U (streaming service)

For the Northern Irish TV Channel, see UTV (TV channel).

U (formerly known as UKTV Play) is a video on demand service owned by UKTV, which is operated by the BBC's commercial subsidiary BBC Studios. The service launched on 4 August 2014 and offers catch-up programming and previously live broadcasts from UKTV's free-to-air channels (U&Dave, U&Drama, U&W, U&Eden, and U&Yesterday).^[1]

U

Logo used since 2024
Other names	UKTV Play (2014–2024)
Original author(s)	UKTV
Initial release	4 August 2014; 10 years ago (2014-08-04)
Platform	iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, YouView, Virgin Media, Now
Available in	English
Website	u.co.uk

History

UKTV Play was first announced in June 2014.^[2] Prior to its launch, each UKTV channel had their own on-demand services.

UKTV Play launched on iOS in August, on PC, YouView and Virgin Media in November^[3] and on Android in February 2015.^[4] The service would then launch on Freeview Play in August 2016,^[5] on Roku and Sky UK's Now in February 2018,^[6] and on Freesat and Samsung smart TVs in September 2018.^[7]

Following the relaunch of W as a free-to-air service, the channel's shows would become available to watch for free on UKTV Play.^{[citation needed]}

Rebrand to U

In November 2023, UKTV announced that UKTV Play would be renamed as U, as part of the unification of UKTV's channels and service under the new masterbrand.^[8] UKTV Play rebranded as U on 16 July 2024.^[9]