UKTV on track to spend £110m on programming

L to R: Zoe Telford, Henry Goodman, David Haig and Chris Larkin star in Yes, Prime Minister. Image: UKTV
L to R: Zoe Telford, Henry Goodman, David Haig and Chris Larkin star in Yes, Prime Minister. Image: UKTV
UKTV – broadcaster behind the Dave, Watch and Yesterday channels – says it is on course to spend £110m on programming this year.

The investment is helping the firm’s channels, which also include Gold, Alibi, Eden, Drama, Really, Home and Good Food, reach more than 40 million viewers every month.

Recent original commissions include the revival of Red Dwarf and the revival of Yes, Prime Minister.

Next month GOLD will premiere its latest series, You, Me & Them, which stars Anthony Head, Lindsay Duncan and Susie Blake.

Confirmation of UKTV’s programming spend came as the broadcaster announced an operating profit of £71m and “an all-time” year-end revenue of £262m.

CEO Darren Childs said “Strong revenue and profits are paving the way for UKTV’s creative ambition to come to life.

“It’s fantastic news for viewers and suppliers that we will devote a record £110m of investment on screen, and provide audiences with compelling, original commissions and acquisitions through our network of vibrant channels.”

The broadcaster says its growth is being led by the launch of new HD and SD channels, expansion onto emerging platforms such as BT Vision, TalkTalk and You View and significant increases in advertising sales arising from increased viewership.

UKTV is a joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.

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