UKTV will tonight relaunch its flagship entertainment channel Watch as W.
With a nod to BBC Three, soon to become an online-only channel, launch shows will include Nev’s Indian Call Centre, a spin-off of the BBC Three show, and a repeat of EastEnders on the same day as its BBC One transmission.
Further original commissions include ON, a documentary strand featuring films by radio DJ Sara Cox, musician Sophie Ellis-Bextor and journalist Grace Dent and a new factual entertainment format Take me to Church.
W’s primetime 20.00 and 22.00 slot will consist entirely of original commissions from the Scripps-BBC Worldwide-owned channel.
UKTV believes its spotted a demographic growth area for W in 30 to 39-year-old women and their partners, husbands and family.
UKTV controller Emma Tennant, said, “UKTV is known for peerlessly strong channel brands, which guide audiences to shows that are perfect for them. W will be no different, a premium channel for smart women and men seeking high-quality escapism.”
W is the first major change in the UKTV portfolio since the launch of Drama in 2013.
