UK homes will notice a big change next month with the popular UKTV channels all getting new names. The update – which will affect Sky, Freeview and those who watch via the app and website – is switching things up with all services provided by the platform now getting the new U branding.
This means that starting in July, you’ll see the channels U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&YESTERDAY and U&W all appearing in your TV planner.
The UKTV website will also change to the letter U with the update aimed at making things more streamlined and easier for consumers to understand.
Along with the name changes, U is also promising nearly 8,500 hours of on-demand content will be made available, that’s a boost of almost 1,500 hours from before.
As well as changing things up on Freeview and Sky, those who tune in via Samsung TVs, the Freevee app on Fire devices and the Pluto TV platform will also notice a difference.
Last year, UKTV announced the launch of four Free Ad-supported Streaming TV (FAST) on these platforms and all are getting that U branding as well.
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.
“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,” said Penny Brough, Chief Marketing Officer, UKTV.
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 can’t 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.”