In summary:
- TLC becomes a free-to-air channel in the UK via Freesat and Freeview, reviving BBC’s axed satirical show ‘Mock the Week’ with Dara Ó Briain hosting starting February 1, 2026.
- Tech Advisor reports the channel is expanding beyond reality shows to include sitcoms like ‘The Big Bang Theory,’ films such as ‘Transformers,’ and new travel show ‘Zero Stars.’
- This Warner Bros. Discovery strategy offers viewers popular content including ’90 Day Fiancé’ and comedy programming without subscription fees.
In a world jammed with expensive streaming platforms and subscription prices that are ever on the rise, TCL is becoming a haven for those who want to watch popular films, series and reality shows for free. Well, at least in the United Kingdom.
Until recently, UK viewers could only access TLC, a channel from the Warner Bros. Discovery family, via Sky TV, Virgin Media TV, and Discovery+. However, on 13 January 2026, it became a free-to-air (FTA) entertainment channel, available via Freesat and its sister platform, Freeview.
Viewers of Freesat can find TLC on channel 144. TLC+1 is available on channel 150.
Freeview users will find TLC on channel 12, and TLC+1 on channel 99.
The launch of free-to-air TLC is part of the broader Warner Bros strategy to expand its linear television offering. According to the company, this particular channel is intended solely for entertainment, providing viewers with “big laughs, real emotions and true escapism”.
What to watch on TLC
For years, TLC’s offerings have consisted largely of reality shows such as 90 Day Fiancé and Dr Pimple Popper. However, Warner Bros. has also decided to make changes to content, packing the schedule with beloved sitcoms and smash-hit films.
TLC’s bumper line-up includes Mike and Molly, The Big Bang Theory and its spin-off Young Sheldon , as well as the UK premiere of Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage , a sitcom covering the messy relationship of Sheldon’s older brother.
Warner Bros. also announced that the updated TLC offering will include films such as Transformers, The Truman Show, Blades of Glory and Zoolander.
Reality show fans don’t need to worry. Warner Bros. hasn’t forgotten about you: all the the reality TV shows that TLC is famous for – Dr Pimple Popper, The Bad Skin Clinic, My 600lb Life and 90 Day Fiancé - will continue to appear.
The return of Mock the Week
What’s more, TLC will feature a new instalment of Mock the Week , a popular satirical celebrity panel show axed by the BBC in 2022. A brand-new edition of the series will kick off on Sunday, 1 February 2026, with Dara Ó Briain returning as host.
In the line-up for a nine-episode series, you can spot fan-favourite comedians such as Rhys James, Sara Pascoe, Angela Barnes, Ed Byrne, Ahir Shah, Milton Jones, Katherine Ryan, Hugh Dennis, Sarah Keyworth, Lou Sanders, Glenn Moore, Ellie Taylor and Russell Howard. Some well-known formats will be returning, including “If this is the answer, what is the question?” and “Scenes we’d like to see”.
Another series featuring comedians is Zero Stars , a brand-new show in which Roisin Conaty and Sara Pascoe travel the world, visiting places with the worst or strangest reviews.
Author: Weronika de Oliveira, Entertainment Writer, Tech Advisor
Weronika is an Entertainment Writer at Tech Advisor, where she covers topics related to TV shows, streaming, and movies. With an MA degree in Film Studies, her areas of expertise range from classical and postmodern cinema to contemporary films, series, and pop culture.
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