UKTV takes key content to Amazon Fire TV, TV Stick


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Editor

| 21 October 2015





Amazon has boosted the UK content bouquet for its Fire TV and Fire TV Stick products by inking a programming deal with UKTV.


Effective immediately, the deal will see the UKTV Play on-demand service available as a free app in the Apps section of Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV stick. The service provides catch-up and on-demand access to programmes from UKTV's free-to-air channels Dave — the UK's leading non-PSB channel — Yesterday, Really and Drama.

New content added to the service in August - includingthe UK premiere of hit US show Last Man on Earth, series five of the hugely popular Suits and brand new comedy panel show Taskmaster - drove a 92% increase in Dave VOD views on PC, mobile devices and YouView. The boost contributed to what the UKTV said was its service's most successful month ever across those platforms.

UKTV Play launched last summer and has been rolled out across multiple devices and platforms. Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick join YouView, Virgin TV and BT TV in offering the on-demand service, which is also available on iOS, Android and PC.

Content on the service is compiled into intuitive collections featuring programmes from across the network and viewers' favourite stars recommend their choice of shows via dynamic staff and celebrity picks. Users can also create their own bespoke collections via a My List feature.

"As UKTV Play passes its first birthday, this launch marks another exciting step in the growth of the service," commented UKTV CEO Darren Childs. "UKTV continues to invest in its on demand services and in making brilliant, original programming, meaning our viewers can watch their favourite UKTV shows such as Dave Gorman Modern Life is Goodish and Taskmaster anytime, anywhere. UKTV is attracting more viewers than ever before and now Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick users can also enjoy the extensive range of programming UKTV Play has to offer."

Added Amazon Appstore vice president Steve Rabuchin: "UKTV Play is another great addition to the Amazon Fire TV platform. With Fire TV, we're building a world-class open ecosystem that delivers access to the best catch-up and on-demand TV services, and UKTV Play will enable our customers to enjoy even more high quality and original British programming than ever before."