truTV
truTV was a British free-to-air entertainment and factual television channel that operated from 2014 until its replacement by True Crime in February 2019.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
truTV was a British television channel serving the United Kingdom and Ireland that operated under the American truTV brand. It was launched on 4 August 2014 by Turner Broadcasting System as a free-to-air channel intended to bring a mixture of unscripted entertainment, factual reality, imported programming and selected original commissions to a British audience. The channel was distinct from the United States truTV service, although much of its programming originated from the American network or from related factual and reality television suppliers. The service was prepared for a Freeview launch in 2014. A placeholder appeared on Freeview channel 68 on 13 June 2014, followed by a placeholder on Sky channel 565 on 24 July. The main channel launched on 4 August 2014. Its programming included factual and reality series such as I, Detective, Bait Car, Hardcore Pawn and Container Wars, together with Fear Factor, Conan and other imported entertainment. The channel also acquired notable British rights, including RuPaul's Drag Race and America's Got Talent. In late 2016 it additionally experimented with late-night broadcasts of Adult Swim programmes, including Mr. Pickles, Robot Chicken and Rick and Morty. Turner initially indicated that it wanted to develop UK commissions after the channel had established itself. In 2015, Turner executives described original British production as a future objective, and the channel was expected to build on the popularity of its imported shows. However, audience performance was reported to be insufficient, including despite the presence of high-profile programming such as America's Got Talent. In December 2016, Turner reportedly warned that the channel could close unless a funding arrangement was reached. The planned expansion into original UK commissions did not materialize. On 16 February 2017, Sony Pictures Television acquired truTV in the United Kingdom from Turner. The channel retained the truTV name and logo under a licensing arrangement with Turner, while Turner continued to provide advertising-sales representation. Sony subsequently adjusted the channel's distribution and Freeview presence. A related truTV +1 timeshift service operated on multiple platforms, but its Freeview availability and channel allocation changed several times. In 2017, truTV programming was also supplied to blocks on Made Television's local stations, although that arrangement was later replaced by one involving CBS Reality. By early 2019, the main truTV service had been reduced on Freeview to the Greater Manchester area through the legacy local multiplex arrangement. On 12 February 2019, the UK truTV service closed and was replaced by True Crime. The closure ended the British and Irish incarnation of the brand; it did not represent the end of the separate United States truTV network.
History
The British and Irish truTV channel was created as a regional adaptation of the American truTV brand. In May 2014, Turner Broadcasting System announced that it would launch a separate UK service rather than simply distribute the United States channel. The project was positioned as a free-to-air entertainment and factual outlet, with programming drawn primarily from American reality, factual and comedy catalogues. A Freeview placeholder appeared on channel 68 on 13 June 2014, followed by a Sky placeholder on channel 565 on 24 July. The full service launched on 4 August 2014. Its schedule included series such as I, Detective, Bait Car, Hardcore Pawn, Container Wars and Fear Factor, as well as Conan and other imported factual or entertainment titles. The channel retained a stronger unscripted and reality emphasis than the American network's later comedy-focused repositioning. Turner hoped to establish a base for UK-produced programming. In early 2015, its Northern European management indicated that original commissions could be considered after the channel's first phase of operation. The service expanded its profile by acquiring RuPaul's Drag Race and becoming the UK home of America's Got Talent, while also airing Branson Famous. During late 2016, it tested a late-night block of Adult Swim programming, including Mr. Pickles, Robot Chicken and Rick and Morty. These programming additions did not solve the channel's audience difficulties. In December 2016, Turner reportedly threatened to shut the channel unless a funding deal could be finalized. The reported audience shortfall meant that the intended move into UK commissions never occurred. On 16 February 2017, Sony Pictures Television bought the channel from Turner. The acquisition did not immediately remove the consumer-facing truTV identity: the service continued to use Turner's name and logo under licence, and Turner continued to represent advertising sales. Distribution became increasingly complex after the ownership change. truTV +1 operated as a timeshift service on Freeview and Sky, with several changes to its channel numbers and availability. From May 2017, truTV programming was carried in two daily blocks on eight Made Television local services in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, Mold and Tyne and Wear. That arrangement was later replaced by a supply agreement involving CBS Reality. The main Freeview service was progressively constrained. In early 2019, truTV was removed from the broader local television distribution arrangement and became a Greater Manchester-only service on the legacy GMAN multiplex. On 12 February 2019, the channel ceased broadcasting under the truTV name and was replaced by True Crime. The closure marked the end of the UK and Ireland version of the brand, separate from the continuing American truTV network.
- 2019
truTV replaced by True Crime
[1]The UK truTV service closed on 12 February and its channel position was taken by True Crime.
- 2017
Sony Pictures Television acquisition
[1]Sony Pictures Television acquired the channel from Turner while retaining the truTV brand through a licensing arrangement.
- 2017
Made Television distribution agreement
[1]Eight Made Television local stations began carrying truTV programming in scheduled daily blocks.
- 2016
Adult Swim late-night block introduced
[1]truTV aired selected Adult Swim programmes during late-night blocks in November and December.
- 2015
UK programming expansion
[1]The channel added Branson Famous, RuPaul's Drag Race and America's Got Talent to its schedule.
- 2014
Turner announces a British truTV service
[1]Turner Broadcasting System announced plans for a separate United Kingdom version of the American truTV channel.
- 2014
Freeview placeholder launches
[1]A preliminary truTV service appeared on Freeview channel 68 on 13 June.
- 2014
Main channel launches
[1]truTV began full broadcasting on 4 August in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Products and positioning
A free-to-air, youth-oriented entertainment and factual channel built around imported reality, unscripted and comedy programming, with a limited ambition to add original UK commissions.
Free-to-air television channel · 2014
truTV
The principal British and Irish truTV service broadcast imported reality, factual, comedy and entertainment programming. Its schedule included American series such as Fear Factor, Hardcore Pawn, Container Wars, Conan and America's Got Talent, alongside selected programming acquired for the UK market. The service launched in August 2014 and closed in February 2019.
Timeshift television service · 2014
truTV +1
truTV +1 was a delayed-feed version of the main channel. It appeared on Freeview and Sky at different times, with repeated changes to its channel positions and Freeview availability. The service was used to provide viewers with programming one hour after the primary truTV broadcast.
Brand decisions
2019
Close the UK truTV serviceOtherBackground
By early 2019, the Freeview service had been reduced to Greater Manchester and the channel had not established a broad UK audience.
Action taken
The truTV service was withdrawn on 12 February 2019 and replaced by True Crime.
Aftermath
The British and Irish incarnation of truTV became defunct, although the separate United States network remained outside the scope of this closure.
2017
Sell the UK channel to Sony Pictures TelevisionM&ABackground
Turner had faced concerns about the channel's audience and financial sustainability.
Action taken
Sony Pictures Television acquired the channel on 16 February 2017, while the truTV name and logo continued under licence from Turner.
Aftermath
Sony adjusted distribution arrangements, but the channel remained a limited Freeview service and ultimately closed in 2019.
2015
Pursue original UK commissionsStrategyBackground
Turner management said the channel would consider original British programming after its initial launch period.
Action taken
The channel continued to rely mainly on imported content while adding high-profile acquired titles such as RuPaul's Drag Race and America's Got Talent.
Aftermath
The proposed commissioning programme did not proceed, amid reported audience weakness.
2014
Launch a separate UK and Ireland channelProduct launchBackground
Turner sought to adapt the American truTV brand for a British free-to-air audience rather than distribute the US service unchanged.
Action taken
It launched a dedicated channel on 4 August 2014 after establishing preliminary Freeview and Sky placeholders.
Aftermath
The channel built a schedule around imported reality, factual and entertainment programming but did not achieve the audience required for the planned expansion into UK commissions.
Sources1 sources
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