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{{EngvarB|date=April 2018}}
{{Infobox TV channel
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
| name = Watch
{{Infobox TV channel
| logofile = Watch (UKTV) logo.png
| logosize = 200px
| name = W
| logoalt =
| logofile = UKTV_channel_W_logo.png
| launch = 7 October 2008
| logosize = 150px
| share = 0.4%<br>
| logoalt =
| share as of = April 2009|
| launch = 7 October 2008<br> (as Watch)
| share = 0.38%<br>0.03% (+1)
| share source = [http://www.barb.co.uk/viewingsummary/monthreports.cfm?report=monthgmulti BARB]
| slogan = "See it. Love it. Share it"
| share as of = {{Start date|df=yes|2017|11}}
| share source = [http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/monthly-viewing-summary?_s=4 BARB]
| owner = [[UKTV]]<br><small>([[BBC Worldwide]]/[[Virgin Media Television]])</small>
| owner = [[UKTV]]<br><small>([[BBC Studios]]/<br>[[Discovery Networks Northern Europe]])</small>
| country = [[United Kingdom]]
| country = United Kingdom<br>Ireland
| picture format = [[PAL]] ([[576i]], [[16:9]])
| broadcast area = United Kingdom<br>Ireland
| sister names = [[Alibi (TV channel)|Alibi]]<br>[[Dave (TV channel)|Dave]]<br>[[G.O.L.D.]]
| picture format = [[576i]] ([[16:9]]) ([[Standard-definition television|SDTV]])<br>[[1080i]] ([[High-definition television|HDTV]])
| timeshift names = Watch+1
| sister names = [[Alibi (TV channel)|Alibi]]<br />[[Dave (TV channel)|Dave]]<br />[[Drama (UK TV channel)|Drama]]<br />[[Eden (TV channel)|Eden]]<br />[[Gold (UK TV channel)|Gold]]<br />[[Good Food]]<br />[[Home (TV channel)|Home]]<br />[[Really (TV channel)|Really]]<br />[[Yesterday (TV channel)|Yesterday]]
| web = [http://www.justwatch.co.uk/ justwatch.co.uk]
| former names = Watch <small>(2008–16)</small>
| sat serv 1 = [[Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)|Sky Digital]]
| timeshift names = W +1
| sat chan 1 = Channel 109 <br> Channel 155 (+1)
| web = {{url|w.uktv.co.uk}}
| sat serv 1 = [[Sky UK|Sky]]
| sat chan 1 = Channel 109 (SD/HD)<br>Channel 209 (+1)<br>Channel 809 (SD)
| cable serv 1 = [[Virgin Media]]
| cable serv 1 = [[Virgin Media]]
| cable chan 1 = Channel 124 <br> Channel 125 (+1)
| cable chan 1 = Channel 125<br>Channel 131 (+1)<br>Channel 191 (HD)
| cable serv 2 = [[Virgin Media Ireland]]
| cable chan 2 = Channels 160 & 512
| iptv serv 1 = [[BT TV]]
| iptv chan 1 = Channel 311<br>Channel 383 (HD)
| iptv serv 2 = [[TalkTalk TV]]
| iptv chan 2 = Channel 311
| iptv serv 3 = [[Plusnet]]
| iptv chan 3 = Channel 311
| iptv serv 4 = [[Eir (telecommunications)|Eir Vision]]
| iptv chan 4 = Channel 109
| online serv 1 = [[TVPlayer]]
| online chan 1 = [http://www.tvplayer.com/watch/w Watch live] (UK only)
| online serv 2 = [[Sky Go]]
| online chan 2 = [http://go.sky.com/ Watch live] (UK and Ireland only)
}}
}}
'''W''' (formerly '''Watch''') is a British general entertainment channel broadcasting in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as part of the [[UKTV]] network. The channel launched on 7 October 2008 on satellite through [[Sky UK|Sky]], [[BT TV]], [[TalkTalk TV]] and [[TVPlayer]].<ref name="BT Vision">{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a372534/uktv-agrees-on-demand-channels-deal-with-bt-vision.html|title=UKTV agrees on-demand, channels deal with BT Vision|publisher=Digital Spy|date=22 March 2012}}</ref> On 15 February 2016, the channel was rebranded as W.<ref name="W">{{cite web|url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/watch-rebrands-w/1379449|title=Watch rebrands to w|publisher=campampaignlive|date=15 January 2016}}</ref>


==History==
'''Watch''' is a general entertainment channel broadcasting in the United Kingdom, as part of [[UKTV]]. The channel was launched on 7 October 2008 on Sky Digital channel 109 and Virgin TV channel 124.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uktv.co.uk/uktv/item/aid/603804|title=UKTV unveils new channel brands|accessdate=2008-07-10}}</ref>
The channel launched on 7 October 2008 as the new flagship channel for the UKTV network of channels. The channel would feature general entertainment programmes, primarily from the programme archive of the [[BBC]], who own a 50% share of the network through the corporation's commercial arm [[BBC Worldwide]]. The channel featured flagship programmes from the BBC, such as ''[[Torchwood]]'', general entertainment programmes from the corporation and international variations to popular current British programming, such as ''[[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]]'' (US version of popular BBC programme ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'') and the various American editions of ''[[Wipeout (2008 U.S. game show)|Wipeout]]'', which is titled as ''Total Wipeout USA'' to avert confusion with the [[Total Wipeout|same-named British programme]]. The channel also featured programmes displaced following the repositioning of other UKTV channels, such as the move of all non-crime drama to the channel following [[Alibi (TV channel)|Alibi]]'s launch, and programming already shown on other UKTV channels in greater numbers, such as ''[[Traffic Cops]]''. The Watch Channel Controller is currently Paul Moreton.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uktv.co.uk/uktv/item/aid/603804|title=UKTV unveils new channel brands!|accessdate=10 July 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080712053401/http://uktv.co.uk/uktv/item/aid/603804|archive-date=12 July 2008|dead-url=yes|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


==Timeshift==
UKTV chief executive David Abraham told journalists on 10 July 2008 that details of [[Richard & Judy|the new Richard and Judy programme]] had yet to be confirmed, however on 22 August it was announced that, starting from 7 October, their show will debut weekdays at 8pm<ref>[http://uktv.co.uk/uktv/quiz/aid/605532]</ref>.
The channel also operates a timeshift service, called '''W +1''', where the programme schedule is repeated by the channel one hour later. The channel receives no special branding, with the occasional exception of a special [[Digital on-screen graphic]] (DOG). It launched the same day as the main Watch channel on 7 October 2008 and was reported by AGB Nielsen Media Research on 2 September 2008.


==W HD==
AGB Nielsen Media Research reported on 2 September that '''Watch +1''' will launch on the same day as Watch (7 October).
On 29 July 2011, [[UKTV]] announced that it had secured a deal with [[Sky UK|Sky]] to launch three more [[High-definition television|high-definition]] channels on their platform. As part of Virgin Media's deal to sell its share of UKTV, all five of UKTV's HD channels would also be added to Virgin's cable television service by 2012. '''Watch HD''' launched on 12 October 2011 on Sky and Virgin Media, two days after [[Dave (TV channel)|Dave HD]], while [[Alibi (TV channel)|Alibi HD]] launched in July 2012. All three channels are HD [[simulcast]]s of the [[Standard-definition television|standard-definition]] channels.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://uktv.co.uk/network/item/aid/646048|title=UKTV enters VoD market with landmark HD content deal with Sky|publisher=UKTV|date=29 July 2011|access-date=29 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107010131/http://uktv.co.uk/network/item/aid/646048|archive-date=7 November 2011|dead-url=yes|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/04a841ee-c729-11e0-a9ef-00144feabdc0.html|title=Virgin Media sells £239m stake in UKTV!|publisher=Financial Times|date=15 August 2011|archiveurl=http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:-cz51SAczqUJ:www.ft.com/cms/s/0/04a841ee-c729-11e0-a9ef-00144feabdc0.html#axzz1VI55De3n|archivedate=17 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://my.virginmedia.com/customer-news/articles/UKTVNew/|title=Virgin TV just got even bigger!|publisher=Virgin Media|accessdate=4 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011064522/http://my.virginmedia.com/customer-news/articles/UKTVNew/|archive-date=11 October 2011|dead-url=yes|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


==Identity==
Current music used in the background of the television advertisements is 'You Will Leave A Mark' by Oxford band A Silent Film.


===2008–2016===
[[Virgin Media]] customers were disappointed by the channel not being included in the "Medium" and "Large" packages offered by the company, despite Virgin co-owning the UKTV brand with the BBC.<ref>UKTV Messageboards: "Can you actually get WATCH on Virgin media 124?" - [http://uktv.co.uk/watch/Thread/threadID/41976/]</ref> On 15 October 2008 '''Watch''' was launched on the large package. Only customers on the XL TV package can receive '''Watch +1'''.
When Watch launched in October 2008, along with G.O.L.D. and Alibi, the original on screen identity featured a large eyeball nicknamed 'Blinky'. The music used in the background of the television advertisements is 'You Will Leave a Mark' by Oxford band A Silent Film. The channels original [[Station identification|idents]] featured a liveaction video of the eyeball being pushed around by a large and varied group of people around various settings until the eyeball ends up in the centre of the screen and the Watch name appears at the bottom of the screen. The set of four idents were produced by [[Red Bee Media]] for the channel. However, in April 2009, the four existing idents were edited by [[Aardman Animations]] to make the inflatable eyeball blink. In addition, four new CGI idents were introduced as well as the edited idents and in May 2010, a new ident for ''Scream if You Know the Answer!''

During May 2010, UKTV were reportedly planning to overhaul the brand identity of Watch, after only eighteen months in operation. The broadcaster held a branding agency pitch and made an appointment within a month, with the review was being handled by creativebrief. The work included the creation of a fresh logo, strap-line and tone of voice for the channel, however, a spokeswoman for UKTV denied suggestions that the broadcaster would change the name of the channel and said that the overhaul was about "tweaking the brand and aligning it better with our overall strategy".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/1003869/UKTV-plans-brand-overhaul-Watch/|title=UKTV plans brand overhaul for Watch|publisher=Marketing|date=18 May 2010}}</ref>

The new Watch logo and channel presentation launched on 23 September 2010, focusing on the idea that "TV is better shared!". The new identity, created by agency Harriman Steel, includes a new strapline, "Watch... together", along with new idents, end frames and a new logo. The idents feature a scene against a black background with various elements of the scene being provided, by people in black outfits. The scenes progress with the appearance of the film being seen in reverse until the ident pans to a screen displaying three phrases related to the scene ending with the word "together." before the Watch logo is placed over the last phrase forming the channel tagline. Other promotional material makes use of the channel tagline or the appearance that the channel promotions are held in place by the black dressed men, as seen by the various covered hands shown at the edge of promotion end boards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marketingweek.co.uk/sectors/media/news/uktv-wants-viewers=to-%E2%80%98watch%E2%80%A6together%E2%80%99/3018569.article|title=UKTV wants viewers to 'Watch... together'!|publisher=Marketing Week|date=23 September 2010}}</ref>

On 23 January 2012, it was announced that Watch would receive a rebrand for a second time, created by DixonBaxi, and was to be launched on 7 February 2012,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2012/01/23/rebrand-for-uktvs-watch/|title=Rebrand for UKTV's Watch|last=Clover|first=Julian|work=Broadband TV News|date=23 January 2012|accessdate=24 January 2012}}</ref> but new idents were made on 9 March 2012.

===2016–present===
On 15 January 2016, it was announced that Watch would be rebranded as W on 15 February 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://corporate.uktv.co.uk/news/article/uktv-reveals-w-premium-entertainment-channel/ |title=UKTV reveals W: a premium entertainment channel |publisher=UKTV |date=15 January 2016 |accessdate=15 January 2016}}</ref>

==Logos==
<gallery>
File:Watch (UKTV) logo.png|7 October 2008 – 22 September 2010
File:Watch logo 2010.png|23 September 2010 – 12 February 2012
File:Watch logo 2012.png|13 February 2012 – 14 February 2016
File:UKTV_channel_W_logo.png|15 February 2016 – present
</gallery>


==Programming==
==Programming==
The output of the channel is mainly British programmes and sometimes feature-length films. These are a combination of internally produced shows, repeats of shows from the [[BBC]] archive, and overseas versions of popular British shows.


===Current===
[[BBC]] programmes are obviously edited to fit the time slot, an original broadcast for an hour long programme on the BBC might be as much as 58 minutes long, the same programme here might be 42 minutes long without the commercials.
The channel broadcasts a variety of programmes from the archives of the [[BBC]] and from international broadcasters. The following programmes are currently airing on the channel:
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
* 999 Rescue Squad
*''[[Beverly Hills Pawn]]''
*''[[The Bill]]''
*''[[Border Patrol (TV series)|Border Patrol]]''
*''[[Boston's Finest]]''
* Booze Patrol Australia
*''[[The Catherine Tate Show]]''
*''Celebrity Advice Bureau''
*''Celebrity Haunted Mansion''
*''Celebrity Haunted Mansion: High Spirits''
*''[[Celebrity MasterChef]]''
* Choccywoccydoodah
*''[[Code Black (TV series)|Code Black]]''
*''[[Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders]]''
*''[[Crisis (TV series)|Crisis]]''
*''David Beckham: Into The Unknown''
*''[[Derren Brown]]''
*''[[DIY SOS]]''
*''[[Doctor Who]]''
*''[[Dynamo: Magician Impossible]]''
*''[[Extreme Makeover: Home Edition]]''
*''[[Gavin & Stacey]]''
*''[[Grimm (TV series)|Grimm]]''
*''[[Heston's Fantastical Food]]''
* Honey I Bought The House
*''[[In the Club (TV series)|In the Club]]''
*''[[I've Got Something To Tell You]]''
*''[[John Bishop: In Conversation With...]]''
*''[[Jonathan Creek]]''
*''[[Luther (TV series)|''Luther'']]''
*''[[MasterChef USA]]''
*''Million Dollar Intern''
*''[[The Musketeers]]''
*''[[My Family]]''
*''Nev's Indian Call Centre''
*''Nick Knowles' Original Features''
*''[[Oddities (TV series)|Oddities]]''
*''[[One Born Every Minute]]''
*''[[Outnumbered (UK TV series)|Outnumbered]]''
*''[[Russell Howard's Good News]]
*''Sea City''
*''[[Sherlock (TV series)|Sherlock]]''
*''Stacey Dooley Investigates''
*''The Secrets in My Family''
*''[[The Strain (TV series)|The Strain]]''
*''[[Tipping Point (game show)|Tipping Point]]''
*''[[Traffic Cops]]''
*''[[The Wave (2018 TV series)|The Wave]]
*''[[W1A (TV series)|W1A]]''
*''[[Who Do You Think You Are? (UK TV series)]]''
*''[[Who Do You Think You Are? (U.S. TV series)]]''
{{div col end}}


===Current Programming===
===Previous===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
*''[[Absolutely Fabulous]]''
*''[[Alcatraz (TV series)|Alcatraz]]''
*''[[Atlantis (TV series)|Atlantis]]''
*''Bailiffs''
*''Battlechefs''
*''[[Beauty & the Beast (2012 TV series)|Beauty & the Beast]]''
*''[[Being Human (North American TV series)|Being Human]]''
*''[[Believe (TV series)|Believe]]''
*''Ben Earl: Trick Artist''
*''Best In Town''
*''[[Betty White's Off Their Rockers]]''
*''Bin There, Dump That''
*''[[Blues and Twos]]''
*''[[The Blue Planet]]''
*''[[Border Patrol (U.S. TV series)]]''
*''Cars, Cops And Criminals''
*''Celebrity Haunted Hotel Live''
*''Celebrity Haunted Hotel: Do Not Disturb''
*''Choccywoccydoodah: Starstruck''
*''Coastguard Florida''
*''Confessions from the Underground''
*''[[Covert Affairs]]''
*''Dangerman: The Incredible Mr. Goodwin''
*''[[Daredevil (TV series)|Daredevil]]''
*''[[David Attenborough's Natural Curiosities]]''
*''[[Dynamo: Magician Impossible]]''
*''Dynamo Live at The O2''
*''[[EastEnders]]''
*''Emergency Bikers''
*''[[Escape to the Country]]''
*''[[Fake or Fortune?]]''
*''Flights & Fights - Inside The Low Cost Airlines''
* Get Me to the Church
*''[[The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook]]''
*''[[Haunted Collector]]''
*''[[Haunted Highway]]''
*''[[Helicopter Heroes]]''
*''[[Hollywood Treasure]]''
*''[[The Honourable Woman]]''
*''[[Human Planet]]''
* Humble Pie
*''[[Iceland Foods: Life in the Freezer Cabinet]]''
* Jackpots And Jinxes: Lottery Stories
* Katherine Mills: Mind Games
* Kolkata with Sue Perkins
*''[[MasterChef Australia]]''
* MasterChef USA Junior
*''[[Cutting Edge (TV series)|The Men Who Jump Off Buildings]]''
* My Breasts And I
* My Flat - Pack Home
* Nigel Marven's Cruise Ship Adventure
*''[[Paranormal Witness]]''
*''[[Perception (U.S. TV series)|Perception]]''
*''[[Planet Dinosaur]]''
*''[[Planet Earth (2006 TV series)|Planet Earth]]''
*''[[Pointless]]''
*''[[Pride and Prejudice (1995 TV series)|Pride and Prejudice]]''
*''[[Primeval: New World]]''
*''[[Recruits: Paramedics]]''
* Rescue: Code One
*''[[The Restoration Man]]''
*''[[Resurrection (U.S. TV series)|Resurrection]]''
* Rick Stein's Far Eastern Odyssey
* Road Patrol Australia
*''[[The Route Masters: Running London's Roads]]''
* The Roux Scholarship 2013
* Sara Cox on Friendship
*''[[Secrets and Lies (U.S. TV series)|Secrets and Lies]]''
* Seven Envelopes
*''[[Silk (TV series)|Silk]]''
* Singing in the Rainforest
*''[[Sky Cops]]''
* Sophie on Fame
* Stacey Dooley in Australia
* Stansted: The Inside Story
*''[[Stranded (TV series)|Stranded]]''
* Supersize My Job
*''[[Undercover Boss (UK TV series)|Undercover Boss]]''
* World's Most Talented
*''[[The World's Strictest Parents]]
{{div col end}}

The channel also produced and broadcast the programmes: ''[[Baywatch]]'', ''[[Richard & Judy|Richard & Judy's New Position]]'', ''[[The Borrowers (TV miniseries)|The Borrowers]]'', ''[[Tarrant Lets the Kids Loose]]'', ''[[Hart of Dixie]]'', ''[[Primeval (TV series)|Primeval]]'', ''[[The Weakest Link (UK game show)|The Weakest Link]]'', ''[[Walking with...]]'', ''[[Love Soup]]'', ''[[Dancing with the Stars]]'', ''[[Outtake TV]]'', and ''[[Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps]]'' for a time, however, these are no longer broadcast.

===Most watched programmes===

The following is a list of the 11 most watched shows on W, based on Live +7 data supplied by ''[[BARB]]'' up to 7 February 2016.<ref name="barb">[[BARB]], via [http://www.barb.co.uk/whats-new/weekly-top-10?]</ref> The number of viewers does not include repeats or Watch +1.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
!Rank
!Show
!Episode
!Viewers
!Date
|-
|-
| 1 || ''[[Dynamo: Magician Impossible]]'' || 2.01 || 1,927,000 || 5 July 2012
! Name of TV Show !! Original Channel !! Original Run
|-
|-
| [[A Life of Grime]] || [[BBC One]] || 1999-2006
| 2 || ''[[Dynamo: Magician Impossible]]'' || 2.02 || 1,826,000 || 12 July 2012
|-
|-
| 3 || ''[[Dynamo: Magician Impossible]]'' || 2.03 || 1,793,000 || 19 July 2012
| [[Animal Park]] || [[BBC Two]] || 2000-present
|-
|-
| 4 || ''[[Dynamo: Magician Impossible]]'' || 1.04 || 1,441,000 || 28 July 2011
| [[Antiques Roadshow]] || [[BBC One]] || 1979-present
|-
|-
| 5 || ''[[Dynamo: Magician Impossible]]'' || 1.02 || 1,391,000 || 14 July 2011
| [[Bailiffs]] || ? || ????-????
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"| 6= || ''[[Dynamo: Magician Impossible]]'' || 1.03 || 1,384,000 || 21 July 2011
| [[Bargain Hunt]] || [[BBC One]] || 2000-present
|-
|-
| [[Big Cat Diary]] || [[BBC One]] || 1996-present
| ''[[Dynamo: Magician Impossible]]'' || 2.04 || 1,384,000 || 26 July 2012
|-
|-
| 8 || ''[[Alcatraz (TV series)|Alcatraz]]'' || 1.01 – Pilot || 1,299,000 || 13 March 2012
| [[Billy Connolly's World Tour of New Zealand]] || [[BBC]] || 2004
|-
|-
| 9 || ''[[Alcatraz (TV series)|Alcatraz]]'' || 1.06 – Paxton Petty || 1,229,000 || 17 April 2012
| [[Blues and Twos]] || [[ITV]] || 1993-1998
|-
|-
| rowspan="2"| 10= || ''[[Alcatraz (TV series)|Alcatraz]]'' || 1.08 – The Ames Brothers || 1,193,000 || 1 May 2012
| [[The Blue Planet]] || [[BBC One]] || 2001
|-
|-
| ''[[Dynamo: Magician Impossible]]'' || 3.01 || 1,193,000 || 11 July 2013
| [[Casualty (TV series)|Casualty]] || [[BBC One]] || 1986-present
|-
| [[The Catherine Tate Show]] || [[BBC Two]] || 2004-2007
|-
| [[Celebrity Masterchef]] || [[BBC One]] || 2006-Present
|-
| [[Comedy Connections]] || [[BBC One]] || 2003-present
|-
| [[Cranford (2007 TV series)|Cranford]] || [[BBC One]] || 2007
|-
| [[Dallas (TV series)|Dallas]] || [[CBS]] ([[USA]]) || 1978-1991
|-
| [[Dancing with the Stars (U.S. TV series)|Dancing with the Stars]] || [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] ([[USA]]) || 2005-present
|-
| [[The Bill]] || [[ITV]] || 1984-present
|-
| [[The Dinner Party]] || ? || ????-????
|-
| [[Doctor Who]] || [[BBC One]] || 2005-present
|-
| [[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]] || [[BBC One]] || 2000-present
|-
| [[Extreme Makeover: Home Edition]] || [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] ([[USA]])
|| 2003-present
|-
| [[The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook]] || [[BBC Two]] || 2004-present
|-
| [[Heir Hunters]] || [[BBC One]] || 2007-present
|-
| [[Holby City]] || [[BBC One]] || 1999-present
|-
| [[Jam & Jerusalem]] || [[BBC One]] || 2006-present
|-
| [[James May's 20th Century]] || [[BBC Two]] || 2007
|-
| [[Leave Us Kids Alone]] || [[BBC Three]] || 2007
|-
| [[Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends]] || [[BBC Two]] || 1998-2000
|-
| [[Love Soup]] || [[BBC One]] || 2005-present
|-
| Market Kitchen || [[UKTV Food]] || 2007-present
|-
| [[Masterchef]] || [[BBC]] || 2005-present
|-
| [[Messiah (TV series)|Messiah]] || [[BBC One]] || 2001-present
|-
| [[Mistresses (TV series)|Mistresses]] || [[BBC One]] || 2008-present
|-
| [[Murdoch Mysteries]] || [[Citytv]] ([[Canada]]) || 2008-present
|-
| [[New Tricks (TV series)]] || [[BBC One]] || 2003-present
|-
| [[Oliver Twist]] || [[BBC One]] || 2007
|-
| [[Outtake TV]] || [[BBC One]] || 2002-present
|-
| [[Planet Earth]] || [[BBC One]] || 2006
|-
| [[Wild Food|Ray Mears’ Wild Food]] || [[BBC]] || 2007
|-
| [[The Real Hustle]] || [[BBC Three]] || 2006-present
|-
| [[Real Rescues]] || [[BBC One]] || 2007-present
|-
| Rhodes Across China || [[UKTV Food]] || 2008
|-
| [[Robin Hood (2006 TV series)|Robin Hood]] || [[BBC One]] || 2006-present
|-
| [[River City]] || [[BBC One Scotland]] || 2002-present
|-
| [[Shark (TV series)|Shark]] || [[CBS]] ([[USA]]) || 2006-2008
|-
| [[Sky Cops]] || [[BBC One]] || 2006-present
|-
| [[Spooks]] || [[BBC One]] || 2002-present
|-
| [[Strictly Come Dancing]] || [[BBC One]] || 2004-present
|-
| Teen Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses || ? || ????
|-
| [[The Street (TV series)|The Street]] || [[BBC One]] || 2007-present
|-
| [[Torchwood]] || [[BBC]] || 2006-present
|-
| [[Wipeout (2008 game show)|Total Wipeout USA (AKA Wipeout)]] || [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] || 2009-present
|-
| [[Traffic Cops]] || [[BBC One]] || 2004-present
|-
| Warriors: Heroes & Villains || ? || ????-????
|-
| [[Waterloo Road (TV series)|Waterloo Road]] || [[BBC One]] || 2006-present
|-
| [[The Weakest Link (UK game show)|The Weakest Link]] || [[BBC One]]/[[BBC Two]] || 2000-present
|-
| [[Who Do You Think You Are?]] || [[BBC One]] || 2004-present
|}
|}


===Former programming===
==See also==
* [[UKTV]]

* [[Television in the United Kingdom]]
*''[[Richard & Judy]]''


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|2}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{Official website|https://w.uktv.co.uk/}} [http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/otherchannels/watch.html at TVA]
*[http://justwatch.co.uk/ Watch]


{{UKTV}}
{{UKTV}}
{{Virgin Media Television}}
{{Media in the United Kingdom|television}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Watch (Tv Channel)}}
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2008]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 2008]]
[[Category:UKTV]]
[[Category:UKTV channels]]
[[Category:UKTV channels]]

Revision as of 17:53, 30 August 2018

W
CountryUnited Kingdom
Ireland
Ownership
OwnerUKTV
(BBC Studios/
Discovery Networks Northern Europe)

W (formerly Watch) is a British general entertainment channel broadcasting in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as part of the UKTV network. The channel launched on 7 October 2008 on satellite through Sky, BT TV, TalkTalk TV and TVPlayer.[1] On 15 February 2016, the channel was rebranded as W.[2]

History

The channel launched on 7 October 2008 as the new flagship channel for the UKTV network of channels. The channel would feature general entertainment programmes, primarily from the programme archive of the BBC, who own a 50% share of the network through the corporation's commercial arm BBC Worldwide. The channel featured flagship programmes from the BBC, such as Torchwood, general entertainment programmes from the corporation and international variations to popular current British programming, such as Dancing with the Stars (US version of popular BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing) and the various American editions of Wipeout, which is titled as Total Wipeout USA to avert confusion with the same-named British programme. The channel also featured programmes displaced following the repositioning of other UKTV channels, such as the move of all non-crime drama to the channel following Alibi's launch, and programming already shown on other UKTV channels in greater numbers, such as Traffic Cops. The Watch Channel Controller is currently Paul Moreton.[3]

Timeshift

The channel also operates a timeshift service, called W +1, where the programme schedule is repeated by the channel one hour later. The channel receives no special branding, with the occasional exception of a special Digital on-screen graphic (DOG). It launched the same day as the main Watch channel on 7 October 2008 and was reported by AGB Nielsen Media Research on 2 September 2008.

W HD

On 29 July 2011, UKTV announced that it had secured a deal with Sky to launch three more high-definition channels on their platform. As part of Virgin Media's deal to sell its share of UKTV, all five of UKTV's HD channels would also be added to Virgin's cable television service by 2012. Watch HD launched on 12 October 2011 on Sky and Virgin Media, two days after Dave HD, while Alibi HD launched in July 2012. All three channels are HD simulcasts of the standard-definition channels.[4][5][6]

Identity

2008–2016

When Watch launched in October 2008, along with G.O.L.D. and Alibi, the original on screen identity featured a large eyeball nicknamed 'Blinky'. The music used in the background of the television advertisements is 'You Will Leave a Mark' by Oxford band A Silent Film. The channels original idents featured a liveaction video of the eyeball being pushed around by a large and varied group of people around various settings until the eyeball ends up in the centre of the screen and the Watch name appears at the bottom of the screen. The set of four idents were produced by Red Bee Media for the channel. However, in April 2009, the four existing idents were edited by Aardman Animations to make the inflatable eyeball blink. In addition, four new CGI idents were introduced as well as the edited idents and in May 2010, a new ident for Scream if You Know the Answer!

During May 2010, UKTV were reportedly planning to overhaul the brand identity of Watch, after only eighteen months in operation. The broadcaster held a branding agency pitch and made an appointment within a month, with the review was being handled by creativebrief. The work included the creation of a fresh logo, strap-line and tone of voice for the channel, however, a spokeswoman for UKTV denied suggestions that the broadcaster would change the name of the channel and said that the overhaul was about "tweaking the brand and aligning it better with our overall strategy".[7]

The new Watch logo and channel presentation launched on 23 September 2010, focusing on the idea that "TV is better shared!". The new identity, created by agency Harriman Steel, includes a new strapline, "Watch... together", along with new idents, end frames and a new logo. The idents feature a scene against a black background with various elements of the scene being provided, by people in black outfits. The scenes progress with the appearance of the film being seen in reverse until the ident pans to a screen displaying three phrases related to the scene ending with the word "together." before the Watch logo is placed over the last phrase forming the channel tagline. Other promotional material makes use of the channel tagline or the appearance that the channel promotions are held in place by the black dressed men, as seen by the various covered hands shown at the edge of promotion end boards.[8]

On 23 January 2012, it was announced that Watch would receive a rebrand for a second time, created by DixonBaxi, and was to be launched on 7 February 2012,[9] but new idents were made on 9 March 2012.

2016–present

On 15 January 2016, it was announced that Watch would be rebranded as W on 15 February 2016.[10]

Logos

  • 7 October 2008 – 22 September 2010
    7 October 2008 – 22 September 2010
  • 23 September 2010 – 12 February 2012
    23 September 2010 – 12 February 2012
  • 13 February 2012 – 14 February 2016
    13 February 2012 – 14 February 2016
  • 15 February 2016 – present
    15 February 2016 – present

Programming

Current

The channel broadcasts a variety of programmes from the archives of the BBC and from international broadcasters. The following programmes are currently airing on the channel:

Previous

The channel also produced and broadcast the programmes: Baywatch, Richard & Judy's New Position, The Borrowers, Tarrant Lets the Kids Loose, Hart of Dixie, Primeval, The Weakest Link, Walking with..., Love Soup, Dancing with the Stars, Outtake TV, and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps for a time, however, these are no longer broadcast.

Most watched programmes

The following is a list of the 11 most watched shows on W, based on Live +7 data supplied by BARB up to 7 February 2016.[11] The number of viewers does not include repeats or Watch +1.

Rank Show Episode Viewers Date
1 Dynamo: Magician Impossible 2.01 1,927,000 5 July 2012
2 Dynamo: Magician Impossible 2.02 1,826,000 12 July 2012
3 Dynamo: Magician Impossible 2.03 1,793,000 19 July 2012
4 Dynamo: Magician Impossible 1.04 1,441,000 28 July 2011
5 Dynamo: Magician Impossible 1.02 1,391,000 14 July 2011
6= Dynamo: Magician Impossible 1.03 1,384,000 21 July 2011
Dynamo: Magician Impossible 2.04 1,384,000 26 July 2012
8 Alcatraz 1.01 – Pilot 1,299,000 13 March 2012
9 Alcatraz 1.06 – Paxton Petty 1,229,000 17 April 2012
10= Alcatraz 1.08 – The Ames Brothers 1,193,000 1 May 2012
Dynamo: Magician Impossible 3.01 1,193,000 11 July 2013

See also

References

  1. ^ "UKTV agrees on-demand, channels deal with BT Vision". Digital Spy. 22 March 2012.
  2. ^ "Watch rebrands to w". campampaignlive. 15 January 2016.
  3. ^ "UKTV unveils new channel brands!". Archived from the original on 12 July 2008. Retrieved 10 July 2008. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "UKTV enters VoD market with landmark HD content deal with Sky". UKTV. 29 July 2011. Archived from the original on 7 November 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Virgin Media sells £239m stake in UKTV!". Financial Times. 15 August 2011. Archived from the original on 17 August 2011.
  6. ^ "Virgin TV just got even bigger!". Virgin Media. Archived from the original on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 4 October 2011. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "UKTV plans brand overhaul for Watch". Marketing. 18 May 2010.
  8. ^ "UKTV wants viewers to 'Watch... together'!". Marketing Week. 23 September 2010.
  9. ^ Clover, Julian (23 January 2012). "Rebrand for UKTV's Watch". Broadband TV News. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  10. ^ "UKTV reveals W: a premium entertainment channel". UKTV. 15 January 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  11. ^ BARB, via [1]
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