UKTV Drama expands hours from May 30!

UKTV has confirmed that its drama channel, UKtv Drama will be extending its broadcasting hours. The channel which currently broadcasts from 9pm - 5am, is now going to go 24 hours a day from May 30th!!!

I have to say that this is a very sensible move by the UKTV Network. UKTV Drama has sooo much potential and when they cut Drama's hours starting from 7pm, to 9pm - ratings seemed to fall as there was no longer as good a quality programming as there had been before. I think this will boost UKTV Drama's ratings and I've always been in favour of Drama extending its hours or going 24 hours. Having said that, I was quite shocked that it was going to 24 hours - I thought UKTV Style or Food might have gone 24 hours first as UKTV Gold is the only main channel to broadcast 24 hours within the UKTV Network.

So, now UKTV Drama is extending its hours - are we going to see many comebacks programme wise? Will there be dramas poached from Gold to go on Drama? I think Gold may start to show comedy programmes as shows like Holby City, Casualty, The Bill, Dalziel and Pascoe, Jonathan Creek etc. will probably go to Drama in light of its hours extension.

I would love to see shows like the Mayor of Casterbridge, Tenko, Pride and Prejudice, House of Eliot, All Creatures Great + Small, Duchess of Duke Street, Howard's Way, When The Boat Comes In, Jewel in the Crown come to UKTV Drama - I miss not seeing these programmes on anymore.

Also, do you think that Classic EastEnders could be moved to Drama?
what do you think of the hours extension - what programmes would you like to see move/return/come on to UKTV Drama? Is it a good/bad thing that this channel's hours have been extended?

post here - i'm interested to hear YOUR views!
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The "Bucket" residents...the lady of the house speaking!

Yes this is a good move by UKTV. UKTV Food +1 currently shares time with UKTV Drama. However, its likely that UKTV Food +1 will move to share with UKTV G2 +1 which is currently sharing with nothing.

I expect UKTV will launch UKTV Drama +1 soon after it goes 24 hrs.

Im not sure if it is a mistake or not, but Digiguide is showing UKTV Drama to start at 1pm each day from Sunday 1st May . This might be the first move before it goes 24 hrs later that month on the 30th.

They could move classic Neighbours to a reasonable time on UKTV Drama instead of something like 5 in the morning on UKTV Gold.

UKTV Drama could also show the extensive range of oneoff dramas that the BBC and ITV have produced.

... hopefully we'll also get to see Crime Traveller again

When I emailed them about this, they told me they're going to be showing "Terry & June", "Dick Emery", "Last of the Summer Wine" and "Sykes" in the afternoons.

Those programmes above match the programmes listed on digiguide from 1pm on Sunday 1st May on UKTV Drama . So its obviously not a mistake on digiguide as my previous post mentioned...

I expect UKTV Drama will start at 1pm from Sunday 1st May and will then go 24 hrs on Monday 30th May .

Digiguide is listing these programmes in the daytime slot of UKTV Drama: Bread, All Creatures Great & Small, Last of the Summer Wine, Upstairs Downstairs as well as the programmes listed in the above post which seem to be scheduled for weekends.

Aren't Dick Emery, Terry and June, Bread and Last of the Summer Wine comedies? Why are they putting them on a Drama Channel? Isn't that the sort of thing UK Gold should be showing instead of Dinnerladies for the 945th time.

Exactly. I did email them and ask them that but they never replied.

UKTV Drama has announced that it will be called 'UKTV Drama Daytime' during the day. Programmes that will hit our screens include -

(i) Casualty - the very beginning of the medical drama
(thank god, UKTV Gold have been repeating the exact same series over and over again!)

(ii) Bread - never seen this comedy series, so look forward to seeing that - always fancied look of it.

(iii) The Dick Emery Show - what's that again?

(iv) All Creatures Great + Small - love that programme

(v) Terry and June - can't remember that comedy series

(vi) Last of the Summer Wine - fantastic!

(vii) Sykes - can't wait for that!

(viii) The Onedin Line - at last something truly 'classic'. Can't wait for that either!

Silent Witness and premiere films will also come to the channel. Great programmes coming to UKTV Drama but strange mix of drama + comedy. Take it these shows won't be showing on UKTV Gold. Will Gold become a comedy channel?

Does anyone else think here that UKtv Gold is fizzling out? UKTV Drama may ironically become more popular than GOLD!

post thoughts

Jesus Christ, I wouldn't even bother. I'm surprised it's getting a run on UKTV Drama, though the rest of the line-up looks alright, you got a good mix of old drama and comedy there.

At least UKTV are letting it go 24 hours, I thought they were going to kill it off, as it's broadcasting hours were getting reduced even more.

I personally think there should be UKTV Drama channel for just drama, and UKTV Comedy channel then use UKTV Gold as mix of the best of both plus a few old gems of their own. UKTVG2 could become more of a cult channel with repeats of the old TOTP's, The Young Ones, the odd kids classic, etc. That would give UKTV viewers a broader choice of vintage TV.

Noticed that UKTV Drama is now broadcasting (from today) daily from 1pm. The schedule line-up is not too bad - Sykes, Dick Emery and Terry+June on this afternoon. All Creatures Great + Small, Band of Brothers and Upstairs, Downstairs will hit DRAMA screens on weekdays.

Are you now encouraged to watch more of UKTV Drama?
I wonder if viewing figures will rise drastically or just remain the same?