UKTV launches four FAST channels as its debut in the market. Commercial broadcaster UKTV announces the launch of four Free Ad-supported Streaming TV (FAST) channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee and Pluto TV.

The news marks the broadcaster’s debut in the FAST market with further plans to build on the offer with FAST channels to launch on its free streaming service UKTV Play at a later date.

The four new channels will launch in the UK on Samsung TV Plus on Wednesday 23rd August and Amazon Freevee and Pluto TV on Thursday 24th August. The UKTV Play branded four FAST channels will provide curated access to some of UKTV’s most loved content from its free-to-air channel brands, Dave, Drama, W and Yesterday:

UKTV Play Heroes

Allows viewers to join frontline medics and police at life’s most dramatic moments, with inspiring stories of the everyday heroism of paramedics, doctors, nurses and the police. The channel features Emma Willis: Delivering BabiesInside the Ambulance999: Rescue SquadSpecial Ops: Crime SquadCop Car WorkshopInside the Operating TheatreNurses Down Under and The Shift: Women on the Force.

UKTV Play Laughs

Invites comedy lovers to sit back, relax and lose themselves in the lighter side of life. With wall-to-wall witty quips, comical chat and downright daft discussions, dedicated to tickling your funny bone, with shows starring some of the biggest names in comedy in HypotheticalMel Giedroyc: UnforgivableJudge Romesh and Comedians Giving Lectures.

UKTV Play Full Throttle

Takes viewers to the skies, the tracks or the road, with shows packed with planes, trains, cars and more. The channel allows viewers to get under the bonnet, inside the cowling and off down the tracks for riveting shows led by expert hosts including Bangers & CashArchitecture the Railways BuiltWarbird WorkshopYianni: Supercar CustomiserSecrets of the RailwaysTrain TruckersImpossible RailwaysSecrets of the London Underground, and Modern Wheels or Classic Steals.

UKTV Play Uncovered

Is for enquiring minds and delves into the darkest corners of history and engineering. Audiences are invited to explore the extraordinary, from the battlefield to the home front, ancient monoliths to modern myths, with featured titles including Abandoned EngineeringForbidden HistoryWorld War 2 From AboveWar FactoriesHistory HuntersWarbird WorkshopWorld War WeirdWorld War 2 Frontlines and Secret Nazi Bases.

The FAST launch has been led by UKTV’s Director of Advertising, Sarah Goldman and Head of Distribution, Philipp Pfister, with oversight from Jonathan Newman, General Manager, Commercial. For playout and distribution services on the partner platforms, UKTV worked with Amagi, the global leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV.