Play UK
| Play UK | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Launched | 10 October 1998 |
| Closed | 30 September 2002 |
| Owned by |
UKTV (BBC Worldwide/Virgin Media) |
| Formerly called | UK Play (1998-2000) |
| Replaced by | UKTV History now Yesterday |
Availability At time of closure | |
| Terrestrial | |
| ITV Digital (until July 2002) |
Channel 37 (Multiplex D) |
| Satellite | |
| Astra 1E analogue (Between 1am and 7am, until 31 March 2001) | Astra 1E, 10.832V |
| Sky Digital | 217 (previously 452) |
| Cable | |
| NTL | Channel 100 |
| Telewest | Channel 151 |
Play UK was a television channel broadcasting in the United Kingdom as part of the UKTV network of channels. The channel was launched (as UK Play) on 10 October 1998. The channel was aimed at playing (for most of the time) music in the morning and afternoon, while broadcasting comedy in the evening.
Play UK broadcast all day on the digital platforms, but on the Sky Analogue platform on the Astra 19.2°E satellite system it broadcast between 1am and 7am when UK Horizons was not broadcasting.
It closed on 30 September 2002 due to low ratings because of the closure of ITV Digital in July 2002; also it could not compete with MTV. Play UK's comedy programming was then moved to UK Gold (now Gold).
Music Programming
The majority of the music programmes broadcast (quizzes, interviews and compilations) on Play UK were produced by themselves. Play UK also repeated TOTP2, which was originally broadcast on BBC Two.
- The Joy of Decks
- Mental! - The Music Quiz
- The Phone Zone (music request programme using The O Zone branding)
- The Sound of Play
- The Sound of Disco
Comedy programming
Most of the comedy programming on Play UK had already been broadcast on the BBC's channels. Play UK also produced original comedy programming and, later on, broadcast American comedy and animation.
Originally produced programming
- Either/Or
- Mark and Lard's Pop Upstairs Downstairs
- RE:Brand
- Rock Profile
- Terrorville
- The Chris Moyles Show
- The Mitchell and Webb Situation
- Vic Reeves Examines
- Honky Sausages
- Swivel on the Tip
- Joe's Pop Shop
- The Alphabet Show
- Unnovations
- Pop Will Shoot Itself
Repeated BBC shows
- 'orrible
- Attention Scum!
- Bang Bang, It's Reeves and Mortimer
- Big Train
- Bod
- Camberwick Green
- Chigley
- The Day Today
- Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible
- The Fast Show
- Goodness Gracious Me
- Hippies
- I'm Alan Partridge
- The League of Gentlemen
- The Office
- Shooting Stars
- Sir Bernard's Stately Homes
- Stella Street
- Stressed Eric
- Trumpton
- World of Pub
American programming
Other programming
External links
- The TV Room looks at presentation/branding on the UKTV channels
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