UK G2 to rerun recent hits

The BBC is to launch a new youth channel featuring such hit comedies as Shooting Stars, Coupling, I'm Alan Partridge and The League of Gentlemen.

UK G2 will launch on November 12, targeting the same 16 to 34-year-old age group as the Paramount Comedy Channel and E4.

It is a joint venture between the BBC's commercial arm and cable giant Telewest, along the same lines as existing channels like UK Gold and UK Drama.

The channel will offer the best of recent terrestrial comedy and drama, including including Have I Got News For You, The Kumars at No 42 and Spooks.

UKTV's head of entertainment and drama, Matt Tombs, said: "UK G2 will be more edgy and contemporary, with more sarcasm and wit about it.

"It will be the sharpest combination of drama, comedy, quiz and chat shows for upmarket viewers who like TV with certain bite."

UK G2 launches on November 12, and will replace UKTV's existing UK Gold 2 service between 8pm and 5am,

Published: 28 Oct 2003