By Stuart Thomson

UK local TV operator That’s Media has launched That’s TV Gold, a new national channel that will broadcast on Sky and Freeview with a mix nostalgic content including concerts, documentaries and films.

That’s TV Gold is intended to complement music-based sister channel, That’s TV, which has operated on Freeview since November 2014.

The That’s TV network currently broadcasts in 20 metro-regions of the UK on Freeview.

The new service will broadcast free-to-air on Sky and on Freeview with Freeview coverage in areas across the UK where That’s TV is not currently available, including London, East and West Midlands, North East England and Northern Ireland. The service will also be available to viewers across the UK with a suitable internet-connected Freeview television.

That’s TV Gold’s content line-up will feature programming dedicated to the likes of The Beatles, Elvis, ABBA, The Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart. A That’s Concert strand will also be aired showcasing the likes of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Luciano Pavarotti, Barry White, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Other content includes documentaries on The Bee Gees, The Kinks, The Rat Pack and The Clash.

That’s Media will continue to operate 20 of the 34 local Freeview licences granted by Ofcom allowing it to reach over five million homes in Scotland, South Wales, North West England, Yorkshire and Humber, East Anglia and the South of England. That’s TV operates a model designed to deliver local TV news alongside a network programming spine comprising of music themed programming primarily from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

“The demand for nostalgic music and entertainment content has never been higher than it has been over the past year. We have seen a surge in popularity for music from yesteryear and we are delighted to bring That’s TV Gold to millions of households across the UK to help meet this demand,” said That’s TV Gold chief executive Dan Cass.

“The That’s TV Network has enjoyed exponential growth and the addition of That’s TV Gold will serve to strengthen our nationwide reach and appeal. We have always had an ambition to launch a fully national TV service and being able to do so on both Sky and Freeview provides the perfect platforms at the perfect time to capture the attention of nostalgia TV lovers in every corner of the country.”