James R | On 17, Apr 2019

Live-streaming is now available on UKTV Play.

From today, viewers will be able to watch Dave, Drama, Yesterday, Really and Home live on the video on-demand service.

The step marks UKTV’s continued investment in improving its streaming platform, with live TV a core function within other catch-up services, such as BBC iPlayer and All 4. Indeed, according to figures last year, one-third of ITV Hub’s users use the platform to watch TV live.

UKTV has already been investing in AI to enhance user experience on UKTV Play. Combined with its growing line-up of original productions, the VOD service has seen consistent, rapid growth. In January, UKTV Play had its best month ever, racking up 15.3m views (on both its own platform and third party broadcasters), up 25 per cent year-on-year, and reached a major milestone by exceeding 2m registered users.

Now, the multi-channel broadcaster has teamed up with Simplestream, leaders in live, live-2-vod and on-demand OTT services. The channel streams are currently available on the UKTV Play website and will be available on UKTV Play’s mobile and TV apps in the coming months.

Detailed programme information is on offer during a live stream on UKTV Play and viewers can jump straight in to on demand episodes once a show has finished. Personalised recommendations for similar shows will also be surfaced.

Tom Davidson, general manager for UKTV Play, says: “The introduction of simulcast on UKTV Play is another exciting and important part of our strategy. The live streaming functionality seamlessly ties together the worlds of video on demand and live TV and provides viewers with a host of new benefits.”

Upcoming programme highlights across UKTV’s network this month include a slew of new and exclusive UKTV Originals: dramatic documentary series Hurricane Man (Sundays, 7pm on Dave), Yesterday’s car auctioning show, Bangers and Cash (starts Thursday 18th April, 8pm), and a brand-new series of the popular Cops UK: Bodycam Squad (Mondays at 8pm on Really from 29th April).

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