UKTV

Dave releases spoof lecture series

Phil Wang, UKTV, Dave

The series satirises the globally popular TED talks as the speakers earnestly and seriously deliver a short, silly lecture on variety of topics including ‘People Are Not A Fruit’, ‘Unlocking The Power of Emojis’ and ‘How To Turn Around, All The Way Around In A Circle’.

Written and performed by eight comedians, including two Fosters Edinburgh Comedy Award winners, the Dave TALKS series carries the tagline ‘Ideas No One Needs.'

Dave secures 'Haye Day' fight live at the O2

The channel previously screened David 'The Hayemaker' Hayes' memorable return to the ring after a three and a half year break. In January, 3.2 million viewers tuned in to watch Haye knockout Mark de Mori in two minutes.

Dave is now preparing to air Hayes' match against Swiss fighter Arnold 'The Cobra' Gjergjaj from the O2 arena in London, for the next Haye Day event.

UKTV earnings reach double digits

Darren Childs UKTV

The network took their revenue over the £300million mark for the first time last year, which left them with £82million in earnings before other costs, it was announced on 12 April.  

Executives claim they have capitalised on the strong television advertising market. They also say a 20% increase in investment in original content helped boost viewing figures.

Upcoming original UKTV shows include a brand new series of cult hit Red Dwarf, an original chat show John Bishop: In Conversation With..., and the continuation of Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled.

Lifestyle channel Home moves to free-to-air

My Dream Derelict Home

Lifestyle channel Home will make the move from pay TV to free-to-air on 1 March.

Emma Ayech, general manager of Home, said that the channel’s move to free-to-air households “gives a greater reach to our channel, offering more viewers the opportunity to watch our great roster of much-loved shows fronted by big name talent. We’re looking forward to welcoming new audiences to our Home.”

Home replaced pay TV channel UKTV Style in 2009. It will move to channel 25, currently occupied by Dave Ja Vu, which will move to a new slot which will be announced in the coming days.

UKTV takes on Australia's deadliest pests

Australia, Dave, UKTV, crocodiles, UK, Brits

Deadliest Pests Down Under follows the trial and tribulations of nine British pest controllers as they are moved thousands of miles to Australia, where the critters are bigger, scarier and have many more teeth.

"Imagine Rodney Trotter meeting Crocodile Dundee, and it should give you an idea of the comedy potential this trailblazing new series has” says Popkorn TV’s Rory Wheeler.

The Interviews returns to Gold

Peter Sellers, Pink Panther, inspector clouseau, The Interviews,

The show follows the career of some of our best loved celebrities from the world of comedy and showbiz.

Narrated by Tamsin Greig (Episodes, Friday Night Dinner), this series will look at the lives of comic actor Peter Sellers, the incorrigible Frankie Howerd, Barry Humphries and his larger-than-life alter ego Dame Edna Everage, king of Saturday night Sir Bruce Forsyth, comedy great Kenny Everett, and much loved national treasure Julie Walters.

BT TV app gets a makeover

BT, TV, Children's TV, App, UKTV, Sony

BT’s Antonia Barton promised that “the new BT TV app is much better all round – it is much easier to use and gives you great TV shows to enjoy when you are out and about. Plus there’s so much more content.”

All BT TV customers can download the BT TV app which includes a dedicated kids' section of streamed on demand and catch up shows including SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon and Doc McStuffins from Disney Junior.