Strategy Verdict - UKTV goes with Dave

by Neil Jones, Media Week 23-Oct-07

Strategy: UKTV goes with Dave

Broadcaster: Virgin Media

Verdict: 4 out of 5.

"Interesting name for a channel" seems to be the reaction of the media
community to the launch of Dave from UKTV.

Formerly UKTV G2, the channel's new name was born from the observation

that everyone knows a bloke called Dave.

True, but everyone goes to the lavatory; that hardly makes it a good
name for a TV channel.

If nothing else, the name is different and for that reason has created
"talkability" and standout, so who can quibble?

What also stands out is Virgin Media's decision to launch the channel on
Freeview, thereby doubling its potential viewership.

UKTV G2 was only available in satellite and cable homes; the move to DTT
has doubled its potential viewership as Freeview is available in more
than 20 million homes.

Pay-TV broadcasters have been grappling with the success of Freeview,
weighing up the increased advertising revenue offered by larger
audiences against the loss of subscription revenue by going
free-to-air.

Virgin has a foot in both camps with Virgin One and now Dave.

The logical conclusion is that channels such as Dave will grow the
Freeview universe and thereby continue to erode pay-TV audiences,
meaning ad revenue will increasingly follow Freeview.

Dave caters to an audience - upmarket 16 to 34-year-old men - that is
not currently well served by Freeview.

Notoriously fickle, young men are the quintessential channel surfers,
and Dave has the content to attract a receptive and loyal audience with
shows like Alan Partridge, Top Gear and Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

Dave can sit comfortably alongside ITV2 and E4 as a bona fide home for
16 to 34 advertisers. It will do well.

- Review by Neil Jones, managing director, Carat.