UKTV
- Open roles
- 0
- Founded
- 1992
- Employees
- 201-500
- Offices
- 1
About UKTV
UKTV is a British commercial television broadcaster, streaming platform operator and content commissioner serving audiences in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. Its business combines free-to-air and subscription television, advertising-supported streaming, programme acquisitions and investment in original British programming. Based in London, it operates within BBC Studios while retaining distinct commissioning responsibilities and commercial operations.
The company traces its origins to November 1992, when BBC Enterprises and Thames Television launched UK Gold to showcase comedy, drama and entertainment from their archives. That single-channel venture developed into a broader television network. In 2019, BBC Studios acquired Discovery’s remaining half of the business, bringing UKTV into full BBC Studios ownership.
Channels and streaming
UKTV’s seven-channel portfolio covers complementary genres: U&Dave focuses on comedy and entertainment; U&Drama on British drama; U&W on entertainment and documentaries; U&Yesterday on history, science and factual programming; and U&Eden on nature and documentary content. Subscription channels U&Gold and U&Alibi specialise in classic British comedy and crime drama respectively.
The consumer masterbrand U brings these channels together with the company’s free streaming service. Introduced through a brand transformation announced in 2023 and implemented from 2024, U replaced UKTV Play as the streaming service’s name. The platform offers more than 9,000 hours of programming, including box sets, catch-up viewing and exclusive digital premieres.
Commissioning and distribution
UKTV commissions and co-finances original series from independent production companies across the UK. Its slate spans scripted comedy, crime drama, entertainment, motoring and factual programming, complementing acquired titles and archive television. Original commissions sit alongside established programmes within its channel schedules and streaming catalogue.
Distribution extends beyond UKTV’s own channels and app. The company maintains carriage arrangements with television platforms and distributes curated Free Ad-supported Streaming TV channels through third-party services. This combination of linear broadcasting, on-demand viewing and themed streaming channels allows its programming to reach audiences through several viewing formats.
More about UKTV
Leadership
Sam Tewungwa became CEO on 1 April 2026, having previously served as Chief Commercial Officer and Managing Director. He reports to former UKTV CEO Marcus Arthur, whose remit expanded to BBC Studios Global Channels & Streaming.
The reported 2026 leadership team also includes Penny Brough, Chief Marketing & AI Officer; Jonathan Newman, Chief Commercial Officer; Andrea Amey, Chief Digital Officer; Steve North, Chief Content Officer; David Swetman, Director of Content Acquisitions; and Claire Astley, HR Director.
Commercial model and collaboration
UKTV Ventures offers television advertising airtime to high-growth consumer businesses in exchange for equity stakes.
A multi-year agreement announced with Channel 4 in late 2025 provided for hundreds of titles from U to become available within Channel 4’s streaming service from January 2026. The report identifies this as the first native integration of another broadcaster’s catalogue into that platform.
Workplace
UKTV’s careers material describes its workspace as open and creative, designed to help colleagues meet and collaborate. This is the company’s description of its working environment.
Notable credits
17 creditsOffices
Current and former locations of UKTV
- 10 Hammersmith Grove, London, W6 7AP, United KingdomLondon, England, United Kingdom
London office
HeadquartersAbout this office
Operational headquarters and registered office, accommodating executive, commissioning, programming, digital, marketing and commercial functions. A move to Television Centre in White City was announced for spring 2027; the existing headquarters remains current as of the research date.
- Leeming Building, LeedsLeeds, England, United Kingdom
Leeds office
Former officeOpened 2018
About this office
Former regional technology hub established to develop video-on-demand infrastructure. The report confirms that no standalone Leeds office remains active.
Open roles
Find your next role at UKTV