Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 26, 2026

TLC (British and Irish TV channel)

TLC is a British free-to-air television channel, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It is based on the American cable network of the same name. It launched on 30 April 2013 at 8pm, replacing Discovery Real Time and DMAX +2.

Last revised
Jul 26, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
689 w
Citations
12
Source
Wikipedia ↗
TLC
Logo used since 13 January 2026
CountryUnited Kingdom
Broadcast areaUnited Kingdom
Ireland
Programming
LanguageEnglish
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed)
Timeshift serviceTLC +1
Ownership
OwnerWarner Bros. Discovery EMEA
Sister channelsAnimal Planet
Discovery Channel
Discovery History
Discovery Science
Discovery Turbo
DMAX
Food Network
Investigation Discovery
Quest
Quest Red
Really
Cartoon Network
Boomerang
Cartoonito
CNN International
History
Launched30 April 2013 (2013-04-30), 8pm
ReplacedDiscovery Real Time and Discovery Travel & Living (2005–2013)
HGTV (on Freeview)
Links
Websiteuk.tlc.com
Availability
Terrestrial
FreeviewChannel 12
Channel 99 (+1)
Streaming media
Virgin TV GoWatch live (UK only)
Watch live (+1) (UK only)
Virgin TV AnywhereWatch live (Ireland only)

TLC is a British free-to-air television channel, owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. It is based on the American cable network of the same name. It launched on 30 April 2013 at 8pm,1 replacing Discovery Real Time and DMAX +2.2

History

1994

The original version of TLC was launched in 1994 and was subsequently renamed Discovery Home & Leisure and later Discovery Real Time as part of Discovery's catalogue of themed channels. Given that TLC was chasing a completely different demographic from the old TLC, Discovery treated it as a new channel launch rather than a return.

2013

On 30 April 2013, TLC +1 was launched, replacing DMAX +2.

A two-hour timeshift, TLC +2, was launched on 16 September 2013. It closed down on 27 April 2018, and was rebranded as Discovery Turbo +1.3

2026

In the United Kingdom, TLC became free-to-air in January 2026 and refocused to a general entertainment channel with scripted and non-scripted comedy programming, as well as programmes from its existing lineup and new ID Programming 4 In Ireland, the HD and +1 channels, which are identical to the UK feed, also became free-to-air in January 2026, while the SD version remains encrypted because it broadcasts advertisements targeted to the Irish market.5

Programming

Programming consists of acquired shows and original commissions.678 TLC also features an Oprah Winfrey Network branded programme block.9

Current programming

Acquired shows

Original commissions

References

References

  1. Szalai, Georg (27 March 2013). "Discovery Communications to Launch TLC in U.K., Ireland". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  2. Hadley, Paul (24 April 2013). "Changes to Discovery channels this month". Entertainment Interactive. Retrieved 30 April 2013.
  3. "System Updates". Overnights.tv. Archived from the original on 28 July 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  4. Goren, Or (20 October 2025). "TLC Channel Is Coming To Freeview As HGTV Shuts Down". Cord Busters. Retrieved 1 January 2026.
  5. "Changes to the TV Guide - January 2026". Retrieved 14 January 2026.
  6. Munn, Patrick (27 March 2013). "TLC To Launch in UK on April 30th". TVWise. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  7. Whittingham, Clive (25 April 2013). "TLC stocks UK schedule". C21Media. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  8. Munn, Patrick (26 April 2013). "TLC Acquires UK Rights To TV Land's 'The Exes' & 'Happily Divorced'". TVWise. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  9. Whittingham, Clive (4 April 2013). "OWN gets TLC UK block". C21Media. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  10. "Curvy Brides Boutique". Radio Times. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  11. Caitlin Moran (1 January 2020). "TV for big girls". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  12. "TLC: Curvy Brides Boutique". Retrieved 15 October 2021.
External links