U (streaming service)
{{short description|Video-on-demand service owned by UKTV}}
{{For|the Northern Irish TV Channel|UTV (TV channel)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox software
| name = U
| logo = U_(2024).svg
| logo_size = 100px
| screenshot =
| logo_caption = Logo used since 2024
| screenshot size =
| screenshot alt =
| collapsible =
| other_names = UKTV Play (2014–2024)
| author = UKTV
| developer =
| released = {{Start date and age|2014|08|04|df=y}}
| programming language =
| platform = iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, YouView, Virgin Media, Now
| size =
| language = English
| genre =
| website = {{URL|http://u.co.uk/}}
}}
U (formerly known as UKTV Play) is a video on demand service owned by UKTV, which is operated by the BBC's commercial subsidiary BBC Studios. The service launched on 4 August 2014 and offers catch-up programming and previously live broadcasts from UKTV's free-to-air channels (U&Dave, U&Drama, U&W, U&Eden, and U&Yesterday).{{cite web|last=Finbow |first=Katy |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a639153/drama-channel-launches-on-uktv-play-on-demand-service.html |title=Drama channel launches on UKTV Play on-demand service |publisher=Digital Spy |date=31 March 2015 |access-date=1 April 2015}}
History
UKTV Play was first announced in June 2014.{{cite web|last=Alexander |first=Susannah |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a579569/uktv-launching-first-interactive-digital-service-uktv-play.html |title=UKTV launching first interactive digital service UKTV Play |publisher=Digital Spy |date=23 June 2014 |access-date=1 April 2015}} Prior to its launch, each UKTV channel had their own on-demand services.
UKTV Play launched on iOS in August, on PC, YouView and Virgin Media in November{{cite web|last=Barker |first=John |url=http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/news/tv/uktv-play-arrives-on-youview-and-pc-00060 |title=UKTV Play arrives on YouView and PC |publisher=Broadband Choices |date=21 November 2014 |access-date=1 April 2015}} and on Android in February 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitaltveurope.net/319412/uktv-play-app-launches-on-android/ |title=UKTV Play app launches on Android |publisher=Digital TV Europe |date=10 February 2015 |access-date=1 April 2015}} The service would then launch on Freeview Play in August 2016,{{cite web |title=UKTV Play launches on Freeview Play {{!}} Freeview |url=https://www.freeview.co.uk/news-and-blog/features/uktv-play-launches-on-freeview-play.html |website=www.freeview.co.uk |access-date=19 September 2018}} on Roku and Sky UK's Now in February 2018,{{cite web |title=UKTV Play launches on NOW TV and Roku streaming players {{!}} News {{!}} UKTV Corporate Site |url=https://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/uktv-play-launches-now-tv-and-roku-streaming-players/ |website=corporate.uktv.co.uk |access-date=19 September 2018}} and on Freesat and Samsung smart TVs in September 2018.{{cite web |title=UKTV Play launches on Freesat {{!}} News {{!}} UKTV Corporate Site |url=https://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/uktv-play-launches-freesat/ |website=corporate.uktv.co.uk |access-date=19 September 2018}}
Following the relaunch of W as a free-to-air service, the channel's shows became available to watch for free on UKTV Play.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}
=Rebrand to U=
In November 2023, UKTV announced that UKTV Play would be renamed as U, as part of the unification of UKTV's channels and service under the new masterbrand.{{Cite web |last=Middleton |first=Richard |date=2023-11-29 |title=UKTV channels and streaming service to rebrand under new banner U |url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2023/11/29/uktv-channels-and-streaming-service-to-rebrand-under-new-banner-u/ |access-date=2024-06-12}} UKTV Play rebranded as U on 16 July 2024.{{Cite web |last=Kasule |first=Melissa |date=2024-06-06 |title=UKTV to launch masterbrand U on July 16 |url=https://www.digitaltveurope.com/2024/06/06/uktv-to-launch-masterbrand-u-on-july-16/ |access-date=2024-06-12}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://uktvplay.co.uk/}}
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{{UKTV}}
{{UK Based TV on demand}}
{{VOD services}}
{{Media in the United Kingdom}}
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Category:Internet properties established in 2014
Category:Video on demand services