![]() Logo used since 2024 | |
Other names | UKTV Play (2014–2024) |
---|---|
Original author(s) | UKTV |
Developer(s) | UKTV |
Initial release | 4 August 2014 |
Operating system | Windows, OS X |
Platform | iOS, Android, YouView, Virgin Media, Now |
Available in | English |
Website | u |
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]
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]
Freeview is the United Kingdom's sole digital terrestrial television platform. It is operated by Everyone TV and DTV Services Ltd, a joint venture between the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Sky. It was launched on 30 October 2002, taking over the licence from ITV Digital which collapsed that year. The service provides consumer access via an aerial to the seven DTT multiplexes covering the United Kingdom. As of July 2020, it has 85 TV channels, 26 digital radio channels, 10 HD channels, six text services, 11 streamed channels, and one interactive channel.
UKTV Media Limited, trading as UKTV, is a British multi-channel broadcaster, which, since 2019, has been wholly owned by BBC Studios, a commercial subsidiary of the BBC. It was formed on 1 November 1992 through a joint venture between the BBC and Thames Television. It is one of the United Kingdom's largest television companies.
U&Yesterday is a British free-to-air television channel broadcasting in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It launched on 30 October 2002 as UK History and relaunched in its current format on 2 March 2009. It is available on satellite through Sky, Freesat and through the digital terrestrial provider Freeview. Hours on Freeview had previously been cut, with transmissions finishing at 6 pm, but were restored on 1 June 2010.
U&Dave is a British free-to-air television channel owned by UKTV, a subsidiary of BBC Studios. It broadcasts mainly comedy, with some factual programming. The channel took the name Dave on 15 October 2007, but it had been on air under various identities and formats since October 1998.
Challenge is a British free-to-air television channel owned by Sky Group's Sky UK subsidiary, themselves owned by American conglomerate Comcast. The channel is dedicated to game shows from the UK, including acquired classic and contemporary shows.
BBC iPlayer is a video on demand service from the BBC. The service is available on a wide range of devices, including mobile phones and tablets, personal computers and smart televisions. iPlayer services delivered to UK-based viewers feature no commercial advertising. The terms BBC iPlayer, iPlayer, and BBC Media Player refer to various methods of viewing or listening to the same content. To use the service, a valid TV Licence is required by law.
Freesat is a British free-to-air satellite television service, first formed as a joint venture between the BBC and ITV plc and now owned by Everyone TV. The service was formed as a memorandum in 2007 and has been marketed since 6 May 2008. Freesat offers a satellite alternative to the Freeview service on digital terrestrial television, with a broadly similar selection of channels available without subscription for users purchasing a receiver.
Now is a subscription over-the-top internet television service operated by British satellite television provider Sky Group. Launched in the United Kingdom in 2012, the service is also available in Ireland, Italy, Germany, and the United States.
Everyone TV Limited is a British television communications company owned by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 that supports Freely (IPTV), Freeview (terrestrial) and Freesat (satellite) viewers and channels. It provides information about receiving terrestrial TV and advice on reception and equipment. The company also handles day-to-day technical management of the Freeview Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), allocates channel numbers and manages the launch of new services and multiplexes onto the platform. Everyone TV has been licensed by Ofcom as an EPG provider.
My5 is the brand name of video-on-demand services offered by Channel 5 in the United Kingdom. The service went live on 26 June 2008. It is owned by Paramount Global and operated by their Paramount Networks UK & Australia division.
There are four major forms of digital television (DTV) broadcast in the United Kingdom: a direct-to-home satellite service from the Astra 28.2°E satellites provided by Sky UK, a cable television service provided by Virgin Media ; a free-to-air satellite service called Freesat; and a free-to-air digital terrestrial service called Freeview. In addition, an IPTV system known as BT TV is provided by BT. Individual access methods vary throughout the country. 77% of the United Kingdom has access to HDTV via terrestrial digital television. Satellite is the only source of HDTV broadcast available for the remaining 23%.
High-definition television in the United Kingdom is available via cable, IPTV, satellite and terrestrial television. The first high-definition broadcasts began in late 2005 and since then the number of channels available to view has grown to a maximum of 87 that can be viewed on pay-TV service, Sky.
U&W is a British free-to-air television channel owned by UKTV, a subsidiary of BBC Studios. It originally launched on 7 October 2008 as Watch and until 2022 was a pay television channel. From 15 February 2016 to 16 July 2024, the channel was known as W.
ITVX is a British ad-supported video-on-demand streaming service operated by ITV. The service offers original content from the broadcaster, as well as some exclusive and licensed programming.
Great! Movies is a British free-to-air television channel owned by Narrative Entertainment UK Limited that broadcasts across the UK and Ireland showing films and related content. The channel is transmitted on most of the major broadcast platforms in the UK - terrestrial, satellite and cable. The channel is only broadcast in standard-definition.
HBO Go is an authenticated video-on-demand streaming system of the pay television service HBO, now serving only the Southeast Asian region at least until late 2024. The service previously allowed only subscribers to HBO via television providers to access its on-demand programming via the HBO website, mobile apps, and digital media players, among other devices.
Vision TV Network is a television channel distribution service provided by Vision247 Ltd in the United Kingdom. The service carries around 35 channels in English and other languages, streamed from the internet and accessed via Freeview channel 264, EE TV boxes, mobile apps or the web.
TVPlayer is a United Kingdom Internet television service owned by international digital distribution company Alchimie. It provides access to free live television channel streams using a web browser or application software made for mobile devices.
This is a timeline of UKTV, a television company that broadcasts seven television channels in the United Kingdom.