UKTV launches Drama channel today

UKTV is to launch its latest channel later today.

Drama is targeted at a different audience demographic than our other highly successful free-to-air channels, Dave, Yesterday and Really. The channel is aimed at people who simply love drama and want to watch critically-acclaimed shows that have absolutely defined the landscape of British television. – UKTV Controller Emma Tennant.

Available to all British viewers via Freeview, Drama will air a diverse range of critically-acclaimed shows featuring stellar talent, many of whom have gone on to join Hollywood’s elite.

In the year which celebrates the bicentenary of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, viewers will be treated to Colin Firth’s much lauded turn as Mr Darcy in the acclaimed mini-series. They will also see an early appearance by Catherine Zeta-Jones in Catherine Cookson’s The Cinder Path and a swashbuckling Sean Bean in Sharpe. Other shows include Tipping the Velvet, Auf Wiedersehen Pet, Cranford, The Bill, New Tricks and Lark Rise to Candleford.

The channel is the first to be added to the UKTV portfolio since the introduction of Really in May 2009 and it will be a home for the best British dramas from a range of broadcasters spanning the last 40 years.

Drama lovers’ prayers have been answered. This channel represents the best drama content within the genre and we are confident that viewers will enjoy these celebrated shows. – Adrian Wills, General Manager of Drama

The announcement of the new channel comes after an incredibly successful period for UKTV which proved record breaking for the network of 10 channels. UKTV increased its share by 10% in 2012 and launched its own On Demand players. UKTV’s free-to-air channels have also enjoyed huge success with Really and Yesterday leading the Lifestyle and Factual genres respectively and Dave up 33% in share compared to the same period last year.

Drama will become the fourth free-to-air channel from UKTV and can be found on Freeview channel 20.

I am very passionate about the subject and discussing the programmes that will create Drama’s schedule has just been brilliant fun. I’m genuinely excited about the launch of Drama both as a viewer and as Controller. – UKTV Controller Emma Tennant.

2 comments

  • How do I get Channel 20. I have checked and retuned Freeserve with no success. I have free Sky, where is it on this please? I also have ‘freesat’ on a Humax machine.
    Thank you, Susan Jenkins

  • I wish they’d do a UKTV SOAP. Emmerdale Farm, Brookside, Crossroads, Neighbours, Home and Away, Eldorado, Albion Market, Cedar Tree, General Hospital UK. Sooo much to show and then the USA soaps too.