The UKTV network, the cable channels co-owned by Flextech and the BBC, are considering launching two new channels - UK Nature and UK Comedy - their programme content pretty self-evident.
A comedy channel would be an interesting addition because last year the network axed its Play UK channel which combined music and comedy programming. At the time Flextech argued there was too much crossover between the comedy programming on Play UK, and the comedy screened on the network’s flagship channel UK Gold. However some thought the timing of the station's axing was convenient – Play UK was positioned as a 'youth station' at launch and was axed as the BBC started its plans to launch its youth station BBC 3.
Play UK was somewhat unique within the UKTV network for the amount of original programming it aired (most of the UK channels rely on BBC archive for its programming). Whether original shows would be commissioned for UK Comedy, or if the classic comedy strands of the UK Gold schedules would just be shifted onto the new channel, remains to be seen.