W (UK TV channel)
| W | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | 7 October 2008 (as Watch) |
| Owned by |
UKTV (BBC Worldwide/ Scripps Networks Interactive) |
| Picture format |
576i (16:9) (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV) |
| Audience share | 0.42% 0.06% (+1) (June 2016, BARB) |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Broadcast area | United Kingdom Ireland |
| Formerly called | Watch (2008–16) |
| Sister channel(s) |
Alibi Dave Drama Eden Gold Good Food Home Really Yesterday |
| Timeshift service | W +1 |
| Website | w.uktv.co.uk |
|
Availability
|
|
| Satellite | |
| Sky | Channel 109 (SD/HD) Channel 213 (+1) Channel 245 (SD) |
| Cable | |
| Virgin Media | Channel 125 Channel 131 (+1) Channel 191 (HD) |
| WightFibre | Channel 112 |
| Virgin Media Ireland | Channel 512 |
| IPTV | |
| BT | Channel 311 Channel 383 (HD) |
| TalkTalk TV | Channel 311 |
| Plusnet | Channel 311 |
| Streaming media | |
| TVPlayer | Watch live (UK only) (TVPlayer Plus subscription required) |
| Sky Go | Watch live (UK and Ireland only) |
| Virgin TV Anywhere | Watch live (UK only) |
W (formerly Watch) is a general entertainment channel broadcasting in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as part of the UKTV network. The channel launched on 7 October 2008 on satellite through Sky, Virgin Media, Smallworld Cable, BT TV, TalkTalk TV, and TVPlayer (When subscribed to TVPlayer Plus). On 15 February 2016, the channel was rebranded as W.
The channel launched on 7 October 2008 as the new flagship channel for the UKTV network of channels. The channel would feature general entertainment programmes, primarily from the programme archive of the BBC, who own a 50% share of the network through the corporation's commercial arm BBC Worldwide. The channel featured flagship programmes from the BBC, such as Torchwood, general entertainment programmes from the corporation and international variations to popular current British programming, such as Dancing with the Stars (US version of popular BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing) and the various American editions of Wipeout, which is titled as Total Wipeout USA to avert confusion with the same-named British programme. The channel also featured programmes displaced following the repositioning of other UKTV channels, such as the move of all non-crime drama to the channel following Alibi's launch, and programming already shown on other UKTV channels in greater numbers, such as Traffic Cops. The Watch Channel Controller is currently Paul Moreton.
The channel also operates a timeshift service, called W +1, where the programme schedule is repeated by the channel one hour later. The channel receives no special branding, with the occasional exception of a special Digital on-screen graphic (DOG). It launched the same day as the main Watch channel on 7 October 2008 and was reported by AGB Nielsen Media Research on 2 September 2008.
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