WBD refreshes UK free-to-air TLC line-up, brings back Mock The Week
Dara Ó Briain returns with a new series of Mock the Week
Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) is refreshing its portfolio of free-to-air linear channels in the UK, beginning with a new-look TLC.
WBD said the redesigned channels are part of its “ongoing commitment to linear television.” The company has six free-to-air linear channels in the UK: TLC, Quest, Quest Red, Food Network, Really and DMAX.
The new-look TLC channel launches today with hit US comedy drama The Big Bang Theory, spin-off Young Sheldon and sitcom Mike & Molly. The UK premiere of Young Sheldon sequel Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage follows on January 18.
TLC will also be the home to a rebooted 9×60’ season of British panel show Mock the Week which previously aired 21 seasons between 2005 and 2021 on BBC Two and will return on February 1 produced by Angst. The stand-up comedian format will again be fronted by Dara Ó Briain.
In April, the channel will air new series Zero Stars, produced by CPL+, in which British comedians Roisin Conaty and Sara Pascoe journey across the globe, experiencing places with only the funniest and worst reviews.
Graham Lafferty, senior VP of content strategy and networks at WBD UK & Ireland, said: “Our commitment to local programming continues to be at the heart of our content strategy and as we bring our refreshed linear portfolio to market today, we do so with a strong slate of new and returning local originals – working with valued UK production partners to commission local stories and talent for local audiences.”
Meanwhile, two new series will launch on Quest this year. Guz Khan’s Custom Cars (8×60’) sees the comedian attempt to modify his own car while discovering other unconventional cars across the UK. It is produced by Ricochet and will premiere on January 19.
From Fremantle’s Naked West, Francis Bourgeois & Chris Harris: We Saved a Train (8×60’) follows the train enthusiasts as they take on the challenge of restoring a dilapidated diesel locomotive and bringing it back to life.
Returning to Quest this summer are season two of Johnny Vegas’ Little Shop of Antiques (8×60’) from Plum Productions, and the third season of ITN Productions’ Ant Anstead: Born Mechanic.
Elsewhere, WBD UK & Ireland has commissioned 4×60’ docuseries An American Serial Killer in Cairo (working title) for streamer Discovery+. Launching later this year, the series, produced by Basement Films and Kudeta Films, tells the story of how Lobna Yakout escaped her abusive husband Karim Selim, a TikTok personality who later became one of Egypt’s most notorious serial killers.
Coming to Discovery+ on February 2 is the latest season of Objective Entertainment’s Vinnie Jones in the Country (6×60’), which will be followed later this year by the sixth season of Richard Hammond’s Workshop (8×60’), produced by Chimp Productions and Krempelwood.
