BBC Three launch date confirmed as channel returns after six years

Virgin Radio

11 Jan 2022, 14:56

Pic: BBC Three

Another date for your diary, as BBC Three returns to our screens after six long years.

It has been revealed that the channel will return on February 1st.

Back in 2016, the channel was moved solely online in an attempt to attract younger audiences.

The move meant that shows like RuPaul's Drag Race UK and Normal People aired online only and on BBC iPlayer.

Fans were angry with the decision and have long-campaigned for a return to the main channels.

The popularity of the shows has led to the station being brought back, from Tuesday February 1st.

BBC Three will broadcast from 7pm every night.

You can watch it on Freeview, Sky, Virgin and Freesat, as well as on BBC iPlayer.

Premiering on the launch will be the new series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK Versus The World.

The new branch of the show features drag queens from around the world facing off against UK queens.

As well as RuPaul, BBC Three will feature drama, comedy, documentaries, news and sport.

Other new shows include 'Santa Claus the Serial Killer': a six-part true-crime series, as well as Flight Club, a programme exploring life behind the scenes at an airline.

The launch week will also feature football, with the semi-finals and the final of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Fiona Campbell, Controller at BBC Three, emphasised how exciting it will be to show the final stages of the football tournament on free-to-air TV.

‘We know how popular sport is with younger audiences and it’s going to have a big part to play on BBC Three,’ she said.

"AFCON is set to be an incredibly exciting tournament with some of the best players in the World on show and its brilliant news that we will be showing the climax of the competition on free to air television.’