UKTV to Launch On-Demand Players for VOD Services

LONDON -- UKTV, the independent television network co-owned by BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks International, is to launch bespoke VOD services for its three free-to-air channels, Dave, Yesterday and Really.

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The move means shows such as Red Dwarf X, Suits and Dara O’Briain: School of Hard Sums on Dave, Museum Secrets, Mafia’s Greatest Hits and Fight Club: A History of Violence on Yesterday and Hart of Dixie and Embarrassing Bodies on Really will be part of the VOD lineup.

UKTV’s curated services will provide access to a mixture of catch up and archive programming that can be viewed via the network’s branded channel websites.

The news follows UKTV’s recent video on demand agreements with TalkTalk, BT Vision and Sky Anytime.

UKTV also remains the number one provider of HD channels to satellite broadcaster BSkyB in the U.K.

UKTV CEO Darren Childs said: "UKTV is investing more money in content than ever before and it is important we are servicing our viewers by enabling them to access Dave, Yesterday and Really directly for the very first time, through our On Demand Players - three vibrant and curated, direct to viewer, player services."

The players and VOD will be available from early October this year.