Warner Bros. Discovery has unveiled a refreshed look for its UK free-to-air portfolio, repositioning TLC as a broader entertainment channel and updating the on-air identity across TLC, Quest, Quest Red, Food Network, Really and DMAX.
The revamp is being pitched as part of WBD’s ongoing commitment to linear television, with each channel given a more distinct personality while sitting within a single, refreshed family of brands. This is a distance from TLC’s roots as The Learning Channel in the US and UK markets.
TLC’s new direction blends scripted and unscripted programming, launching with The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon and Mike and Molly. The UK premiere of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is scheduled for 18 January. The Big Bang Theory has recently left Disney+.
The channel is also set to become the new home of former BBC series Mock the Week, returning from Sunday 1 February with Dara Ó Briain back as host. WBD says the reboot will run as 9×60-minute episodes, produced by Angst, retaining familiar rounds while adding new elements for the longer format. Comedians named for the line-up include Rhys James, Sara Pascoe, Angela Barnes, Ed Byrne, Ahir Shah, Milton Jones, Katherine Ryan, Hugh Dennis, Sarah Keyworth, Lou Sanders, Glenn Moore, Ellie Taylor and Russell Howard, with more to be confirmed.
From April, TLC’s schedule is due to add Zero Stars, produced by CPL, featuring Roisin Conaty and Sara Pascoe travelling to destinations with the worst reviews. The channel will continue to carry established franchises including Dr Pimple Popper, The Bad Skin Clinic, My 600Lb Life and the 90 Day Fiancé brand, including the UK spin-off.
Alongside the branding refresh, WBD UK & Ireland has confirmed a wider slate of new and returning commissions across its free-to-air channels and discovery+.
On discovery+, Vinnie Jones in the Country returns on 2 February for a 6×60 run, while Richard Hammond’s Workshop is booked for a sixth season later in 2026. Also slated for late 2026 is true crime series An American Serial Killer in Cairo (w/t), a 4×60 documentary following Lobna Yakout’s search for her missing son amid the case around TikTok personality Karim Selim.
Quest’s 2026 additions include Guz Khan’s Custom Cars (8×60), airing from 19 January, and Francis Bourgeois & Chris Harris: We Saved a Train (8×60), due in the spring. Returning titles include Johnny Vegas’ Little Shop of Antiques (series 2) and Ant Anstead: Born Mechanic (series 3), both scheduled for the summer.
In Ireland, TLC remains a pay-TV channel, but WBD said the brand refresh and content positioning will mirror the UK, with the wider channel refresh also rolling out to Quest, Quest Red, Food Network, Really and DMAX.
