WBD Bets on Linear TV with TLC Relaunch

Warner Bros. Discovery is making a notable bet on linear television by relaunching its UK channel TLC as a free-to-air entertainment offering, headlined by a revival of the popular comedy panel show Mock the Week. The strategic refresh is part of a wider effort to strengthen its traditional broadcast portfolio in an era dominated by streaming.

• The last laugh: The biggest draw of the shake-up is TLC’s revival of Mock the Week, the panel show cancelled by the BBC in 2022. The series returns on February 1 with original host Dara Ó Briain for an expanded 60-minute format that mixes familiar rounds with new segments.

• Shifting the script: Pivoting from its reality-heavy roots, TLC will now pair its unscripted hits like 90 Day Fiancé with a slate of scripted shows. The channel is loading up on popular sitcoms, including The Big Bang Theory, Young Sheldon, and the UK premiere of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, which arrives on January 18. The move is part of a wider brand refresh extending across WBD’s other UK channels, including Quest, Really, and Food Network.

The strategic shift wasn't just about additions; TLC's move to free-to-air came at the expense of HGTV's linear channel, which was shut down to make room. In a landscape focused on streaming wars, WBD is signaling that it still sees value and opportunity in curating its traditional linear channels, using high-profile revivals and proven acquisitions to capture a broader free-to-air audience.