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UKTV ANNOUNCES JOHN CLEESE, RED DWARF, JOHN SERGEANT, JOHNNY VAUGHAN, MARCUS BRIGSTOCKE AND RUFUS HOUND FOR NEW SEASON PROGRAMMING
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UKTV has revealed a stellar talent line-up including John Cleese, Marcus Brigstocke, John Sergeant, Red Dwarf and Johnny Vaughan to launch its new entertainment channels Watch, Alibi and G.O.L.D. UKTV also unveiled four exciting new commissions for award-winning channel Dave at the inaugural UKTV Entertainment Upfronts, hosted by Michael McIntyre.
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Promising to deliver simply good TV, brand new entertainment channel Watch unveiled its enviable launch schedule. Richard and Judy’s New Position (Cactus TV), launching on 7th October at 8pm forms the backbone of the channel. Packed with celebrity guests, the phenomenal Book Club as well as Thank You Britain, a campaign that focuses on acts of generosity, the new series will unleash the couple on a primetime audience.
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Top US show Dancing with the Stars with British judges Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli returns in September, and completing Watch’s schedule is the cream of contemporary programming including Mistresses, The Street, Cranford, Planet Earth and Krakatoa.
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Returning for a second series Murdoch Mysteries (13 x 60″ by Shaftesbury Films), launches on Alibi, the deadliest place on TV, in February 2009 with Alastair Mackenzie joining the series for a guest slot. Set in Victorian Toronto, Murdoch Mysteries follows the chronicles of William Murdoch, a man driven by grief to hunt down murderers using pioneering forensic techniques.
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Award winning channel Dave launches its autumn schedule with Argumental (12 x 30″ by Tiger Aspect), the panel show which positively encourages an argument and the more heated the better! John Sergeant tries to maintain order as team captains Marcus Brigstocke and Rufus Hound are joined by the very vocal Jimmy Carr, Sue Perkins, Phill Jupitus, Charlie Higson, Johnny Vegas and Frankie Boyle who get stuck into key global debates such as “there aren’t enough celebrity magazines” to “the credit crunch is no bad thing.”
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Dave’s packed October schedule also includes Batteries Not Included (6 X 60″ by Liberty Bell) a mischievous look at the mad world of gadgets. Joining John Cleese are Alex Zane, Danny Wallace, Dom Joly and Richard Herring who road test some of the strangest gadgets out there from chin gyms and baby dusters to the giant slipper.
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Back for its fifth year, Car of the Year 2008 (4 x 60″ by IWC) returns to Dave with new host Johnny Vaughan. Putting the pedal to the metal, Johnny provides a turbo-charged look back at the motoring year and asks Dave viewers to vote for their four wheeled superstars.
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Finally, Dave has commissioned a 4 x 30″ series which reunites all the cast members of Red Dwarf in an hilarious mixture of archive and new material. Red Dwarf is expected to air in 2009.
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Dedicated comedy channel G.O.L.D. (Go On Laugh Daily) launches with Blackadder: The Whole Rotten Saga (2 x 120 by Tiger Aspect). Well known names including Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Richard Curtis to name but a few come together for the first time to reveal a unique insight into this iconic comedy.
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Announcing the line up at a star studded launch, Matthew Littleford, Controller, said, “Over the last 12 months, we’ve been working closely with stellar talent and production companies to create new and exclusive programming for our entertainment channels. I am delighted our strategy is paying off with a raft of exciting shows that demonstrate our commitment to creatively connecting our viewers with great programming.”
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He continues, “Working with talent like - John Cleese, Alastair Mackenzie, Miranda Richardson, Johnny Vaughan and the legends that are Richard and Judy - together with top independent producers to create innovative and exciting new commissions is the biggest signal we can give to the industry and our viewers that we are committed to bringing the best programmes to UKTV.”
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For more details, please visit uktv.co.uk
