UKTV has unveiled its latest TV advert featuring worldwide icon Cher to mark today's launch of U. In a creative twist, the global superstar travels through some of Britain’s best-loved shows on U performing her own iconic song I Got You Babe.
The advert starts with UKTV execs pitching their creative to Cher, who, in a vision, says she “can see it now”, and immediately starts singing I Got You Babe. Along the way, Cher meets EastEnders’ Barry (Shaun Williamson), and together they perform karaoke in the Queen Vic, as well as encountering Orlando Bloom, perched on the top of rock as he tests his physical and mental strength in the self-titled UK premiere Orlando Bloom: To the Edge. The superstar has a chance to test her own nerve as she’s seen sat in the back of the car driven by Chris Kamara and Jeff Stelling, cheating death in Sri Lanka in World’s Most Dangerous Roads. Battle in the Box star Jimmy Carr pops up too, singing a few lines of the classic song.
Viewers can catch a glimpse of Cher make a surprise appearance in Secrets of the London Underground, as well as many other well-loved shows including popular series Annika, which sees the Goddess of Pop perform to DI Annika Strandhed (Nicola Walker) who heads up the show's Marine Homicide Unit, as the unlikely duo don lifejackets as they sail the Scottish waters together.
The TV commercial was developed by UKTV’s in-house creative agency in partnership with HunkyDory Films, and led by Scott Russell, UKTV’s creative director. It was directed by Christian Bevilacqua, with Leanne Farleigh as senior producer, Mary Claire Seiler as head of production, and Eoin Mclaughlin was creative consultant. Penny Brough, CMO for UKTV, ordered the commercial as part of the launch of UKTV’s new masterbrand.
Scott Russell said: “We wanted to create an ambitious advert to launch U to highlight the variety of quality programming and to stand out in a hugely competitive landscape. It had to be joyful, have content at its heart, and to tell the story of whatever you love, we’ve got U. What’s more, it needed to be memorable and have a surprise factor that was not only authentic but connected with current and new viewers.
Who better to do this than mega superstar, Cher, performing a brand new version of her iconic song, I’ve Got You Babe, whilst meeting some new and familiar friends on the way?”
Consumers can find out how to stream U here.
Watch the new ad below
