UKTV Reveals New Channels And Autumn Schedule

UKTV has announced the autumn line-up for its newly rebranded digital channels.

Dave retains its brand after last year’s revamp (see Hello Dave: UKTV To Launch New Channel), with autumn season highlights expected to include John Cleese’s return to TV with Batteries Not Included.

The new gadget series will feature 6 programmes with celebrities such as Dom Joly and Alex Zane road-testing strange gadgets like baby dusters.

Red Dwarf and Car of the Year 2008 will also return to the channel’s autumn schedule.

UKTV’s new flagship channel Watch will become home to Richard and Judy’s new show when it launches on October 7.

Watch will also feature Dancing with the Stars – the US version of Strictly Come Dancing – the popular drama Mistresses, Jimmy McGovern’s The Street and Planet Earth.

Drama is set to become crime channel Alibi, with the Murdoch Mysteries returning in the autumn for a second series.

Finally, Gold will drop the UKTV prefix and become dedicated to archive BBC comedy and related programmes, such as Blackadder: The Whole Rotten Saga.

The two-part programme will look back at the Blackadder phenomenon, featuring stars of the period comedy including Miranda Richardson and Stephen Fry.

Paul Moreton, the current UKTV Gold and UKTV Drama head, will continue to look after Gold and will head up Watch when it launches.

UKTV: 0207 299 6200 www.uktv.co.uk