UKTV to launch Dave+1 on Freeview
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UKTV has acquired an additional channel slot on the DTT platform Freeview from multiplex operator Arqiva.
UKTV will use Freeview channel 25 to further extend the reach of its multi-award winning brand, Dave – the home of witty banter, by launching Dave+1. This time shift channel is already available on both Sky and Virgin Cable and it will go live on Freeview from 14:00 on Thursday 22nd January 2009, airing daily from 08:00 to 04:00. The channel opening has become available as a result of improvements in compression technology and will be in addition to existing services currently on the two Freeview multiplexes licensed by Arqiva.
UKTV’s Executive Director, Business & Operations, Julia Jordan comments, “Dave is a key part of our highly successful entertainment portfolio that has recently been re-branded and re-positioned to provide even clearer propositions to viewers and advertisers. Adding Dave+1 to Freeview will further extend the valuable 16-44Men reach of the channel and will also continue to provide a strong platform to promote to our line-up of channels that are available on platforms such as Sky and Virgin Media.”
UKTV’s Director of Entertainment Christian Drobnyk says, “By rebranding Dave and making it available in Freeview homes, we catapulted it up the channel ratings table to become a permanent top 10 fixture. Launching this +1 service on Freeview is all about capitalising on this success to bolster the Dave franchise further.”
Since re-launching as the home of witty banter in October 2007, Dave has grown exponentially to become the 10th biggest channel in multi-channel homes (from 29th as UKTV G2), bringing 8 million new viewers to the UKTV network. During this time it has also garnered industry-wide recognition, winning numerous high profile industry awards and accolades including Campaign’s Medium of the Year 2008, a Gold IPA Effectiveness Award 2008 and a MEGA for Launch of the Year 2008.
During this time, Dave has also reinforced its reputation as a commissioner of original content with a raft of successful new series, including Liberty Bell’s Batteries Not Included (with John Cleese and Dom Joly) and Tiger Aspects’ Argumental (hosted by John Sergeant, with Marcus Brigstocke and Rufus Hound as team captains) which has just been re-commissioned for a second series. To date, Argumental has increased the channel’s peaktime slot average by 12% (peaking at 418,000 individuals) and has been described in the press as “a witty celebration of the art of argument” (Telegraph) and “a commendably sharp-witted new panel show with a strong concept” (Daily Mail). So far, the first 10 x 40’ series has been watched by 5,231,000 individuals with three more episodes still to premiere. Dave’s first foray into exclusive online commissioning – the Dave Weekly Vodcast – is currently Number 1 in the iTunes TV and Video Podcast Chart.
Dave’s Channel Head Steve North adds, “As a brand, Dave is going from strength to strength and we’re looking forward to reaching more viewers with the launch of this new +1 service on Freeview.”
Following the successful launch of its entertainment line-up as GOLD, Watch and Alibi in October 2008, UKTV continues its network rebrand to future proof its business with the re-launch of UKTV Documentary, UKTV People and UKTV History as Eden, Blighty and Yesterday in the first quarter of this year. The final phase of this ambitious rebrand to create a portfolio of multi-platform brands will be completed in Q2 with the re-launch of UKTV’s three lifestyle offerings.
Notes to Editors
About UKTV (www.uktv.co.uk)
Formed in 1997, UKTV is an independent commercial joint venture, between BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, and Virgin Media. Attracting 34 million viewers each month, the network consists of 10 distinctive TV channels – Watch, G.O.L.D., Dave, Alibi, UKTV Style, Good Food Channel, UKTV Gardens, UKTV History, UKTV Documentary and UKTV People – offering a broad range of quality programming across entertainment, lifestyle and factual programming. UKTV currently operates 18 broadcast streams when multiplexes (+1s) and broadband are taken into account, and 11 highly successful websites.
Promising to creatively connect its audiences with great programming, UKTV’s successful programming strategy combines quality content from the BBC with high profile original commissions and key acquisitions. All UKTV channels are distributed on Sky and Virgin Media. Dave and UKTV History are also available on Freeview.
For more information, please contact:-
Rebecca Edwards, Senior Corporate Communications Manager, UKTV
020 7299 6261 / 07974 985 453 / Rebecca.edwards@uktv.co.uk
UKTV will use Freeview channel 25 to further extend the reach of its multi-award winning brand, Dave – the home of witty banter, by launching Dave+1. This time shift channel is already available on both Sky and Virgin Cable and it will go live on Freeview from 14:00 on Thursday 22nd January 2009, airing daily from 08:00 to 04:00. The channel opening has become available as a result of improvements in compression technology and will be in addition to existing services currently on the two Freeview multiplexes licensed by Arqiva.
UKTV’s Executive Director, Business & Operations, Julia Jordan comments, “Dave is a key part of our highly successful entertainment portfolio that has recently been re-branded and re-positioned to provide even clearer propositions to viewers and advertisers. Adding Dave+1 to Freeview will further extend the valuable 16-44Men reach of the channel and will also continue to provide a strong platform to promote to our line-up of channels that are available on platforms such as Sky and Virgin Media.”
UKTV’s Director of Entertainment Christian Drobnyk says, “By rebranding Dave and making it available in Freeview homes, we catapulted it up the channel ratings table to become a permanent top 10 fixture. Launching this +1 service on Freeview is all about capitalising on this success to bolster the Dave franchise further.”
Since re-launching as the home of witty banter in October 2007, Dave has grown exponentially to become the 10th biggest channel in multi-channel homes (from 29th as UKTV G2), bringing 8 million new viewers to the UKTV network. During this time it has also garnered industry-wide recognition, winning numerous high profile industry awards and accolades including Campaign’s Medium of the Year 2008, a Gold IPA Effectiveness Award 2008 and a MEGA for Launch of the Year 2008.
During this time, Dave has also reinforced its reputation as a commissioner of original content with a raft of successful new series, including Liberty Bell’s Batteries Not Included (with John Cleese and Dom Joly) and Tiger Aspects’ Argumental (hosted by John Sergeant, with Marcus Brigstocke and Rufus Hound as team captains) which has just been re-commissioned for a second series. To date, Argumental has increased the channel’s peaktime slot average by 12% (peaking at 418,000 individuals) and has been described in the press as “a witty celebration of the art of argument” (Telegraph) and “a commendably sharp-witted new panel show with a strong concept” (Daily Mail). So far, the first 10 x 40’ series has been watched by 5,231,000 individuals with three more episodes still to premiere. Dave’s first foray into exclusive online commissioning – the Dave Weekly Vodcast – is currently Number 1 in the iTunes TV and Video Podcast Chart.
Dave’s Channel Head Steve North adds, “As a brand, Dave is going from strength to strength and we’re looking forward to reaching more viewers with the launch of this new +1 service on Freeview.”
Following the successful launch of its entertainment line-up as GOLD, Watch and Alibi in October 2008, UKTV continues its network rebrand to future proof its business with the re-launch of UKTV Documentary, UKTV People and UKTV History as Eden, Blighty and Yesterday in the first quarter of this year. The final phase of this ambitious rebrand to create a portfolio of multi-platform brands will be completed in Q2 with the re-launch of UKTV’s three lifestyle offerings.
Notes to Editors
About UKTV (www.uktv.co.uk)
Formed in 1997, UKTV is an independent commercial joint venture, between BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC, and Virgin Media. Attracting 34 million viewers each month, the network consists of 10 distinctive TV channels – Watch, G.O.L.D., Dave, Alibi, UKTV Style, Good Food Channel, UKTV Gardens, UKTV History, UKTV Documentary and UKTV People – offering a broad range of quality programming across entertainment, lifestyle and factual programming. UKTV currently operates 18 broadcast streams when multiplexes (+1s) and broadband are taken into account, and 11 highly successful websites.
Promising to creatively connect its audiences with great programming, UKTV’s successful programming strategy combines quality content from the BBC with high profile original commissions and key acquisitions. All UKTV channels are distributed on Sky and Virgin Media. Dave and UKTV History are also available on Freeview.
For more information, please contact:-
Rebecca Edwards, Senior Corporate Communications Manager, UKTV
020 7299 6261 / 07974 985 453 / Rebecca.edwards@uktv.co.uk
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