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U&Yesterday

{{short description|UKTV channel in the United Kingdom and Ireland}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}

{{Use British English|date=June 2020}}

{{Infobox television channel

| name = U&Yesterday

| logo_size = 210px

| logo_caption = Logo used since 2024

| logo = File:U&Yesterday (2024).svg

| launch_date = {{start date and age|30 October 2002}}

| owner = BBC Studios

| parent = UKTV

| country = United Kingdom

| language = English

| area = United Kingdom and Ireland

| picture_format = 1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed)

| sister_channels = U&Alibi
U&Dave
U&Drama
U&Eden
U&Gold
U&W

| former_names = {{nowrap|UK History (2002–04)}}
{{nowrap|UKTV History (2004–09)}}
{{nowrap|Yesterday (2009–24)}}

| replaced = Play UK

| timeshift_service = U&Yesterday +1

| website = {{url|u.co.uk/channel/yesterday}}

| terr_serv_1 = Freeview

| terr_chan_1 = Channel 27

}}

U&Yesterday is a British free-to-air television channel broadcasting in the United Kingdom and Ireland specialising in history, documentaries, and culture.

It launched on 30 October 2002 as UK History and relaunched in its current format on 2 March 2009. It is available on satellite through Sky, Freesat and through the digital terrestrial provider Freeview. Hours on Freeview had previously been cut, with transmissions finishing at 6{{nbsp}}pm, but were restored on 1 June 2010.

History of U&Yesterday

On 30 June 2002, UKTV announced the closure of Play UK at the end of the year, citing that the closure of ITV Digital was the reason for its demise.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/bbcworldwide/worldwidestories/pressreleases/2002/06_june/play_uk_closure.shtml|title=BBC - Worldwide Press Office - UKTV to close Play UK}} On 13 September, UKTV announced the closure of the channel would be moved forward to the end of September, and that to prepare for the launch of Freeview, the bandwidth space would be replaced with a new channel{{snd}}UK History.{{cite web|url=https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/uktv-pulls-play-in-favour-of-history/1155578.article|title=UKTV pulls Play in favour of History}}

Play UK closed as planned at the end of September, and the following month on 30{{nbsp}}October, the launch date for the Freeview platform itself, UK History launched, becoming an offshoot of UK Horizons with most of its factual and documentary programmes moving over; however, the launch of UK History allowed Horizons to broadcast more programmes in their schedule.

File:U&Yesterday+1.png

On 28 January 2004, a timeshift service{{snd}}UK History +1 was launched on Sky Digital.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/satellite/a13200/uk-history-1-launches-on-sky/|title=UK History +1 launches on Sky|website=Digital Spy|date=28 January 2004}} The channel broadcasts the UK History schedule one hour later than the main channel, but contains no special programming or branding, with the occasional exception of a different DOG. The channel launched on Telewest the following week on 4 February.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tech/cable/a13310/two-uktv-1s-launch-on-telewest/|title=Two UKTV +1s launch on Telewest|website=Digital Spy|date=4 February 2004}} On 8 March 2004, the channel's "UK" prefix was changed to the full "UKTV" name, renaming the networks as UKTV History and UKTV History +1, as with the rest of the UKTV network.

The channel was available full-time on all platforms until 15 October 2007 when the hours were reduced on the Freeview platform, resulting in the channel stopping broadcasting at 6{{nbsp}}pm each day. This was a result of the launch of Dave, which took over UKTV History broadcast capacity. UKTV History took over the slot used by the unsuccessful UKTV Bright Ideas that was sharing a slot with Virgin1 and Babestation.{{cite news|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a76007/uktv-g2-becomes-dave-joins-freeview.html|title=UKTV G2 becomes Dave, joins Freeview|date=20 September 2007|publisher=Digital Spy}} The channel's inability to broadcast in prime time on Freeview resulted in a ratings drop. In November 2007, the channel had a 0.3{{nbsp}}per cent share of all television viewing, compared to 0.5{{nbsp}}per cent a year earlier.{{cite web|url=http://www.barb.co.uk/report/monthlyViewingSummary/|title=BARB – Monthly Viewing Summary|website=barb.co.uk|access-date=12 November 2018|archive-date=21 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221062449/http://www.barb.co.uk/report/monthlyViewingSummary/|url-status=dead}}

As part of a network-wide programme of relaunching all the UKTV channels under unique names and brands, UKTV History and UKTV History +1 were renamed as Yesterday and Yesterday +1, respectively, on 2 March 2009.{{cite news|last=Shepherd|first=Robert|title=UKTV History becomes Yesterday|url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/multi-platform/news/uktv-history-becomes-yesterday/1922982.article|access-date=28 October 2011|newspaper=Broadcast|date=12 November 2008}} The new channel also took on extra programming including historical fact drama series and factual programmes previously broadcast on UKTV Documentary concerning the natural history of the British Isles.

On 1 June 2010, Yesterday reinstated its full broadcast hours on Freeview,{{cite web|publisher=Digital Spy|last=Laughlin|first=Andrew|title=UKTV extends Yesterday Freeview hours|date=25 May 2010|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a221811/uktv-extends-yesterday-freeview-hours.html|access-date=26 May 2010}} following the closure of the Virgin1 +1 channel.

On 7 October 2011, Yesterday +1 was reinstated on Virgin Media.{{cite web|url=http://my.virginmedia.com/customer-news/articles/UKTVNew/|title=Virgin TV just got even bigger|publisher=Virgin Media|access-date=4 October 2011|archive-date=11 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011064522/http://my.virginmedia.com/customer-news/articles/UKTVNew/|url-status=dead}}

On 24 July 2012, Yesterday offers more entertainment-led content along with a design refresh, which includes a new logo and idents, in order to attract a wider and younger audience, along with a new slogan, "Entertainment Inspired By History".{{cite news|last=O'Reilly|first=Lara|title=UKTV rebrands Yesterday channel|url=http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/news/uktv-rebrands-yesterday-channel/4002624.article|access-date=10 July 2012|newspaper=Marketing Week|date=10 July 2012}} For example, the channel has broadcast more repeats of situation comedies, such as Last of the Summer Wine or Butterflies. The network moved to channel 19 on 19 September 2012, swapping with sister channel Dave.

In late 2014, Yesterday began slowly decreasing the amount of comedy and drama shown on the channel and branching out into more factual content, with notable additions including natural history, science and engineering alongside the classic slate of history programming.

On 8 December 2015, Yesterday became available on Freesat together with two of its UKTV sister channels Drama and former sister channel, Really.{{cite web|title=Yesterday, Drama and Really join Freesat|url=http://network.uktv.co.uk/article/yesterday-drama-and-really-join-freesat/|publisher=UKTV|access-date=8 February 2016}}

Yesterday +1 launched on Freeview channel 99 on 22 November 2018, but was removed on 16 January 2019.

On 10 June 2019, Yesterday moved to channel 25 on Freeview, a space previously occupied by its former sister channel Home, which Discovery, Inc. acquired along with Good Food and Really as part of a deal with its current owner BBC Studios.

Yesterday +1 returned on Freeview on channel 75 on 15 April 2020, with the channel moving up one slot, next to UKTV's newly acquired sister channel CCXTV, on {{nowrap|7 December 2020}} (though channel 74 is only currently used for two hours of teleshopping a night rather than broadcasting any of Yesterday's programmes).{{cite tweet|number=1333403901148737536|user=a516digital|title=CCXTV moves to channel 73 on 7th...|date=30 November 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.freeview.co.uk/help/channel-changes-7-Dec-2020|title=Updates and alerts|date=21 June 2023}} On {{nowrap|4 November 2020}}, the channel moved to channel 26 as part of a move up where every channel from channel 24 to 54 on the platform moved up one place to allow BBC Four to move to channel 24 in Scotland due to new Ofcom rules regarding certain PSB channels requiring greater prominence on EPGs.

On 8 July 2022, test transmissions for the HD feed of Yesterday commenced, using the frequency 12226 H 27500 2/3 DVB-S2 8PSK.{{cite web|title=Yesterday - LyngSat|url=https://www.lyngsat.com/tvchannels/uk/Yesterday.html|publisher=LyngSat|access-date=8 August 2022}} A month later, on 8 August 2022, Yesterday's HD feed officially launched on Sky Q and Sky HD channel 155 where it replaced the standard definition feed on the EPG.{{cite web|title=Yesterday channel goes HD on Sky|date=8 August 2022 |url=https://rxtvinfo.com/2022/yesterday-channel-goes-hd-on-sky|publisher=RXTV Info|access-date=8 August 2022}} The HD feed was added to Virgin Media on 14 December 2022. The HD feed on Sky Q and Sky HD closed on 1 April 2025, though it will continue as normal on Sky Glass and Sky Stream.

On 16 July 2024, Yesterday and Yesterday +1 were renamed to U&Yesterday and U&Yesterday +1, respectively as part of a network wide rebrand with the "U" masterbrand.

On 16 October 2024, U&Yesterday +1 was replaced by U&Eden on Freeview.

File:Yesterday logo 2012.svg

Logo history

File:UK History logo.png|UK History logo used from 30 October 2002 to 7 March 2004

File:UKTV History.svg|UKTV History logo used from 8 March 2004 to 1 March 2009

File:Yesterday (UKTV) logo.svg|Yesterday logo used from 2 March 2009 to 23 July 2012

File:Yesterday logo 2012.svg|Yesterday logo used from 23 July 2012 to 16 July 2024

File:U&Yesterday (2024).svg|U&Yesterday logo currently used since 16 July 2024

Programming

The majority of the channel's programmes are sourced from the BBC programme archives; however, some are bought in from other terrestrial stations and some productions are commissioned by UKTV themselves. Programmes previously shown on terrestrial channels like BBC One, Two and Four are usually edited for timing, to accommodate the current three commercial breaks within each hour-long programme. The most obvious example of this is for programmes originally broadcast on the BBC, as material lasting 58 minutes will be edited down to 42 minutes when shown on U&Yesterday. Some of U&Yesterday's notable programmes include:

= UKTV/U&Yesterday Originals =

  • Abandoned Engineering{{Cite web|url=https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/shows/abandoned-engineering/episodes/|title=Abandoned Engineering | Yesterday Channel|website=yesterday.uktv.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/shows/abandoned-engineering/|title=Abandoned Engineering | Yesterday Channel|website=yesterday.uktv.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://uktvplay.uktv.co.uk/shows/abandoned-engineering/watch-online|title=Abandoned Engineering, Series 1, Episode 1 - Silent Cities on UKTV Play|website=UKTV Play}}
  • Bangers and Cash{{Cite web|url=https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/shows/bangers-and-cash/|title = Bangers and Cash | Yesterday Channel}}{{cite web |url=https://mathewsons.co.uk/bangers-cash |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200421013919/https://mathewsons.co.uk/bangers-cash |archive-date=21 April 2020 |title=Bangers & Cash - Mathewsons}}
  • Bangers & Cash: Restoring Classics (a spin-off series featuring Derek, Paul and Dave Mathewson){{Cite web|url=https://www.tvzoneuk.com/post/uktv-bangerscashspinoff|title = Uktv Order Bangers & Cash Spin-Off Series|date = 20 October 2021}}
  • Find It, Fix It, Flog It (previously shown on Channel 4){{cite web|url=https://www.henrycole.tv/post/new-find-it-fix-it-flog-it-on-uktv|title=New Find It Fix It Flog It on UKTV|website=henrycole.tv |access-date=25 November 2024}}
  • Great British Landmark Fixers{{Cite web|url=https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/blogs/seeall/2956/|title=Yesterday Channel|website=yesterday.uktv.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/shows/great-british-landmark-fixers/|title=Great British Landmark Fixers | Yesterday Channel|website=yesterday.uktv.co.uk}}
  • Hornby: A Model World{{Cite web|url=https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/shows/hornby-a-model-world/|title=Hornby: A Model World | Yesterday Channel|website=yesterday.uktv.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/shows/hornby-a-model-world/episodes/|title=Hornby: A Model World | Yesterday Channel|website=yesterday.uktv.co.uk}}{{Cite web|url=https://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/uktv-yesterday-channel-hornby/|title=UKTV's Yesterday channel steams in with new Hornby series by Rare TV | News | UKTV Corporate Site|website=corporate.uktv.co.uk}}
  • Railway Murders{{cite web |title=Murder On The Railway {{!}} Yesterday Channel |url=https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/shows/murder-on-the-railway/ |website=yesterday.uktv.co.uk |language=en}}
  • Retro Electro Workshop
  • Restoration Workshop{{Cite web|url=https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/shows/restoration-workshop/|title = Restoration Workshop | Yesterday Channel}}
  • Secrets of the London Underground
  • Secrets of the Transport Museum
  • The Architecture the Railways Built
  • True Evil: The Making of a Nazi{{Cite web|url=https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/shows/true-evil-the-making-of-a-nazi/|title=True Evil: The Making Of A Nazi | Yesterday Channel|website=yesterday.uktv.co.uk}}
  • War Factories{{Cite web|url=https://yesterday.uktv.co.uk/shows/war-factories/|title = War Factories | Yesterday Channel}}

=Programmes from the BBC and other broadcasters=

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See also

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Official website|https://uktvplay.co.uk/channel/yesterday}}
  • {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120104094053/http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/otherchannels/ukhistory.html UK History at TVARK]}}
  • {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120104090332/http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/otherchannels/yesterday.html Yesterday at TVARK]}}

{{UKTV}}

{{Media in the United Kingdom|television}}

{{Freeview}}

Category:Television channels and stations established in 2002

Category:UKTV

Category:UKTV channels

Category:2002 establishments in the United Kingdom