Is this real? Has the calendar fast-forwarded to April Fools Day and this is just one of those ‘hilarious’ media stunts like spaghetti growing on trees? I almost hope so, otherwise someone at UKTV needs to go visit their shrink and pronto. UKTV G2 will be re-christened Dave in a move scheduled to coincide with the channel’s launch on Freeview on October 15th. Not David, Davey or any other variation – but Dave.

And why the need to re-name a television channel after one half of the country’s favourite Cockney musical duo? Because “everyone knows a bloke called Dave.” Er, I don’t – does that mean I can’t watch it? (I really can’t know that many people, as I should also know a bloke like Mickey according to that god-awful Head and Shoulders advert when I don’t either. Maybe I need to spend more time on Facebook.) How is this any kind of explanation? I get that it wants to attract a male audience, but apart from the Daves among us, surely this name ostracises rather than appeals to most men. Billed as “the home of witty banter”, Dave will air shows such as Top Gear, QI and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. If this is a success, can we look forward to a Chas channel to keep Dave company?

[via What Satellite and Digital TV]