UKTV signs new content deal with C4

UKTV has signed a new multimillion-pound landmark deal that will give it access to almost 200 hours of Channel 4’s content.

The two year deal, which will give UKTV’s newly rebranded channels access to programmes like Green Wing, will allow UKTV to minimise its reliance on BBC archive content and strengthen its position in the pay-TV market.

The 187 hours of C4’s comedy, drama and entertainment content is expected to broadcast on Watch, GOLD, Dave and Yesterday, giving the new-look channels a major line-up boost.

Under the terms of the deal, which also includes non-linear rights, C4 will receive payment from UKTV when each show airs, and then split it with the producer.

Keith Porritt, UKTV’s executive director said: “When we went through the rebrand, it was designed to be amphibious for the linear and non-linear space. Securing multichannel broadcast and non-linear rights puts us in an ideal position.”

Channel 4’s rights managing director Mike Morris, added: “There are a number of pre-terms of trade shows that C4 represents, but we also play an important role as an aggregator for more recent shows. C4 can help indies in lots of ways, such as drive a higher licence fee and reduce the cost of distribution.”

Content will be made available to UKTV on a staggered basis over the two year period when the deal starts on August 1.