ITV Studios, in partnership with Samsung TV Plus, Samsung's free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service, launched an exclusive, new, and dedicated channel featuring back-to-back episodes of "The Graham Norton Show." The channel marks the debut of the immensely popular entertainment show on advertising-supported streaming TV in the UK, giving advertisers a unique opportunity to appear alongside the BAFTA-winning show, renowned for effortlessly blending chat and comedy.
"The Graham Norton Show" channel will stream exclusively on Samsung TV Plus in the UK, Germany, Sweden, and The Netherlands, providing fans with a bountiful line-up of A-listers delivering the ultimate in primetime entertainment. The channel will be available 24 hours a day and on an on-demand service, coming soon. The selection includes "The Graham Norton Show 2023 New Year's Eve special," which epitomizes the program's popularity, attracting an enormous 4.3 million viewers on the day it aired.
Alex Hole, General Manager, Europe at Samsung Electronics, said it's an exciting time for advertisers to appear alongside the show in the UK for the first time since the series has previously only aired on the BBC. "It gives advertisers a gateway into the growing number of audiences who are turning to FAST services already, to deliver them engaging, premium, and free content that is easy to discover, funded by targeted and relevant advertising," he added.
On the latest channel launch for Samsung TV Plus, European Head of Content Acquisitions, Jennifer Batty, said: "Graham Norton has a magnetic power that regularly brings audiences together to spend their Friday night with him around the TV. In recent years, his historic catalog of epic interviews has found a new lease of life on social media. And now Samsung Smart TV owners can enjoy the feel-good Norton magic whenever they want. It reflects our passion at Samsung TV Plus to supercharge our service with some of the best broadcaster content - expanding the opportunity for audiences to enjoy the nation's most premium programs in more ways."
Speaking about the partnership, Graham Haigh, EVP of Global Digital Partnerships at ITV Studios, commented: "We're excited to partner with Samsung and launch a dedicated channel focused on all things Norton, giving fans a chance to indulge 24/7 on Graham's legendary and star-studded interviews. The Graham Norton Show is among the most beloved and iconic in our 90,000+ hour catalog and has a huge global audience."
"The Graham Norton Show channel" is the latest launch as part of Samsung TV Plus' long-standing partnership with ITV Studios, kicking off with "World Drama by ITV Studios." Together, they have since grown the catalog of programming produced by the Groups' 60+ production labels to include dedicated channels from Gordon Ramsey's "Hell's Kitchen," the timeless "Come Dine With Me," and the constantly trending "World of Love Island."
This latest expansion to the Samsung TV Plus catalog demonstrates the growth of FAST channels in Europe and cements its role in the total TV viewing experience by providing a wide range of high-quality content to meet a wide range of viewing needs and moods. Samsung TV Plus's substantial growth, propelled by Samsung's increased investment in the FAST service's immense catalog and expanding key content partnerships, has resulted in a 61% year-on-year growth in viewing hours in the UK. Samsung TV Plus is exclusively available on more than 50 Million Samsung devices in Europe, without the need for an antenna or additional application, just an internet connection.