New TV channel, which made its debut on Freeview, Freesat and Sky less than two weeks ago, disappoints soap and sci-fi fans as channel axes its much publicised launch line-up.
- That’s TV2 abruptly drops showings of Home and Away after just 18 episodes.
- Replacement shows duplicate programmes on existing That’s TV channel.
With a schedule only confirmed less than 24 hours before appearing on TV screens, That’s TV2 launched on Wednesday 3rd January.
The channel grabbed the headlines by promising viewers a chance to watch the very first episodes of Home and Away, alongside a chance to watch re-runs of Channel 4’s sci-fi drama Humans, plus Prisoner: Cell Block H and Baywatch.
But after nine evenings and just 18 episodes, and no sign of the extended 90 minute pilot, That’s TV2 abruptly concluded its re-run of Home and Away, with last Thursday night’s episodes the final to air on the channel.
It’s come as a great disappointment to fans attracted to the channel by its pre-launch publicity, who have taken to social media to query the sudden disappearance.
At the same time, primetime re-runs of Channel 4 sci-fi drama Humans were shunted to a post-midnight slot on the channel, with viewers complaining on social media that the episodes were ‘mixed up’ in order.
In their place, That’s TV2 is showing classic shows including Fresh Fields, Never The Twain, Bread Little Britain and Steptoe & Son. The latter three are also showing on the original That’s TV channel, with episodes currently showing on That’s TV2 a day later.
That’s TV hasn’t responded to queries regarding the axing of Home and Away just 18 episodes into the 200 episodes of series one, nor why it moved Humans to its graveyard slot. Of the original launch line-up, only Baywatch and Prisoner: Cell Block H still remain in their original timeslots.
Alternatives
Fortunately, for soap fans, both season 1 and season 2 of Home and Away are available to watch on Prime Video, free for viewers who already have Amazon Prime.
Humans is available on-demand via Channel 4 Streaming.
At the time of publication, That’s TV2 is only advertising Prisoner and Baywatch until Sunday. Its schedule for next week on the Freeview EPG currently omits both programmes, although That’s TV is known for late confirmation of its final schedules, which means its programmes don’t feature in the main listings magazines.
Meanwhile this weekend, That’s TV2 picks up the Australian version of game show Would I Lie To You? This is the first time it’s been shown on a UK channel.
That’s TV 2 broadcasts on Freeview channel 65, Freesat channel 181 and Sky (satellite only) channel 188.
Marc Thornham