U (streaming service)

For the Northern Irish TV Channel, see UTV (TV channel).

U
Other namesUKTV Play (2014–2024)
Original authorUKTV
Initial release4 August 2014 (2014-08-04)
PlatformiOS, Android, Windows, macOS, YouView, Virgin Media, Now
Available inEnglish
Websiteu.co.uk

U (formerly known as UKTV Play) is UKTV’s free, ad-supported streaming service in the UK, offering on-demand access to programmes from UKTV’s free-to-air channels: U&Dave, U&Drama, U&W and U&Yesterday). The service launched on 4 August 2014. UKTV is operated by the BBC's commercial subsidiary BBC Studios.

History

UKTV Play was first announced in June 2014.[1] 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[2] and on Android in February 2015.[3] The service would then launch on Freeview Play in August 2016,[4] on Roku and Sky UK's Now in February 2018,[5] and on Freesat and Samsung smart TVs in September 2018.[6]

Following the relaunch of W (originally Watch) as a free-to-air service, the channel's shows became available to watch for free on UKTV Play.[7]

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.[8] UKTV Play rebranded as U on 16 July 2024.[9]

In September 2024 U became available on Freely. [10] In September 2025, the U app was added to Sky Q boxes in the UK. [11] In January 2026, UKTV and Channel 4 agreed a deal that would see thousands of hours of U content also made available on Channel 4 streaming [12].

References

  1. ^ Alexander, Susannah (23 June 2014). "UKTV launching first interactive digital service UKTV Play". Digital Spy. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  2. ^ Barker, John (21 November 2014). "UKTV Play arrives on YouView and PC". Broadband Choices. Archived from the original on 17 December 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  3. ^ "UKTV Play app launches on Android". Digital TV Europe. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
  4. ^ "UKTV Play launches on Freeview Play | Freeview". www.freeview.co.uk. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  5. ^ "UKTV Play launches on NOW TV and Roku streaming players | News | UKTV Corporate Site". corporate.uktv.co.uk. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  6. ^ "UKTV Play launches on Freesat | News | UKTV Corporate Site". corporate.uktv.co.uk. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
  7. ^ "UKTV joins BBC, ITV, Channel 4 & Channel 5 on Freely, the UK's new live and on demand streaming platform". UKTV. Retrieved 5 February 2026.
  8. ^ Middleton, Richard (29 November 2023). "UKTV channels and streaming service to rebrand under new banner U". Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  9. ^ Kasule, Melissa (6 June 2024). "UKTV to launch masterbrand U on July 16". Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  10. ^ "UKTV joins BBC, ITV, Channel 4 & Channel 5 on Freely, the UK's new live and on demand streaming platform". UKTV. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  11. ^ "UKTV's free streaming service U launches on Sky Q in the UK". UKTV. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
  12. ^ "Channel 4 and UKTV Deliver Unmissable Entertainment and More Choice for Viewers". UKTV. Retrieved 25 February 2026.
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