UKTV to launch three channels on Freesat

LONDON, 8-12-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — Multi-award-winning broadcaster UKTV will launch three channels on Freesat, marking the next step in its platform growth strategy. Yesterday, Drama and Really will be available to users of the subscription-free satellite TV service.

UKTV’s CEO Darren Childs said,

We work hard to secure platform deals that give more people our channels, and ultimately grow UKTV’s footprint. Freesat viewers will be able to watch gripping history shows on Yesterday, some of Britain’s finest, critically-acclaimed drama content on Drama, and unbelievable real life stories on Really. As UKTV continues to invest heavily in new shows, there’s never been a better time to have access to our channels.

Freesat marketing director, Paul Gilshan said,

We are thrilled to boost our offering with the launch of three new entertainment channels from UKTV. More than 200 free-to-air TV channels, and more than 60 entertainment channels, are available on Freesat, ensuring viewers are spoilt for choice, without the monthly costs.

The channels will launch on the service later this month. Their channel numbers will be: Drama – 162, Yesterday – 163 and Really – 164.

In December, viewers can enjoy channel premieres such as Call the Midwife (Drama), Louis Theroux: Behind Bars (Really) and Medieval Murder Mysteries (Yesterday), as well as epic films such as Captain Webb (Drama).

UKTV, which reaches more than 42 million viewers a month, reported record-breaking viewing figures and revenue in its most recent annual results. Really recently achieved its best ever share of viewing with a Most Haunted Live special on Halloween night.

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For more information contact:

Kerry Parker, Head of Network Communications

Lara Feinstein, Corporate Communications Executive

About UKTV
UKTV is the multi-award winning media company that reaches 42 million viewers a month.

UKTV’s eleven imaginative brands – UKTV Play, Dave, Watch, Gold, Alibi, Yesterday, Drama, Really, Home, Eden and Good Food – include the most popular non-PSB channel in the UK and account for 9% of the British commercial TV market. The company’s most recent financial results showed record-breaking year-end revenue of £283m and EBITDA of £74.1m. It invested £123m in programming and related launches last year, and is becoming an increasingly significant investor in UK creativity.

UKTV has a truly innovative model, curating brand-defining commissions, high-profile acquisitions and the very best of BBC, alongside programmes originally shown on ITV and Channel 4. The network embraces technology to deliver inspired channels to audiences through Freeview, Sky, Virgin Media, BT, TalkTalk, YouView and UKTV Play, and distributes its highly valued original programmes to 200 territories.

Now celebrating its 22nd year at the forefront of digital television, UKTV – an independent commercial joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (SNI) – is proud to be the only British television broadcaster to be recognised by Best Companies.

corporate.uktv.co.uk / press.uktv.co.uk / @uktv_press

About Freesat
Freesat is a subscription free satellite TV service offering more than 200 TV & radio channels and 9 interactive services, including 11 in HD, to everyone in the UK. Freesat’s award-winning Freetime service, available on TVs and set top boxes, includes smart features such as pause, rewind and record, a roll back TV guide for the past seven days of programming and a range of catch up players including BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, All4, Demand 5, YouTube and BBC News & Sport Apps. The popular Freesat App, available on iOS, Android and Kindle Fire, can be used as a TV guide and remote control, enabling viewers to browse shows and record remotely.

Freesat is a joint venture between ITV and the BBC. For more information, please visit www.freesat.co.uk, check out our page on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE: UKTV