UKTV’s Blighty Set for February Launch

LONDON: UKTV People is set to relaunch as Blighty on February 17, targeting those in their 30s and 40s with programming focusing on modern Britain.

Set to go live at 9 a.m. on February 17, Blighty will feature a grid that includes series like Who Do You Think You Are?, Coast to Trawlermen and Louis Theroux Meets…, plus a range of soon-to-be announced commissions. A complementary website at www.loveblighty.co.uk will launch on the same day. With the tagline "One nation under a channel," the brand is focused on much-loved aspects of British culture today. "Blighty shows a unique mix of programs that showcase the very best of Britain and British people," said channel head Adrian Wills. "Just as Britain today is rich, varied, contradictory and full of juxtapositions, so Blighty’s schedule places British wildlife content side by side with quirky ob-docs, factual entertainment, cookery and programs that celebrate the British outdoors to capture the spirit of contemporary Britain."

The relaunch of UKTV People as Blighty is part of UKTV’s broader strategy of enhancing its portfolio of factual channels. Eden launched today, and UKTV History becomes Yesterday in March. Jane Mote, the director of factual and lifestyle and UKTV, stated: "We are putting factual TV on the map this year with Blighty bringing to life great programming right on our doorstep, Eden taking viewers global and the soon to be launched Yesterday taking us back in time. Blighty will be a major contributor in attracting new audiences to our rebranded factual portfolio."

This follows the rebrand of UKTV’s entertainment portfolio as Dave, G.O.L.D., Watch and Alibi and precedes the relaunch of its lifestyle channels in the second quarter.