U (streaming service)

Video-on-demand service owned by UKTV

For the Northern Irish TV Channel, see UTV (TV channel).

Logo used since 2024

Other names| UKTV Play (2014–2024)
Original author(s)| UKTV
Initial release| 4 August 2014; 11 years ago (2014-08-04)
Platform| iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, YouView, Virgin Media, Now
Available in| English
Website| u.co.uk

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

## History

[edit]

UKTV Play was first announced in June 2014.[2] Prior to its launch, each UKTV channel had their own on-demand services.

UKTV Play launched on iOS in August, on PC, YouView and Virgin Media in November[3] and on Android in February 2015.[4] The service would then launch on Freeview Play in August 2016,[5] on Roku and Sky UK's Now in February 2018,[6] and on Freesat and Samsung smart TVs in September 2018.[7]

Following the relaunch of W as a free-to-air service, the channel's shows became available to watch for free on UKTV Play.[citation needed]

### Rebrand to U

[edit]

In November 2023, UKTV announced that UKTV Play would be renamed as U, as part of the unification of UKTV's channels and service under the new masterbrand.[8] UKTV Play rebranded as U on 16 July 2024.[9]

## References

[edit]

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. ^ Middleton, Richard (29 November 2023). "UKTV channels and streaming service to rebrand under new banner U". Retrieved 12 June 2024.
9. ^ Kasule, Melissa (6 June 2024). "UKTV to launch masterbrand U on July 16". Retrieved 12 June 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website

Links to related articles

* v
* t
* e

UKTV

* Timeline of UKTV

TV channels|

* U&Alibi
* U&Dave
* U&Drama
* U&Gold
* U&Eden
* U&W
* U&Yesterday

Former channels|

* Blighty
* CCXTV
* Play UK
* UKTV Bright Ideas
* UKTV Gardens
* UK Horizons

Divested channels|

* Good Food
* Home
* Really

Streaming services|

* U

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UK-based TV on demand

Current|

| Network-specific|

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|

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|

Compact|

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Middle-market|

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stations|

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Regional
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Cymru 2

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Television in the UK

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channels
(list)|

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BBC One
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CBBC
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U&Alibi
U&Dave
U&Drama
U&Eden
U&Gold
U&W
U&Yesterday

|

ITV|

ITV1/STV/UTV
ITV2
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Channel 4/S4C|

Channel 4
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4seven

Paramount|

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Sky UK|

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Warner Bros. Discovery|

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Really
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Narrative Entertainment UK Limited|

Great! Action
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Pop
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Services
and
platforms|

| Current|

* Amazon Prime Video
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|

Defunct|

* analogue
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Studios|

| Current|

* 3 Mills Studios
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* Dock10
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* The Sharp Project
* Sky Campus
* Space Studios Manchester
* Television Centre, London

|

Defunct|

* Broadcasting House, Cardiff
* Dickenson Road Studios
* Fountain Studios
* The Hospital Club
* Lime Grove Studios
* Limehouse Studios
* The London Studios
* MGM-British Studios
* New Broadcasting House, Manchester
* Pebble Mill Studios
* Teddington Studios
* Television Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne
* Television Centre, Southampton
* Upper Boat Studios

Other|

* Television in Northern Ireland
* in Scotland
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* History
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Companies and organisations

| Major
companies|

* Banijay UK Productions
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* BBC
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* Daily Mail and General Trust
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* Economist Group
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|

Resources|

* Arqiva
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Government and
regulatory bodies|

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Industry and
trades bodies|

* British Academy of Film and Television Arts
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Other|

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Regional and student media

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|

Student media|

* Student television
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* Category

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