U is intended to bring UKTV’s terrestrial channels and streaming services together under one banner. The streaming platform UKTV Play will be rebranded as U, while UKTV’s terrestrial channels will now be known as U&Drama, U&Dave, U&Yesterday and U&W.

Streaming platform U will have almost 8,500 hours of content, an increase of nearly 1,500 hours from the start of 2024.

Amongst the new programmes due to arrive around the time of launch is Battle of the Box. A gameshow hosted by Jimmy Carr (8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown), the show will be available on U and air on U&Dave. A second series of Whitstable Pearl – a crime drama by Kerry Godliman (Live at the Apollo) – will be coming to U&Drama for a second series. All episodes will be available on U from the day of release.

The first seven series of Sons of Anarchy will also be available on U, before airing on U&Dave later on in 2024. U&Dave will also play host to the UK premiere of Orlando Bloom: To The Edge, which follows the Hollywood actor as he tries three different extreme sports. The show will also be available on U, prior to its terrestrial debut.

“The launch of U on 16 July is an important step for UKTV, defining our age of transformation,” said Penny Brough, UKTV’s chief marketing officer. “U will present our viewers with an extraordinary range of free quality content, allowing them to connect the dots between the streaming service and our family of TV channels.”

“U will be home to […] new programming, exclusive shows, award-winning originals and premiere acquisitions,” said Andrea Amey, UKTV’s chief digital officer. “We can't wait to give our viewers even more choice and a service that is easy to navigate, so they can enjoy our free and varied offering.”