Sister channel for UKTV Gold

UKTV is launching a sister channel to UK Gold called UKG2. The channel is aimed at a younger audience and will screen BBC drama and comedy programmes from recent years.

UKG2 will broadcast from 8pm to 5am and replaces UK Gold 2, a version of UK Gold’s daytime schedule, which is broadcast at peak-time. The new channel’s programme line-up will include shows such as Have I Got News For You, Room 101, They Think It’s All Over, and Shooting Stars, as well as a range of modern dramas such as Spooks, Cutting It and This Life.

In line with UKTV’s plans to reduce advertising and promotional minutage to make commercial breaks more engaging for viewers, the channel’s programme breaks will be no longer than three minutes.

Dick Emery, chief executive of UKTV, says: “In 2002, UK Gold was the second-most popular non-terrestrial channel and in 2003 it has consistently achieved an average share of over two per cent. But when we looked at the UK Gold audience, we identified a younger, more contemporary group that was not being catered for.”

UKG2 will be available on Sky Digital, Telewest Broadband and NTL from November 12. Its launch follows an on-air rebrand for UK Gold and the introduction of a new schedule in August.

UK Gold faces increasing competition from other digital channels, among them the planned ITV Gold, which will screen classic ITV drama, comedy and entertainment shows.

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