Jump to content

U (UK streaming service)

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from U (UK Streaming Service))
For the Northern Irish TV Channel, see UTV (TV channel).

U
Other namesUKTV Play (2014-2024)
Original author(s)UKTV
Developer(s)UKTV
Initial release4 August 2014; 9 years ago (2014-08-04)
Operating systemWindows, OS X
PlatformiOS, Android, YouView, Virgin Media, Now
Available inEnglish
Websiteu.co.uk

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]

History[edit]

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 1 July 2024.[11]

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. ^ [1]
  9. ^ Broadband TV News, 2023-08-23
  10. ^ Middleton, Richard (29 November 2023). "UKTV channels and streaming service to rebrand under new banner U". Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  11. ^ Kasule, Melissa (6 June 2024). "UKTV to launch masterbrand U on July 16". Retrieved 12 June 2024.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=U_(UK_streaming_service)&oldid=1234856535"