Cher, stars in new advert from UKTV

UKTV has unveiled its latest TV advert featuring worldwide icon Cher to mark today's launch of U and celebrate the wealth of free quality content on its platform to suit all tastes. In a creative twist, the global superstar travels through some of Britain’s best-loved shows on U performing her own iconic song I Got You Babe.

The advert starts with UKTV execs pitching their creative to Cher, who, in a vision, says she “can see it now”, and immediately starts singing I Got You Babe. Along the way, Cher meets EastEnders’ Barry (Shaun Williamson), and together they perform karaoke in the Queen Vic, as well as encountering Orlando Bloom, perched on the top of rock as he tests his physical and mental strength in the self-titled UK premiere Orlando Bloom: To the Edge. The superstar has a chance to test her own nerve as she’sseen sat in the back of the car driven by Chris Kamara and Jeff Stelling, cheating death in Sri Lanka in World’s Most Dangerous Roads.

Viewers can catch a glimpse of Cher make a surprise appearance in Secrets of the London Underground, as well as many other well-loved shows including popular series Annika, which sees the Goddess of Pop perform to DI Annika Strandhed (Nicola Walker) who heads up the show's Marine Homicide Unit, as the unlikely duo don lifejackets as they sail the Scottish waters together.

The TV commercial was developed by UKTV’s in-house creative agency in partnership with HunkyDory Films, and led by Scott Russell, UKTV’s creative director. It was directed by Christian Bevilacqua, with Leanne Farleigh as senior producer, Mary Claire Seiler as head of production, and Eoin Mclaughlin was creative consultant. Penny Brough, CMO for UKTV, ordered the commercial as part of the launch of UKTV’s new masterbrand.

"Scott Russell said: “We wanted to create an ambitious advert to launch U to highlight the variety of quality programming and to stand out in a hugely competitive landscape. It had to be joyful, have content at its heart, and to tell the story of whatever you love, we’ve got U. What’s more, it needed to be memorable and have a surprise factor that was not only authentic but connected with current and new viewers. Who better to do this than mega superstar, Cher, performing a brand new version of her iconic song, I’ve Got You Babe, whilst meeting some new and familiar friends on the way?”

The advert will be available on UKTV’s beloved social and linear channels including U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&YESTERDAY and U&W from today, and supported by UKTV’s biggest ever media spend on ITV, Channel 4andSky, as well as YouTube, Facebook and TikTok.

UKTV has an ambitious growth strategy, focussed on supercharging its streaming service and growing its linear channels. A key driver of this is connecting and better leveraging the brands within UKTV's estate. The launch of this new masterbrand supports this strategy by making it easier for users to navigate both online and on-air. The simplicity of the new U brand architecture also retains the names and equity of the existing channel brands that are well-known and loved across the UK.

Consumers can find out how to stream U here.

For more information, please contact:

Ben Duncan, Consumer Publicity Manager, UKTV

Lauren Mutimer, Platform Publicist, UKTV

Charlotte Scott, Head of Consumer Communications, UKTV

Notes to Editors

#wegotu

TVC Credits

Programming on U

U will become home to thousands of hours of free content from a raft of genres, including: drama (Annika, Holby City, Madam Secretary, Sister Boniface Mysteries, A Million Little Things), comedy (Meet the Richardsons, Red Dwarf, Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week, We Are Not Alone), entertainment (Big Zuu's Big Eats, David Mitchell's Outsiders, QI, Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable, World's Most Dangerous Roads) and factual entertainment (Stacey Dooley Sleeps Over, MasterChef Australia, Katie Piper: Jailhouse Mums, Secrets of the London Underground, Bangers & Cash). U will also give viewers access to exclusive shows, award-winning originals, premiere acquisitions and iconic programmes from the BBC.

About UKTV

UKTV has been at the forefront of branded television for over 30 years, entertaining the nation with programmes they love. Its leading brands – U&Dave, U&DRAMA, U&W, U&YESTERDAY, Gold, Alibi and Eden - span comedy, entertainment, natural history, factual and drama, and are delivered to UK viewers through free streaming service U, Sky, Virgin Media, NOW, Freeview, Freesat and Freely; and to Irish viewers through Sky, Virgin Media, Eir, Vodafone and NOW. Channel & content availability varies by platform. UKTV’s content is also available to UK viewers via dedicated FAST channels on Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Freevee, Pluto TV and Virgin Media.UKTV is a significant investor in British creativity and is committed to working with new and established writers, directors and programme-makers. The broadcaster is part of BBC Studios, the UK's most-awarded production company, a world-class distributor with international branded services, and a commercial subsidiary of the world's leading public service broadcaster, the BBC.