The service launched on 4 August 2014 and offers catch-up programming and live broadcasts from UKTV's free-to-air channels (U&Dave, U&Drama, U&W, U&Eden, and U&Yesterday).

[2] Prior to its launch, each UKTV channel had their own on-demand services.

UKTV Play launched on iOS in August, on PC, YouView and Virgin Media in November[3] and on Android in February 2015.

[4] The service would then launch on Freeview Play in August 2016,[5] on Roku and Sky UK's Now in February 2018,[6] and on Freesat and Samsung smart TVs in September 2018.

[7] Following the relaunch of W as a free-to-air service, the channel's shows would become available to watch for free on UKTV Play.