Hard work and luck make Dave TV a success

2 December 2009

Steve North, Channel Head at UKTV, gave an inspiring lecture to BU Media School students about the launch, development and phenomenal success of the television channel ‘Dave’.

"The success of Dave has taken many industry experts by surprise, but has been achieved by a lot of hard work, creativity, innovation, research and luck,” said North who spoke to undergraduate and postgraduate students in Advertising & Marketing Communications, Producing Film & Television and Public Relations.

Formerly known as UKTV G2, the channel was renamed ‘Dave’ in 2007 and recently shortlisted for television channel of the year at the Edinburgh International Television Festival.

Following the lecture, North toured BU’s high definition television studio accompanied by Dr John Oliver of the Media School. Together, North and Oliver recently submitted a joint research paper investigating the UK independent television production industry.

UKTV is a major industry player and one of the most important and successful multi-channel providers in the UK. Formed in 1997, the broadcaster is an independent commercial joint venture, between Virgin Media and BBC Worldwide, the commercial arm of the BBC.

Attracting 36.5 million viewers each month, the network offers a broad range of quality programming across its entertainment, lifestyle and factual offerings including channels such as Watch, GOLD, Dave, Alibi, Eden, Blighty, Yesterday, Home, Really and Good Food.