TV Home Forum

UKTV Rebrand and new channel

Feb 2010 - Back to 'Gold' again (June 2008)

This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive
ST
Stuart
BroadcastNow posted:
The new entertainment channel will...be given a name this summer that will not include the UKTV brand, although using a first name, in the style of Dave, has been ruled out. It will sit alongside UKTV Gold in the slot currently occupied by Gold+1.

It seems odd that they would remove the Gold+1 service which I imagine is quite popular. Perhaps they will actually remove Drama+1 (which is a fairly recent addition in the last couple of years) and use that slot for Gold+1.
BE
benjy
StuartPlymouth posted:
benjy posted:
Actually I don't think they particularly need to think of new names - they all seem to work pretty well as they are - Gold, Dave, Drama, History, People, Documentary, Style, Homes, Gardens and Food. At least then they maintain their link with UKTV in peoples' minds rather than being drastically changed. As others have said, there is no way they can think of clever enough names that actually work for all of them, whilst also explaining what their content is.

Well they can't just drop the UKTV from History as there is another successful channel of that name. I've never heard of UKTV Homes!


Confused Me neither! I just listed the ones on the UKTV website. It appears to be a strand on UKTV Style. But anyway... Strictly speaking, the channel I think you're referring to is called "The History Channel" but perhaps "History" isn't different enough.
JO
Jon
StuartPlymouth posted:
BroadcastNow posted:
The new entertainment channel will...be given a name this summer that will not include the UKTV brand, although using a first name, in the style of Dave, has been ruled out. It will sit alongside UKTV Gold in the slot currently occupied by Gold+1.

It seems odd that they would remove the Gold+1 service which I imagine is quite popular. Perhaps they will actually remove Drama+1 (which is a fairly recent addition in the last couple of years) and use that slot for Gold+1.

It doesn't say the new channel will replace the service, just the slot, with Gold+1* moved further up the EPG I would assume.

*Or down depending how you look at it.
ST
Stuart
wells posted:
It doesn't say the new channel will replace the service, just the slot, with Gold+1* moved further up the EPG I would assume.
*Or down depending how you look at it.

Well, as there are no 'new' slots available on Sky, then they either lose it or replace Drama+1/Dave+1 as they are the only other +1s in the entertainment section.
JO
Jon
StuartPlymouth posted:
wells posted:
It doesn't say the new channel will replace the service, just the slot, with Gold+1* moved further up the EPG I would assume.
*Or down depending how you look at it.

Well, as there are no 'new' slots available on Sky, then they either lose it or replace Drama+1/Dave+1 as they are the only other +1s in the entertainment section.

Yes I assume Gold+1 will replace one of those channels.
BE
benjy
Anyone else noticed the UKTV statement appears to say that there'll be not just one, but two new channels?

Quote:
Matthew Littleford, UKTV Controller explains: "We've already got the number one pay channel, Gold, in entertainment. Building on that position of strength, we've decided to take the bold decision to launch two new entertainment channels and re-brand Gold, all by Q4 this year. The scale of change at UKTV demonstrates the magnitude of our ambition and will future-proof our business as we head towards 2012."


http://uktv.co.uk/uktv/item/aid/602772
ST
Stuart
benjy posted:
Anyone else noticed the UKTV statement appears to say that there'll be not just one, but two new channels?

I think they are referring to the rebranded 'Gold' as a new channel aswell because the content will be adjusted slightly.

benjy posted:
StuartPlymouth posted:
I've never heard of UKTV Homes!

Confused Me neither! I just listed the ones on the UKTV website. It appears to be a strand on UKTV Style.

So it is. I wonder whether, if successful, they would turn it into a seperate channel to replace UKTV Style 2 (which seems to be just another time-shift channel in addition to Style+1). That could be the 'other channel' you refer to above Benjy.
MI
Michael
I think pres could be similar to BBC 1991-1997 - with the channel name in the centre of the screen, and a little UKTV at the bottom - so that the channel name will just be "Gold", "Dave", "Nicked", "RJTV" etc... and the little UKTV will reinforce the company name.....

...or I could be bonkers.
ST
Stuart
Alexia posted:
I think pres could be similar to BBC 1991-1997 - with the channel name in the centre of the screen, and a little UKTV at the bottom - so that the channel name will just be "Gold", "Dave", "Nicked", "RJTV" etc... and the little UKTV will reinforce the company name.....

...or I could be bonkers.

I don't think it's you who is bonkers, Alexia. I think UKTV have been swept away by the success of 'Dave' and think they can repeat it across their portfolio.

On screen identity is one thing, but I know where 'Dave' is on the EPG because it's unique and it's on the first page. I'm not going to be too interested in hunting for 'Chat', 'Alibi', 'Lawrence' or any other name they come up with when I'm flicking through the next 30 pages of the EPG.

I'm sure the casual/occasional viewer only spots the others because they have UKTV at the start of the channel name. I think they're in danger of making a big mistake. The problem is that by the time they realise and reverse the decision in a couple of years they will have lost the brand identity altogether.
MI
Michael
I'm glad I've found someone who doesn't think I'm bonkers!

Dave's advertising team however.... in the middle of HIGNFY just now we had a family-friendly DS advert, one for Canestan Duo thrush cream, one for L'oreal shampoo and one for a period pain relief medication.

Dave - the channel for men? Could they have played out Living's ads instead? Rolling Eyes
IS
Inspector Sands
StuartPlymouth posted:

I'm sure the casual/occasional viewer only spots the others because they have UKTV at the start of the channel name. I think they're in danger of making a big mistake. The problem is that by the time they realise and reverse the decision in a couple of years they will have lost the brand identity altogether.


Do you really think that the prefix 'UKTV' is that much of a draw? It really doesn't have that much resonance with the public as Discovery... or BBC...

If they react to a channel name they're far more likely to do so with something ceative like 'Dave' than something totally dull and Ronseal like 'UKTV Food' or 'UKTV Gardens'
GR
gregmc
Inspector Sands posted:
StuartPlymouth posted:

I'm sure the casual/occasional viewer only spots the others because they have UKTV at the start of the channel name. I think they're in danger of making a big mistake. The problem is that by the time they realise and reverse the decision in a couple of years they will have lost the brand identity altogether.


Do you really think that the prefix 'UKTV' is that much of a draw? It really doesn't have that much resonance with the public as Discovery... or BBC...

If they react to a channel name they're far more likely to do so with something ceative like 'Dave' than something totally dull and Ronseal like 'UKTV Food' or 'UKTV Gardens'


If you speak to people, down the pub or just in conversation, you'll be surprised how affective the Dave brand campaign has been. Dave is stronger than UKTV G2 ever was.You wouldn't hear people talking about what was on last night on UKTV G2 would you?!

Newer posts