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UKTV commissions Go 8 Bit review show to run alongside second series

Go 8 Bit DLC to debut on May 15th, hosted by Ellie Gibson

Following the success of Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit, broadcaster UKTV is doubling its gaming output for 2017 with a new spin-off show centred around reviews and debates.

The new programme, entitled Go 8 Bit DLC, will be hosted by the main series' games expert and former Eurogamer journalist Ellie Gibson, alongside the show's team captains Steve McNeil and Sam Pamphilon.

British Comedy Guide reports DLC episodes will be half an hour long, feature "lively debates and reviews covering the history of video games", and will feature celebrity guests. Those confirmed for the show so far are comedians Susan Calman and Jamali Maddix, writer Rhianna Pratchett, musician Scroobius Pip, and actors James and Oliver Phelps - better known as Harry Potter's Weasley twins.

Dara O Briain will host the second series of the main Go 8 Bit programme, in which celebrities compete in a series of video game challenges. He will also make appearances on DLC to discuss his favourite titles.

Both shows will debut on TV channel Dave on Monday, May 15th.

"After the great success of Go 8 Bit, it's a logical move for us to further engage with the gaming audienc," says Iain Coyle, UKTV's senior commissioning editor. "Go 8 Bit DLC is a great fun show on its own terms and I'm delighted that we're also extending our relationship with Ellie, Steve and Sam."

Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit debuted last year and was warmly received, established as one of the most popular new shows of all time on its channel. Video games and mainstream TV have had a rocky relationship in the past, but the format of Go 8 Bit seemed promising - here's hoping that DLC will also help introduce the industry to a broader audience.

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James Batchelor

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James Batchelor is Editor-in-Chief at GamesIndustry.biz. He has been a B2B journalist since 2006, and an author since he knew what one was