U (streaming service)

Last updated

U
Other namesUKTV Play (2014–2024)
Original author(s) UKTV
Developer(s) UKTV
Initial release4 August 2014;9 years ago (2014-08-04)
Operating system Windows, OS X
Platform iOS, Android, YouView, Virgin Media, Now
Available inEnglish
Website u.co.uk

U (formerly known as UKTV Play) is a video on demand service owned by UKTV, a subsidiary of BBC Studios. The service launched on 4 August 2014 and offers catch-up programming from UKTV's free-to-air channels, which include U&Dave, U&Drama, U&W and U&Yesterday. [1]

Contents

History

In 2013, prior to the launch of UKTV Play, each channel had their own on-demand services such as Alibi OD, Dave OD, GOLD OD, Good Food OD, Home OD and Watch OD.

UKTV Play was first announced in June 2014. [2] The service first launched on iOS in August, on PC, YouView and Virgin Media in November [3] and on Android in February 2015. [4] In addition, it launched on Freeview Play in August 2016, [5] on Roku and Now in February 2018, [6] and on Freesat and Samsung smart TVs in September 2018. [7]

Following the addition of W to UKTV's free-to-air packages, the shows from the channel became available to watch for free on UKTV Play.

Since 2019, the UKTV brand is fully owned by BBC Studios. [8]

In August 2023, UKTV launched four FAST channels utilising the UKTV Play brand and content on platforms including Samsung TV Plus and Pluto TV. [9]

In November 2023, UKTV announced that UKTV Play would be renamed to U as part of UKTV unifying their channels and service under the masterbrand of the same name. [10] UKTV Play rebranded to U on 16 July 2024. [11]

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References

  1. Finbow, Katy (31 March 2015). "Drama channel launches on UKTV Play on-demand service". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  2. Alexander, Susannah (23 June 2014). "UKTV launching first interactive digital service UKTV Play". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  3. Barker, John (21 November 2014). "UKTV Play arrives on YouView and PC". Broadband Choices. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  4. "UKTV Play app launches on Android". Digital TV Europe. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  5. "UKTV Play launches on Freeview Play | Freeview". www.freeview.co.uk. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  6. "UKTV Play launches on NOW TV and Roku streaming players | News | UKTV Corporate Site". corporate.uktv.co.uk. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  7. "UKTV Play launches on Freesat | News | UKTV Corporate Site". corporate.uktv.co.uk. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  8. Broadband TV News, 2023-08-23
  9. Middleton, Richard (29 November 2023). "UKTV channels and streaming service to rebrand under new banner U" . Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  10. Kasule, Melissa (6 June 2024). "UKTV to launch masterbrand U on July 16" . Retrieved 12 June 2024.