UKTV is set to launch Dave+1 on Freeview

UKTV, the pay-TV joint venture between BBC Worldwide and Virgin Media, is set to extend the reach of its male-focused channel by launching Dave+1 on Freeview next week.

The broadcaster plans to extend its Dave portfolio from January, following the acquistion of an 8am to 4am daily slot on the digital TV platform, according to reports.

The time-shift channel, which is already available on Sky and Virgin Media, has become available for free on Freeview as a result of improvements in compression technology on the two Freeview multiplexes.

UKTV’s executive director of business and operations, Julia Jordan, said: “Dave is a key part of our highly successful entertainment portfolio that has recently been rebranded and repositioned to provide even clearer propositions to viewers and advertisers.

“Adding Dave+1 to Freeview will further expand the valuable 16 to 44 male reach of the channel and will also continue to provide a strong platform to promote our line-up of channels that are available on platforms, such as Sky and Virgin Media,” she added.

Dave has grown from the 29th biggest channel in multichannel homes to the 10th in terms of audience share since it relaunched from UKTV G2 in 2007, attracting around eight million viewers.

Christian Drobnyk, UKTV director of entertainment, said: “By rebranding Dave and making it available in Freeview homes, we catapulted it up the channel ratings table to become a permanent top 10 fixture.

“Launching on the +1 service on Freeview is all about capitalising on this success to bolster the Dave franchise further,” he added.

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