Samsung is rolling out a significant free upgrade for its television owners in the United Kingdom, enhancing the viewing experience with a wealth of new content. This blockbuster update will bring UKTV's popular free-to-air linear channels directly to Samsung screens, eliminating the need for additional devices or traditional aerials.
Seamless Integration and Enhanced Accessibility
Under this new agreement, channels such as U&DRAMA, U&Dave, U&YESTERDAY, U&W, and U&eden will be accessible via internet delivery, allowing viewers to simply plug and play. Samsung will also introduce a dedicated rail on its home screen to highlight content from the U streaming service, making classic comedies, dramas, and factual shows instantly viewable without navigating complex menus.
Partnership Strengthens Entertainment Ecosystem
Jonathan Newman, General Manager of Commercial at UKTV and BBC Studios UK and Ireland, emphasized that this deal builds on an existing strong partnership with Samsung. He stated that it will increase accessibility to the U app for Samsung customers and ensure UKTV's diverse content remains highly visible across both video-on-demand and live channels.
Dan Harvie, Vice President of Home Entertainment and Appliances at Samsung UK and Ireland, highlighted UKTV's important role in Samsung's entertainment offering. He noted that as the world's number one TV brand for 20 consecutive years, Samsung is committed to innovation that improves every aspect of the viewing experience, combining UKTV's content with services like Samsung TV Plus.
Rollout and Future Features
The channels will appear in Samsung's 'Live' tab and Universal Guide, with a deep link planned later this year to directly access the U app. While an exact launch date has not been announced, the features are expected to debut on millions of Samsung TVs in the near future, catering to viewers who rely solely on internet-based television.
