UKTV Gold 2 to be launched on Freeview

UKTV G2, the comedy and factual entertainment channel currently found on Sky, is to be added to the Freeview platform next month. This is a significant announcement for British comedy fans as it means anyone with digital TV will now be able to watch UKTV G2's comedy re-runs for free.

The channel's catalogue of comedy shows currently includes Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, QI, They Think It's All Over, Bottom (pictured), Harry Enfield, Little Britain, Red Dwarf, The Catherine Tate Show and The Fast Show.

Launching on the Freeview platform on the 15th of October, the channel will undergo a re-branding to become 'Dave'. UKTV explained the reason for the bizarre name was that "everyone knows a bloke called Dave".

'Dave' will broadcast every day from 7am – 3am on Freeview channel 19, replacing UKTV Bright Ideas which currently holds that slot. The channel will remain on UKTV G2's former slot on Sky channel 111 and Virgin TV channel 125.

Channel head Steven North said: "With a schedule for which most broadcasters would give their eye teeth, UKTV G2 is an incredibly successful channel with 10 million viewers in pay homes each month, but with relatively low brand awareness. Changing the channel name to 'Dave' enables us to create a strong and noisy personality for the channel that immediately aligns us with our core 16-34 male audience."

Industry experts are commenting that this plan to re-arrange its channels is likely to be a very shrewd move by UKTV - 'Dave' is likely bring the UKTV franchise an increased audience share thanks to the popular shows in the UKTV G2 catalogue; certainly a larger audience share than sister station UKTV Bright Ideas currently manages on Freeview channel 19.

Re-tune your Freeview box on the 15th of October to receive 'Dave'.