News Beat
Warner Bros. channel TLC to launch on Freeview this week
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) announced last October that it planned on launching TLC on free-to-air TV in the UK and Ireland in January 2026.
TLC is already available on paid services, including Sky and Virgin Media, in the UK, but until now has not been on free-to-air TV.
The channel currently has an average monthly reach on Sky of around 324,000 people, according to the provider’s website.
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SVP Content Strategy & Networks at WBD UK & Ireland, Graham Lafferty, said: “We are thrilled to announce a new-look line-up of content for TLC in the UK and Ireland for January 2026 – and that we are able to bring the channel to more viewers with a move to free-to-air in the UK.
“Through TLC, we are excited to commission and curate a broad entertainment channel that spans both scripted and unscripted content, including award-winning shows like The Big Bang Theory, through to a new-look British comedy staple like Mock the Week.”
BBC show axed 4 years ago to make a return on TLC
TLC is also set to feature a new-look Mock the Week, which will return to TV screens in the UK after being axed by the BBC back in 2022.
The UK’s “much-loved topical, satirical celebrity panel show” was hosted by comedian and TV presenter Dara Ó’Briain.
The show would see special guests join Ó’Briain as they reviewed the previous week’s news in a humorous manner.
Regular guests on the show included Russell Howard, Ed Byrne, Hugh Dennis, Ed Gamble, and Angela Barnes.
When will TLC launch on Freeview?
TLC will be available via Channel 12 on Freeview from Tuesday (January 13), according to RXTV.
The entertainment channel will offer viewers a “bumper” line-up of content, including several multi-award-winning shows.
What shows are available on TLC?
TV shows available on TLC in the UK will include:
- The Big Bang Theory
- Young Sheldon
- Mock the Week
- Mike & Molly
- Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
- Zero Stars
- Dr Pimple Popper
- My 600Lb Life
- 90 Day Fiancé
Other Warner Bros. channels available on Freeview
While TLC will be launching on Freeview on Tuesday, one of WBD’s other channels, HGTV, will be closing down in January 2026.
Upon the closure of the channel, some HGTV shows, including Celebrity IOU with the Property Brothers, Home Town, and My Lottery Dream Home, will be moving over to Really.
HGTV content will also continue to be available to watch on Discovery+.
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Following the planned changes in January, WBD’s free-to-air portfolio in the UK will consist of six channels:
- Quest
- Quest Red
- Food Network
- DMAX
- TLC
- Really
This free-to-air lineup will run alongside WBD’s Pay TV channels in the UK, including the Discovery Channel, Cartoon Network, and TNT Sports.
TLC launches on Freeview on Tuesday (January 13) and will be available on Channel 12.
