UKTV’s free streaming service U launches on Sky Q
Free streaming service U has launched on Sky Q in the UK, UKTV and Sky confirm today, expanding the footprint of the U service into further Sky homes and extending their long-standing partnership.
The launch follows the multi-year deal announced in September 2024 which saw the U app launch on Sky Glass and Sky Stream devices to Sky customers in the UK for the first time, as well as securing carriage for UKTV’s highly popular pay channels, U&alibi and U&GOLD, across Sky platforms in the UK and Ireland.
Customers with Sky Q now join those on Sky Glass and Sky Stream in having access to the U app, which features shows from UKTV's free-to-air channels - U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W,U&YESTERDAY and U&eden - plus additional U content, across a range of genres including exclusive content, award-winning originals, premiere acquisitions and iconic BBC programmes. Titles include The Marlow Murder Club, Outrageous, Bergerac, Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake, Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, The Chelsea Detective, Ladies in Black and The Count of Monte Cristo.
As well as having access to all the great content available via the U app, Sky Q, Sky Stream and Sky Glass customers continue to benefit from choice and flexibility in how they consume UKTV content. They can enjoy access to UKTV’s linear channels, on-demand content served directly from their Sky devices, as well as UKTV channels and on-demand content available via the Sky Go app.U&alibi and U&GOLD are also available to watch on the NOW streaming service.
The expansion onto Sky Q follows a year of stellar growth for U, which was rebranded from UKTV Play last year as part of the new U masterbrand rollout. Through the course of 2024 views grew by 34%, active users increased by 21% and the service’s content library was increased to over 9,000 hours.
Sam Tewungwa, Managing Director, UKTV, said: “U is going from strength to strength with on-going growth in views, reach and quality of content. We’re delighted to be building on this success by bringing U to more Sky homes via the hugely popular Sky Q platform.”
Jon Simkin, Managing Director, Content Partnerships, Sky, commented: “We’re pleased to expand our partnership with UKTV through the launch of the U app on Sky Q, having already launched on Sky Stream and Sky Glass. This gives our customers even more choice and flexibility in how they enjoy great TV on Sky.”
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For more information please contact:
yvette.dore@uktv.co.uk Corporate Communications Manager, UKTV
About UKTV
UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, U&eden, U&GOLD and U&alibi - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview, Freesat and Freely; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV’s content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Pluto TV and Virgin Media.
UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.
corporate.uktv.co.uk | press.uktv.co.uk
About Sky
Sky connects and entertains millions of people across Europe. At the heart of everything we do, is a belief that people deserve better. For decades, we’ve shaken up every category we entered to give people what they love, to make life a little easier and to provide great value. That’s how we bring millions of customers the joy of a better experience in TV, broadband and mobile.
In TV, we offer the best sports coverage, unmissable TV and the smartest ways to stream and aggregate the TV you love. In broadband, we power homes and businesses, with a fast, reliable connection. In mobile, we bring people closer, with plans at unbeatable value. And now, you can even keep your home connected and protected, through our smart insurance. We design our products to fit seamlessly into your life, with service whenever and however you need it.
That’s how we do better for customers. And we believe in better for society too. We power the cultural economy in the UK and beyond, making award-winning news, original sport, and entertainment. We contribute billions to UK GDP, creating and sustaining thousands of jobs and sharing both our journalism and our coverage of the arts, free of charge. We are cutting emissions and making recyclable, energy-efficient products, and we give back, through free internet access and digital skills for under-served communities and young people.
Sky is owned by Comcast Corporation, a global media and technology company.
About U
U is UKTV’s free streaming service, providing instant access to shows from UKTV's free-to-air channels – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W and U&YESTERDAY. Viewers can browse 9,000 hours of programming – including exclusive content, award-winning originals, premiere acquisitions and iconic BBC programmes across drama, (Bergerac, Outrageous, Whitstable Pearl, Marlow Murder Club, Sister Boniface Mysteries, Sons of Anarchy, Mike, Madam Secretary, A Million Little Things, The Shield, The Bill, Classic EastEnders, Holby City), comedy (Silence Is Golden, Meet the Richardsons, Red Dwarf, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, We Are Not Alone, Rosie Jones’s Comedy Disability Extravaganza), entertainment (Will & Ralf Should Know Better, Battle in the Box, Big Zuu's Big Eats, David Mitchell's Outsiders, QI, Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, World's Most Dangerous Roads), and factual entertainment (Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake, Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, MasterChef Australia, Katie Piper: Jailhouse Mums, Emma Willis: Delivering Babies, Secrets of the London Underground, Bangers & Cash, Orlanda Bloom: To The Edge).
U is available in the UK through the U app via computer, tablet or smart phone, or on television with Freeview Play, Amazon Fire TV, YouView, Samsung TV, Apple TV, Freesat, Freely, NOW devices and Roku.