U, formerly known as UKTV Play, launches on Sky Glass and Stream as part of a new deal between UKTV and Sky.
- Deal also retains Alibi and Gold TV channels on Sky’s TV services, including NOW.
- 8,500 hours of content available to Sky Glass and Sky Stream users through the U app.
Sky and UKTV have announced a multi-year extension to their long-standing partnership that’s been in place since the 1990s.
The terms of the deal ensures crime drama channel Alibi and comedy channel Gold remain on Sky’s pay TV services, plus budget streaming service NOW, in both the UK and Republic of Ireland.
The agreement means Sky and NOW customers will continue to enjoy popular programming from UKTV including Murdoch Mysteries, The Red King and CSI: Vegas, comedy in the form of Only Fools And Horses, Dad’s Army and The Vicar of Dibley. Additionally, entertainment shows World’s Most Dangerous Roads, Battle In The Box, and upcoming documentary Absolutely Fabulous: Inside Out will be available on both linear channels and on-demand.
UKTV’s free-to-air channels, which include U&Dave, U&Drama and U&Yesterday will also remain available as linear channels on Sky’s satellite and internet streaming services.
UKTV’s origins date back to 1992 when UK Gold launched. In 1997, UKTV launched a multi-channel offer, which back then was exclusive to pay TV platforms including Sky.
‘U’ on Sky Glass and Sky Stream
For the first time, Sky and UKTV have agreed terms for UKTV’s streaming service in addition to carriage of linear channels.
UKTV’s streaming service U (formerly UKTV Play) becomes available on Sky Glass and Sky Stream devices in the UK. U is not available in the Republic of Ireland.
U offers on-demand shows from U&Dave, U&Drama, U&W, U&Yesterday. From later this autumn, content from the re-launched U&Eden will appear on the service, as the channel transitions to Freeview.
In total, viewers will have access to nearly 8,500 hours of content on-demand through the U app.
Corporate comment
Jon Simkin, Managing Director, Content Partnerships, Sky, commented:
“We are thrilled to extend out partnership with UKTV. UKTV’s distinctive content across channels such as Alibi and Gold is loved by Sky customers. This agreement reinforces our commitment to providing the best entertainment experience to our customers across the UK and Ireland.“
Sam Tewungwa, Managing Director, UKTV, said:
“We’ve enjoyed a fruitful relationship with Sky over a number of years and we are delighted to be extending our partnership so that Sky customers can continue to enjoy the rich mix of content that UKTV has to offer.“
By: Marc Thornham | Image: UKTV