The channel will feature a mixture of original commissions, US exclusives including Code Black and MasterChef USA, and “the very best of BBC content” including same-day repeats of EastEnders and its weekend omnibus.

“UKTV is known for peerlessly strong channel brands, which guide audiences to shows that are perfect for them,” said UKTV controller Emma Tennant. “W will be no different, a premium channel for smart women and men seeking high-quality escapism.”

The former world champion will take on Australian heavyweight Mark De Mori in his first fight in over three years.

Haye, also known as The Hayemaker, said he was "delighted" that his comeback fight would be available to watch on the free-to-air channel: “I was determined to make this comeback fight free to everybody and fans should sit back and get ready for another fun-fuelled ride as I look to regain the heavyweight championship of the world.” 

Last year saw UKTV deliver a 9.27% share of social impacts (SOCI), putting it marginally ahead of Sky’s branded channels (9.25%) and Channel 5’s portfolio (9.26%).

The results follow a big drive by the broadcaster to commission more original content. Storage Hunters UK Celebrity Special and Dave Gorman Modern Life is Goodish received UKTV’s highest ratings last year. Meanwhile comedy gameshow Taskmaster and sitcom Marley’s Ghosts also contributed to a boost in audience share.

Witless – BBC Three

Starring Him & Her actress Kerry Howard, this show follows two women who enter witness protection after witnessing a gangland shooting. However creating a ‘new you’ is harder than you might think. Leanne leaps at creating herself as the ultimate diva, while Rhona finds every lie terrifying. 

Five years ago, UKTV was seen as the home of the BBC’s archive shows and the owner of a channel called Dave. Everyone in the industry thought Dave was named after the company’s former CEO, David Abraham.

Fast forward to today. The 300-strong company that began life as a multichannel archive business 20 years ago has grown. It now runs 11 channels, ranging from natural-history channel Eden to Good Food, and has a commercial television market share of 9.3%.

The classic sitcom no longer rules the TV schedules in the way that shows such as Fawlty Towers, Open All Hours and Porridge did in the 1970s. Or does it?

A panel of TV practitioners attempted to tease out the answer last month at an RTS early-­evening event, “No laughing matter: how does comedy fight back?” This stimulating debate made one think that we could be living through another golden age of TV comedy without necessarily knowing it.

Get an idea of what was discussed about comedy on television at the RTS No Laughing Matter event