish is created, written by and starring Mark Gatiss
The Guardian - An arch...
28/08/2025
UKTV has acquired the UK premiere of Art Detectives, the compelling new crime an...
20/08/2025
U&Dave today announces its first ever original drama series, Hit Point (6x60'), which will also be available to stream on U. Written by BAFTA-winner Howard ...
13/08/2025
TV's most likeable proper bloke returns to tackle more demanding and dangerous trades in a new series of Guy Martin: Proper Jobs for U and U&Dave
UKTV is ...
04/08/2025
UKTV has commissioned a new series of Canal Boat Diaries (10x60) for its free streaming service U and leading factual channel U&YESTERDAY, under licence from th...
31/07/2025
Record recommission will take show past 200 episodes and into 2028. Spin-off, Ba...
29/07/2025
Filming is now underway with Damien Molony and wider cast returning to Jersey for Bergerac, written by Toby Whithouse alongside Ashley Sanders, Emilie Robson an...
23/07/2025
UKTV today announces that senior executives Steve North and Hilary Rosen will be handed expanded remits to take on greater responsibility for channels and conte...
15/07/2025
U&GOLD has acquired the broadcast rights for Fawlty Towers: The Play (1x120'). Recorded during the show's run at the West End with its original cast, Fa...
08/07/2025
UKTV today announces that Richard Watsham, Chief Creative Officer at UKTV and Global Director of Acquisitions for BBC Studios/UKTV, has decided to step down fro...
02/07/2025
Brand new factual series follows mechanic and self-taught engineer Dom Chinea as he makes the move of his life to the far west of Cornwall
UKTV today announces...
26/06/2025
UKTV and Talented People are delighted to announce the renewal of their successf...
24/06/2025
The promo for U&alibis brand-new drama, Bookish (6x70) has been released, ahead of the series being available on the specialist crime-drama channel from 16th Ju...
17/06/2025
London - Tuesday 17 June 2025: It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we share the news that Melanie Rumani has passed away after a long battle with cancer. ...
06/06/2025
Stacey Dooley MBE is returning to the UK for her latest instalment of Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over(3x60') on U and U&W. Across three episodes, Stacey will meet...
29/05/2025
Fifty years ago, The Good Life made its debut. Now, the nation's favourite c...
20/05/2025
Praise for series two:
Daily Mail - 5* It's a murder mystery masterclass
Heat - 4* Marlow's giving Midsomer a run for its murder money
Daily Tele...
16/05/2025
UKTV today announces the re-commission of Bookish (6x70') for specialist cri...
13/05/2025
London, 13th May 2025: Iconic fashion brand Ghost is launching a 30-piece curate...
08/05/2025
Comedy and entertainment channel U&Dave bring back their #1 ranked programme of ...
UKTV today announces the appointment of Sam Tewungwa as Chief Executive Officer, who will lead the company's next phase of growth.
