Channel 4 and UKTV today announced a multi-year carriage agreement that will offer audiences thousands of hours of free, unmissable and bingeable British content from UKTV’s U service on Channel 4 streaming.
From January 2026 Channel 4 streaming audiences will be able to find hundreds of shows from the U service. The agreement enhances the depth and range of programming on Channel 4 streaming, while expanding further availability for the U service.
The carriage deal, which will complement UKTV’s existing standalone U service, will mark the first time Channel 4 streaming has carried a third-party service on its platform and is a bold vision for collaboration between British media companies. It further accelerates Channel 4’s ambitious Fast Forward strategy to become a public service streamer, providing programming that drives streaming growth including drama, documentaries, comedy and reality.
The partnership is designed to boost the reach and scale of both services. It will scale Channel 4 streaming reach by expanding the choice of programming available to viewers, giving them access to a treasure trove of classic shows on U alongside a plethora of addictive originations, and allow UKTV to reach new audiences while still serving its loyal audience on its own platforms, with Channel 4 streaming the youngest-skewing commercial BVOD platform.
Jonathan Allan, Interim CEO, Channel 4, said: “It’s fantastic that we are building on our long and successful commercial partnership with a bold new deal with UKTV to make our Channel 4 streaming proposition even stronger for viewers. Loads of brilliant British content from U will complement our own bold, noisy shows and UKTV will benefit from tapping into our younger streaming audience.”
Marcus Arthur, CEO UKTV said: “Following record viewing to our U streaming service last year, I’m delighted to be expanding our relationship with Channel 4 through this carriage deal and offering viewers even more opportunities to watch U’s rich mix of content. UKTV has a successful history of building scale through partnerships, and this exciting opportunity demonstrates the power of media companies collaborating to drive sustained growth, with clear benefits for UKTV, Channel 4 and above all viewers.”
The deal will start in January 2026, with the U service – both catch up and boxsets – made available on Channel 4 streaming. Carriage on 4 streaming will significantly expand the footprint of U, which remains a standalone service and is available on all major connected platforms.
More details will be announced in due course.