UKTV’s OTT offering UKTV Play will include content in HD for the first time from November.
The broadcaster has announced it will add new content to the streamer in HD (&20p and 1080p) from November, which will be delivered via adaptive bitrate streaming. That will include shows such as Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, Bangers and Cash, MasterChef Australia and Big Zuu’s Big Eats.
Back catalogue content, for which a HD master exists, will be re-encoded in phases from mid-November onwards.
The announcement comes as UKTV Play unveils a rebrand aimed at establishing itself in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape, increasing usage and serving as the digital home of UKTV’s free-to-air channel brands; Dave, Drama, Yesterday and W.
General manager for digital, Andrea Amey, said, “This rebrand marks the beginning of a real step change for UKTV Play. With over six million registered users and thousands of new hours of content being made available on the service this year, I’m delighted that our new brand creative unites our channel brands like never before and perfectly encapsulates UKTV Play’s warm tone and playful spirit.”
The project included rebranding over 200 assets over the course of six months, all designed to echo the mix of content that UKTV Play offers viewers, said the broadcaster.
