- "Mech+
Innovation. Community. Entertainment.
The new home of science, robotics and engineering." - — Mech+ slogan
Mech+ (alternatively formatted as MECH+ or Mech Plus) is a video streaming service and UK television channel run by Mech TV Ltd, a subsidiary of Mentorn and Passion Distribution parent company the Tinopolis Group.[4][5]
First launching as a free streaming service in late March/early April 2022, it currently broadcasts the entirety of the original and rebooted UK Robot Wars (Series 1-7 and 8-10); both series of Robot Wars Extreme, and Series 1 of Dutch Robot Wars. These are supplemented by additional Robot Wars-specific content, including the behind-the-scenes spin-off Robot Wars Revealed and a small number of home media releases from the Classic era.
On 18 October 2023, the Mech+ TV channel was launched on Freeview, joining the existing streaming and on-demand services[1]. The service ran until autumn 2024, and was officially announced to have ended on 1 October that year.[6]
History[]
The Mech+ service and iOS/Android apps were launched worldwide on 31 March 2022, with trailers for the service and Classic Series content appearing on their YouTube channel the same day.[7][8] Support for Google Chromecast devices - enabling streamed content to be viewed on modern HD televisions - was later introduced by 30 June,[9] with similar compatibility also available for the app on devices incorporating Apple's AirPlay and Vizio's SmartCast systems.[10] Originally, both the website and apps were fully accessible for free, with an optional annual subscription (£19.99 per year in the UK; $24.99 in the US) available for viewers to watch content without advertisements.
According to their YouTube channel description, Mech+ had set out plans to introduce new content on a monthly basis, with complete shows and series initially premiering on the live service on Friday evenings. On occasions, this was changed to a weekly release schedule, which was mostly applied during the service's first year of operation.[11]
Descriptions for the iOS and Android apps initially listed them as being developed by Passion Distribution, international distributors of both the Classic and rebooted UK series, thus confirming the officiality of the Mech+ service.[12] Subsequently, the Google Play Store amended their description to list Mech+ as a developer in their own right,[13] while the iOS App Store credited the aforementioned Mech TV Ltd subsidiary.[14]
Alongside the main service, Mech+ launched their Twitter feed sometime during March 2022[15], with TikTok and Facebook accounts following suit on 14 April [16] and 9 May[17] respectively. On 13 June, the Mech+ website was updated with a new 'landing page' including links to all four of their social media profiles, along with promotional images of Shunt, Dead Metal, Matilda and Sir Killalot in their Series 8-10 incarnations.[18] Further updates to the site in late 2022 included a new promotional graphic featuring the House Robots and Flame Pit, replacing the Series 8 promotional photo used previously.
On 22 March 2023, Mech+ was introduced to the Samsung TV Plus app, available in selected regions on Samsung-produced televisions and mobile devices.[2] This marked the first time that the service was available on a third-party platform, with additions to other services following in the subsequent months. A table of services and applications featuring Mech+ (as of October 2024) is listed below:
Service/App Name | Type | Availability | Section/ Channel Number(s) |
Launch Date | Other Notes | Official Website |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Samsung TV Plus | Application/Streaming service | Samsung-produced smart TVs and mobile devices. | Channel 4118 | 22 March 2023[2] | Introduced in Sweden, Finland, Denmark and the Netherlands on 14 April 2023.[19] Rebranded to Robot Wars by Mech+ on 9 October 2024.[20] | [21] |
Rakuten TV | Video-on-demand/streaming | UK, Ireland, the Netherlands and Nordic regions. | Entertainment | 2 May 2023[22] | Livestream. | [23] |
VIDAA TV | OS/Streaming service | VIDAA-operated smart TVs across 160 countries.[24] | N/A | 24 May 2023[25] | [26] | |
Plex | Ad-supported streaming service | Online; global. | N/A | 8 June 2023[27] | Livestream; classic and Revival-era Robot Wars episodes also available to watch separately on demand.[28][29] | [30] |
LG Channels | Streaming service | UK and Australia; compatible LG smart TVs. | Channel 112 (UK) Channel 473 (Australia) |
30 June 2023[3] | [31] | |
Freeview | Digital terrestrial TV service (free) | UK | Channel 290 | 18 October 2023[1] | Free-to-air stream; available on compatible TVs and devices. No longer available as of 1 October 2024.[6] |
[32] |
Roku Channel | Over-the-top VOD service | UK, USA, Canada and Mexico | N/A | 30 January 2024[33] | Downloadable streaming app within Roku Channel Store; available on Roku devices and smart TVs, or via web browsers. | [34] |
Sling TV | Over-the-top, app-based TV service | USA | N/A | 8 February 2024[35][36] | '24-7' stream. | [37] |
Pluto TV | FAST streaming/on demand service | International | N/A | 19 February 2024[38] | Robot Wars by Mech+ live streaming channel; UK Series and Robot Wars Extreme also available on demand. | [39] |
Sports TV | Internet streaming service | N/A | Available as of 1 October 2024.[6] | |||
Local Now | Over-the-top internet TV service | United States | N/A | Available as of 1 October 2024.[6] | [40] |
A RapidNewsTV article on the Rakuten TV deal stated that further agreements with other FAST (free ad-supported television) services were being planned, along with additional content for the service and 'expansions' into overseas markets.[41]
As part of a series of 'upgrades' earmarked for late 2023,[42] Mech+ announced on 17 October the launch of a Freeview TV channel under the same name. The channel - exclusive to the UK market - would begin transmitting the following day, broadcasting content in a similar manner to the existing online livestream.[43][44]
In public social media posts shared on 18 January 2024, it was announced that the Mech+ website service and apps would be available 'only to paid subscribers' from the start of February that year. This change would not affect the existing Freeview or FAST channels, which remain free to watch. The same posts confirmed that additional channels on FAST services would be launched 'imminently'.[45][46] Later the same month, an updated website - coinciding with the introduction of the Roku Channel app[33] - was launched, marking the site's switch to the subscription-based model.
By early February, a monthly subscription plan (priced at £4.79 a month in the UK) was introduced, with the price for the existing annual subscription being left unchanged. Both monthly and annual plans would include a '7-day free trial', as promoted on the updated website. The livestream elements of the website and apps would be discontinued by this time, with both now being run exclusively as 'On Demand' services.
Effective from 10 September 2024, the Mech+ YouTube channel was rebranded into an official Robot Wars channel, complete with reboot-era logos and new 'Powered by Mech+' sub-branding.[47]
Robot Wars[]
From launch, Mech+ introduced the entirety of the original UK Series run (Series 1-7, both series of Robot Wars Extreme) as one of their first programmes. Collectively dubbed Robot Wars Classics or the Classic Series, each episode was digitally restored from the original broadcast master tapes[48] and available to watch in full HD. This also marked the first time that certain episodes, such as the Series 3 International League Championship and the full Series 4 Christmas Specials (e.g, the Celebrity Special and War of Independence), were available in high-quality versions since their initial transmission on BBC networks. The Mech+ service enables each series and episode to be watched individually as per a regular 'video on demand' or commercial streaming service. Originally, episodes would also be shown on a continuous livestream available from the website or apps; as of February 2024, this element has been discontinued from the latter.
On 4 May 2022, a teaser was released on Mech+'s social media feeds promoting the addition of extra Robot Wars content to the service. Alongside the eventual debut of the rebooted series (Series 8-10, Battle of the Stars and World Series, later branded as the Revival Series), it confirmed the addition of the Series 2 spin-off Robot Wars Revealed, the majority of which had been considered lost media since its initial airings on BBC Choice between 1998 and 2000.[49] The entire 15-episode run of Robot Wars Revealed was first streamed on 6 May, after which it became available to watch on demand.[50]
Additional content introduced in the following weeks included the music video for the Android Love single, the previously Club-exclusive highlights video Robot Wars: A History of the Third Wars, and all four of the Robot Wars: Ultimate Warrior Collection VHS/DVD releases, now branded as the Ultimate Collection series. As with Robot Wars Revealed, these were streamed first before being added to Mech+'s on demand service the following day.[51][52][53][54][55][56]
As part of their engagement with fans on social media, comments by Mech+ suggest their intention to add yet more Robot Wars content beyond the currently-released series and media programmes. One possibility, expressed on Facebook following the addition of History of the Third Wars, was for content relating to the Series 4-7 qualifiers, which were known to have been recorded, but mostly left untelevised.[57] Mech+'s statements were reaffirmed in August 2022 via posts promoting an official YouTube 'Best Moments' compilation of the Classic Series.[58]
On 2 September, a short teaser video was released featuring low-opacity footage of the audience, Dead Metal and the arena from the reboot, promoting additional content scheduled for release on 9 September.[59] This was initially confirmed to be the premiere stream of Series 8,[60] which would later be postponed to 16 September following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.[61][62] The main Series 9 debuted on 23 September,[63] followed by Series 10 on 30 September,[64] marking the first time that the complete main UK Series was officially available on the service.
Streams of the Revival Series specials followed, beginning with Episode 1 of the World Series on 7 October,[65] and Episode 2 on 14 October.[66] Completing the televised Robot Wars UK collection were both episodes of Battle of the Stars, premiering on 9 December and 16 December respectively alongside Episodes 4 and 5 of This is Fighting Robots.[67][68]
On 31 October 2022, a Halloween-themed social media post featuring Apollo was released, where, in footage supplied by Team MAD,[69] the Series 8 champion was used to toss and destroy a flaming pumpkin with its flipper.[70]
To celebrate the first anniversary of Mech+'s launch, a trailer was released on 31 March 2023 confirming the addition of Dutch Robot Wars: Series 1 to the service. Featuring HD-remastered episodes and official English subtitles for the first time, the complete six-part series premiered on 7 April, making it the first of the international versions to appear.[71]
Throughout November 2023, a 'Robovember' campaign was launched on most of the Mech+ FAST services (Samsung TV Plus, Rakuten, ViDAA, LG Channels and Plex), offering 24/7 streams of every available Robot Wars series and media.[72] Further marathon-style broadcasts would continue to be shown across FAST and Freeview-based channels, including a 'Finals Weekend' on 26-28 April 2024 dedicated to the main UK series Grand Finals.[73]
YouTube Episode Uploads[]
Beginning in February 2024, complete episodes from the Robot Wars library would be shared by the Mech+ YouTube channel. The remastered Series 1, Heat A was streamed live by the channel on 9 February, just over a week after its release on the official Robot Wars Facebook page.[74][75]
Below is a table of episodes to have been streamed and/or uploaded by the channel:
Episode | Series | Title | Stream/Upload Date | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|
Robot Wars: The First Wars/Heat A | Series 1 | Robot Wars, The First Wars - Episode 1 | 9 February 2024 | [74] |
Robot Wars: The Second Wars/Heat A | Series 2 | Robot Wars, The Second Wars - Episode 1 | 22 February 2024 | [76] |
Robot Wars Revealed/Episode 1 | Robot Wars Revealed | Robot Wars Revealed - Episode 1 | 29 February 2024 | [77] |
Robot Wars: Series 8/Grand Final | Series 8 | Robot Wars, Series 8 - Grand Final | 7 March 2024 | [78] |
Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars/Celebrity Special | Series 4 | Robot Wars, The Fourth Wars - Celebrity Special | 14 March 2024 | [79] |
The Third World Championship | Series 7 | Robot Wars - The Third World Championship | 21 March 2024 | [80] |
Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars/Northern Annihilator | Series 4 | Robot Wars - Northern Annihilator | 28 March 2024 | [81] |
Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars/Southern Annihilator | Series 4 | Robot Wars - Southern Annihilator | 4 April 2024 | [82] |
Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars/Tag Team Terror | Series 4 | Robot Wars - Tag Team Terror | 11 April 2024 | [83] |
Robot Wars: The Fourth Wars/War of Independence | Series 4 | Robot Wars, War of Independence | 25 April 2024 | [84] |
UK vs Germany Special | Series 6 | Robot Wars, UK Vs Germany | 2 May 2024 | [85] |
Dutch Robot Wars: Series 1/Heat A | Dutch Robot Wars: Series 1 | Robot Wars, The Dutch Wars - Episode 1 | 16 May 2024 | [86] |
Robot Wars Extreme: Series 1/Episode 1 | Robot Wars Extreme: Series 1 | Robot Wars, Extreme 1 - Episode 1 | 26 September 2024 | [87] |
The First World Championship | Robot Wars: The Third Wars | Robot Wars, First World Championship | 3 October 2024 | [88] |
Robot Wars: The Fifth Wars/Heat A | Robot Wars: The Fifth Wars | Robot Wars, Series 5 - Episode 1 | 10 October 2024 | [89] |
Robot Wars: Battle of the Stars/Episode 1 | Robot Wars: Series 9 | Robot Wars, Battle of the Stars - Episode 1 | 23 December 2024 | [90] |
Robot Wars: Battle of the Stars/Episode 2 | Robot Wars: Series 9 | Robot Wars, Battle of the Stars - Episode 2 | 24 December 2024 | [91] |
In addition to this, a "Marathon" livestream of Series 1 commenced on 1 March 2024. Beginning at 17:00 GMT, all six episodes were streamed on YouTube over the course of the weekend.[92][93]
Series 10 House Robot clips[]
Unedited point-of-view clips featuring the House Robots were also released on social media feeds for promotional purposes, each being taken from Series 10. These included:
- Sir Killalot attacking Pinza during the second Group Battle of Heat A.[94]
- Sir Killalot and Matilda destroying a flat screen television, during an unaired demonstration held to entertain the audience at filming.[95]
- A 'shoulder cam' view of Sir Killalot from the final of World Series, Episode 1; after briefly attacking Diotoir and Apollo, he is shown to be almost turned over by the victorious Series 8 champion.[96]
- Point-of-view captures of the Heat B Robot Redemption round between Aftershock and Gabriel 2 (Sir Killalot and Shunt),[97] and the Heat E Final between Thor and Magnetar (Dead Metal and Shunt).[98]
- A clip of Shunt attacking Terror Turtle and Thor during their Tag Team battle in World Series, Episode 2; uploaded on 20 February 2023 to coincide with the show's 25th anniversary.[99]
- A second clip from the unaired Series 10 House Robot demo, showing Matilda tossing a washing machine at the upper side wall.[100]
- Shunt axing and throwing a CRT computer monitor, again taken from the House Robot demo.[101]
- Eruption throwing Behemoth against the entry gate, then on top of Dead Metal during their Grand Final Semi-Final battle; this was enough to force the House Robot's camera downwards.[102]
- Dead Metal collecting and pushing Weber's discarded tyre into the pit following its World Series Head-to-Head against Concussion, moments before the latter was also pushed in by Sir Killalot.[103]
- A clip of Diotoir smoking and getting tossed by the Floor Flipper after the World Series Episode 1 final, with assistance from Dead Metal.[104]
Awards Compilations[]
Beginning in July 2023, the official Mech+ YouTube channel released a series of compilation videos showcasing Award winners from the Classic run. These were uploaded as follows:
Title | Upload Date | Award | Winners | Events Highlighted | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Most Original Entries | 27 July 2023 | Most Original Entry | Series 1: Psychosprout Series 2: Milly-Ann Bug Series 3: Hypno-Disc Series 4: Gemini Series 5: S3 Series 6: Crushtacean |
Psychosprout: Series 1, Heat E, Gauntlet. Milly-Ann Bug: Series 2, Heat D, Gauntlet and Football. Hypno-Disc: Series 3, Heat H, Round 2 (vs Stealth), Series 3, Semi-Final 2, Round 2 (vs 101) and Series 3, Semi-Final 2, Round 1 (vs Evil Weevil). Gemini: Series 4, Heat F, Eliminator (vs Tornado and Kater Killer). S3: Series 5, Heat C, Eliminator (vs Plunderbird 5). Crushtacean: Series 6, Heat C, Round 2 (vs Chaos 2) and Series 6, Heat C, Round 1 (vs Dantomkia, Doctor Fist and Mr Nasty). |
[105] |
Best Design | 3 August 2023 | Best Design (originally "Best Designed Robot") |
Series 1: Plunderbird 1 Series 2 and 3: Razer Series 4: Gemini Series 5: Razer Series 6: 259 |
Plunderbird 1: Series 1, Heat C, Gauntlet. Razer (Series 2): Series 2, Heat D, Arena Semi-Final (vs Inquisitor). Razer (Series 3): Series 3, Heat C, Round 2 (vs Aggrobot). Gemini: Series 5, Heat D, Eliminator (vs Ruf Ruf Dougal). Razer (Series 5): Series 5, Grand Final, Final (vs Bigger Brother). 259: Series 6, Heat G, Round 2 (vs Wild Thing) and UK vs Germany Special, Round 1, (vs Judge Shred 2½). |
[106] |
Best Engineered | 18 August 2023 | Best Engineered (originally "Best Engineered Robot") | Series 1: Mortis Series 2: The Mule Series 3: Chaos 2 Series 4: The Steel Avenger Series 5: Derek! Series 6: Anarchy |
Mortis: Series 1, Heat B, Arena Semi-Final (vs Leighbot) The Mule: Series 2, Heat K, Gauntlet and Arena Semi-Final (vs Demon) Chaos 2: Series 3, Heat E, Round 1 (vs Crocodilotron), Round 2 (vs Sonic) and Final (vs The Big Cheese); Semi-Final 1, Round 1 (vs Trident) and Round 2 (vs Mace 2) The Steel Avenger: Series 4, Heat M, Semi-Final (vs Sir Chromalot) Derek!: Series 5, Heat F, Eliminator (vs Dominator 2) Anarchy: Series 6, Heat G, Round 2 (vs Inshredable) and Round 1 (vs Judge Shred 2½, Revolution 2 and Thor) |
[107] |
Sportsmanship Awards | 21 November 2023 | Sportsmanship Award | Series 1: Nemesis Series 2: Plunderbird 2 Series 3 and 4: Diotoir Series 5: Pussycat Series 6: Kat 3 |
Nemesis: Series 1, Heat A, Gauntlet and Sumo Plunderbird 2: Series 2, Heat K, Gauntlet Diotoir (Series 3): Series 3, Heat O, Round 2 (vs The Steel Avenger) Diotoir (Series 4): Series 4, Heat C, Eliminator (vs Ming 2 and Bolt from the Blue) Pussycat: Series 5, Heat L, Eliminator (vs The Executioner) Kat 3: Series 6, Heat K, Round 2 (vs Barber-Ous 2) |
[108] |
Differences between versions[]
Certain episodes available on Mech+, particularly those from The Fourth Wars, feature noticeable differences from versions aired by the BBC and other TV broadcasters. These range from captions (i.e. for presenters, pit reporters and competitor robots), sound effects and transition animations not being implemented, to an instance in Heat L where alternative music was used in one segment. The Thunderbirds theme, as played during the International Wreck Crew's arrival in a Chinook helicopter, was replaced by the regular Robot Wars battle music. While all of the Series 4 Christmas Specials were initially aired by the BBC with customised logos for their opening sequences, the Mech+ version of the Tag Team Terror uses the regular logo in place of its own custom variant.
The Mech+ version of Series 6, Heat D contains additional b-roll footage not present in regular televised versions. Clips (played after the main episode without sound) include:
- A clean shot of the main combat arena from floor level, as used during battleboard transitions.
- Clean profile shots of all eight competitors from said Heat, without statistics boards.
- Clean 'Damage Cam' footage of GBH 2 and ICU, both without graphical overlays.
- Various shorter clips of the audience and Craig Charles, the latter addressing the camera from the middle pod.
Other differences specific to the UK Series include:
- A closing title card for Carlton International in place of Robot Wars Club promotions/disclaimers in remastered First Wars episodes, revealing that this series was at one point distributed by the library division of the now-defunct UK media company.
- The use of the Series 3-4 end logo in remastered Series 2 episodes, potentially suggesting that these were taken from later broadcasts.
- The use of later Mentorn or Mentorn International title cards to close certain episodes from earlier series, including the remastered Series 3, Heat G, Series 3, Semi-Final 1 (2003 Mentorn logo) and Series 4, Heat M.
- The use of the original Series 1 theme at the end of the remastered Series 4, Heat M.
- Alternative end cards in place of Club promotion details on multiple episodes; these include written variations of the 'Building robots is dangerous' disclaimer, sometimes used alongside or in place of the official 'www.robotwars.tv'/'www.robotwars.co.uk' (defunct) web addresses.
- Animated break bumpers and the absence of Club promotions/disclaimers on most Series 5, Series 6 and Extreme 2 episodes. These particularly apply to episodes based on the repeat broadcasts by commercial network Challenge in 2015-2018.
- As of May 2024, the omission of Club promotions/disclaimers from the majority of Series 2-4 and Series 7 episodes. Exceptions include the official YouTube uploads of Series 2, Heat A and the Series 4 Celebrity Special, the former featuring a 'www.robotwars.co.uk' website promotion.[76][79]
- The use of an instrumental track and regular closing theme at the end of the Series 10 Grand Final, similarly to the Complete Compendium 2017 DVD release, substituting for Queen's "Who Wants to Live Forever" originally featured on BBC Two/iPlayer airings.
A number of changes were also present in remastered episodes of Dutch Series 1:
- A full 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio in common with UK Series 5 and Extreme Series 1, in place of the cropped 4:3 ratio present in BNN recordings.
- The omission of Eric Corton's commentary as heard in original BNN airings; segments affected include battles, replays, competitor/House Robot introductions and battleboard transitions.
- References to the Jury in subtitles as 'judges' in line with the UK Series, though the remaining onscreen uses of 'jury' are left intact.
The aforementioned differences suggest that some of the master tapes remastered by Mech+ were based on earlier versions of their respective episodes, made prior to the final versions being completed and broadcast on television.
Other Programming[]
Alongside Robot Wars, Mech+ also initially offered every series of the Mentorn-produced spin-off Techno Games,[109] as well as the first season of the BASE Productions automotive reality series Car Warriors.[110][111] These were later joined by other shows including the 2003 CITV series Rescue Robots, based on an idea conceived by Classic Series roboteer Adam Clark, which began streaming in its entirety on 1 July 2022.[112]
Below is a table of non-Robot Wars programming to have been introduced by Mech+ as of January 2025:
Series | Production Company | Original Broadcaster | Original Run | Series/ Season |
Mech+ Premiere | Programme Description/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Techno Games | TV21/Mentorn | BBC Two (UK) | March 2000-March 2003 | 1-4 | Late March/ early April 2022[109] |
Spin-off of the original Robot Wars run hosted by Ulrika Jonsson (Series 1), Jayne Middlemiss (Series 2) and Philippa Forrester (Series 3-4). Features multiple non-combat events and a number of competitor teams and personalities associated with both runs. |
Car Warriors | BASE Productions | Speed (USA) | February-May 2012 | 1-2 | Late March/ early April 2022 (Season 1)[110] 21 October 2022 (Season 2)[113][114] |
Automotive reality series in which two car restoration teams are challenged to restore and modify their vehicles within a 72-hour (Season 1) or 48-hour (Season 2) timeframe. Initially, only the 10-episode Season 1 was available from launch, later to be joined by the 12-episode Season 2 with a revised format.[113] |
Rescue Robots | Mentorn | CITV (UK) | July-September 2003 | 1 | 1 July 2022[112] | Children's game show involving a team of 'Rescue Robots' saving 'Calamity City' from disaster, each in a series of time and teamwork-based challenges. Based on an idea conceived by Adam Clark. Full 15-episode run including those not previously aired by CITV. |
Beyond Our Earth | Wildbear Entertainment[115] | kabel eins Doku (Germany, March-April 2021)[116] | 2020 | 1 | 29 July 2022[117] | Six-part documentary series covering space exploration and scientific studies on the outer reaches of the universe. Originally aired in Germany under the title Faszination Kosmos: Vom Mond in die Unendlichkeit (English: Fascination Cosmos: From the Moon to Infinity).[116] |
Future Warfare | Wildbear Entertainment[118] | N-TV (Germany)[119] | 2019 (Germany) | 1 | 5 August 2022[120] | Four-part documentary series exploring technological and scientific advancements in modern warfare. |
Machinery of War | Wildbear Entertainment[121] | N/A | 2019[122][123] | 1 | 12 August 2022[124] | Six-part documentary series covering developments in military vehicles, weapons and technologies from the twentieth century onwards. |
Cold War: The Tech Race | Wildbear Entertainment[125] | N/A | 2022[126] | 1 | 19 August 2022[127] | Four-part documentary series on scientific and technological advancements made during the Cold War. |
Bridging The Expanse | Wildbear Entertainment[128] | N/A | 2019[128] | 1 | 26 August 2022[129] | Six-part documentary series covering the design, engineering and history of some of the world's most famous bridges and viaducts. |
How to Build a City | Wildbear Entertainment[130] | N/A | 2021[130] | 1 | 2 September 2022[131] | Eight-part series focusing on the history and development of some of the world's biggest cities. |
This is Fighting Robots | TheMakers | Youku (China) |
April-June 2018 | 1 | 25 November 2022[132][133] | Chinese robot combat show, spanning ten episodes, where teams lead by celebrities battle through a series of elimination and points-scoring rounds. Originally produced as a spin-off of King of Bots (a similar show produced by TheMakers), featuring international teams who also competed in Robot Wars and BattleBots. Chinese-language version with English subtitles.[133] |
James May's Toy Stories | Plum Pictures[134] | BBC Two (UK) | October-December 2009 (original series) June 2011-December 2014 (specials) |
1 | 17 February 2023[135] (original series) 3 March 2023 (specials)[136] |
BAFTA-nominated series fronted by James May of Top Gear and The Grand Tour fame. Each episode focuses on the history and ambitious feats achieved with some of the UK's most famous toys. Amongst the projects include a life-sized Airfix model of a Supermarine Spitfire fighter plane, a record-breaking Scalextric recreation of the Brooklands circuit, and a full-sized house made out of three and a half million Lego pieces.[134][137] Initially, only the original six-part series was added, with Mech+ later announcing that the 2011-2014 specials would follow on 3 March.[136] |
James May: The Reassembler | Plum Pictures[134] | BBC Four (UK) | April 2016-January 2017 | 2 | 24 February 2023[138] (Series 1) 5 May 2023[139] (Series 2) |
Short documentary series in which James May reassembles vintage objects - such as a petrol lawnmower, dial telephone and electric guitar - while discussing the design, engineering and social history behind them. Alternatively titled The Reassembler.[134] |
James May's Man Lab | Plum Pictures[134] | BBC Two/ BBC HD (UK) |
October 2010-April 2013 | 3 | 17 March 2023[140] (Series 1) 21 April 2023[141] (Series 2) 2 June 2023[142] (Series 3) |
With the help of volunteers and celebrity guests, James May explores and attempts to 're-teach' a variety of traditional skills which are at risk of being lost for future generations. Also titled James May's Man Labs. Following the initial addition of the three-part Series 1, all five episodes of Series 2 premiered on 21-22 April.[140][141] Series 3, also consisting of five episodes, was later added on 2 June.[142] |
The Last Miners | Keo Films[143] | BBC One (UK) | November 2016[143] | 1 | 28 April 2023[144] | Two-part documentary on the workers of Kellingley Colliery, the UK's last deep coal mine. Filmed during and after the last five weeks of the mine's operation, including its official closure on 18 December 2015.[143][145][144] |
The Great UFO Conspiracy | Plum Pictures[134] | More4 (UK)[146] | March 2015[146] | N/A | 19 May 2023[147] | One-off documentary, in which producer, writer and comedian Dan Schreiber investigates a series of contemporary extraterrestrial conspiracy threories originating from the UK.[134] |
King of Bots | TheMakers | Zhejiang Satellite Television Network (China) | January 2018-September 2019 | 2 (Season 1 currently available) |
3 November 2023[148] | Chinese robot combat series, featuring a variety of domestic-built robots and international teams recognisable from Robot Wars, BattleBots and other similar competitions. Many of the teams also competed in the sister show This is Fighting Robots, though the first season predates this. Chinese-language version with English subtitles.[148] |
Robot Rebellion | Atwell Production Services & World of Woodrow | Robot Rebellion (YouTube)[149] | November 2023-June 2024 | 1 | 8 March 2024[150] | Web series covering the 2023 Robot Rebellion "Beetle Belt" competition at Chatham Historic Dockyard. Features beetleweight robots weighing no more than 1.5kg, along with roboteers with prior competitive experience in Robot Wars, BattleBots, plus UK and international live events in this weight category. The first 15 episodes were added on 8 March, covering the main 2023 "Beetle Belt" championship.[151] These were joined on 7 June by the end-of-series Annihilator, Tag Team and Whiteboards specials; Mech+ would be the first service to premiere the latter episode.[152] |
Drone Combat | Egg & Alan Stein | Drone Combat[153] | 2022 | 1 (pilot episode + "Explainer Videos") |
5 April 2024[154] | Pilot episode, showcasing an aerial drone competition staged and filmed in Granja Las Américas, Mexico City, in mid-2022.[155] Four pilots compete against each other in a 'three-round showdown', comprising of head-to-head challenges with points-scoring and combat elements. Footage of additional Drone Combat events in Budapest, New York City/New Jersey and Austria is also incorporated as previews of prospective future episodes. Alongside the "Mexico City" pilot, a series of "Explainer Videos" are also available, explaining the T.A.S.S.C. (Target Accuracy Sequential Speed Contest) system and rules of the "Treasure Map", "Dogfight" and "Invader" round formats.[156] |
MechMania | Rodeo Digital Studio for Mech TV Ltd Alan Young & Robots Live! (Live production) |
Mech+ | January-February 2025 |
1 | 13 January 2025[157] | Robot combat series hosted and filmed as part of the 2024 Robots Live! tour. Features concurrent tournaments for sportsman heavyweight and featherweight machinery, taking place across four events at different venues across the United Kingdom. Episodes were added weekly, beginning with Episode 1 - covering the opening Grantham Heat - on 13 January 2025.[158] For more information, see below. |
The initial YouTube launch trailer also teased further science, robotics and engineering-based programmes to be added to the service, though the timeframe and exact shows are yet to be confirmed.[7]
MechMania[]

MechMania 2024 logo
In March 2024, Mech+ announced a collaboration with UK live event organiser Robots Live! to host and film a brand-new robot combat competition - MechMania. A trailer previewing the forthcoming event (also referred to as MechMania 2024 in early promotional materials) was released on 14 March, with further information being revealed by Robots Live! through a Facebook livestream the following week. It was confirmed through the latter that MechMania 2024 would retain the live focus of the existing Robots Live! events, but be filmed for streaming on the Mech+ service, spanning a total of four events. Events include three "Heats" at Grantham, K2 Crawley and Stoke-on-Trent - all being previously-announced events on the Robots Live! 2024 tour - plus a "Grand Final" event at the Venue Cymru Arena, Llandudno, which took place on 23-24 November. Heavyweight and featherweight classes were confirmed, along with cash prizes, no entry fees and no limits on sponsorship for competing robots.[159][160][161][162]
Applications for heavyweight and featherweight competitors opened on 4 May 2024, with a closing date of 31 May.[163]
Following a series of public posts hinting towards a possible winter 2024/2025 release,[164][165][166] the first episode of MechMania premiered on Mech+ on 13 January 2025, with the remaining three being added each Monday thereafter.[167][168][169] The show would be presented by regular Robots Live! hosts Dave Young and Rob Taylor, with singer-songwriter, musician and livestreamer Emma McGann as narrator. The news of McGann's involvement was officially announced on 10 January via her YouTube and social media feeds.[170]
Episode Listings[]
Episode Title | Venue | Event Dates | Mech+ Premiere |
---|---|---|---|
Episode 1 | Meres Leisure Centre, Grantham | 13-14 July 2024 | 13 January 2025 |
Episode 2 | K2 Crawley, Crawley | 7-8 September 2024 | 20 January 2025 |
Episode 3 | Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke-on-Trent | 26-27 October 2024 | 27 January 2025 |
Episode 4 (Grand Final) | Venue Cymru, Llandudno | 23-24 November 2024 | 3 February 2025 |
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 https://www.facebook.com/officialmechplus/posts/pfbid0ZkHywFkSJrpAcho5W5yCrhkyaf3wKMr6E56uaGf4Rai4mkNCgN215DLah4CBiwtel
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1638529323069063168
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1674794559182880768
- ↑ https://suite.endole.co.uk/insight/company/13698244-mech-tv-limited
- ↑ https://www.tinopolis.com/about/
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Mech+ FreeView announcement
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yksqSHvHgZo
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUoM5DuNpyM
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1542479134034739200
- ↑ https://watch.mech-plus.com/settings/faq
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSIVSYXOo1q0QuE64DxXC-g/about
- ↑ https://appadvice.com/app/mech/1611746916
- ↑ https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mechtv.robotwars
- ↑ https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mech/id1611746916
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1514555145635381250
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/officialmechplus/posts/109449025097135:1
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1536276633333682176
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1646898329425510401
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/robotsliveshow/posts/pfbid0bQi5ZTJvt5pgFfNuURSjV4AFDCjekYL316fdqjHY7Y1KnzNALg88w8EKn4tob6S3l
- ↑ https://www.samsung.com/uk/tvs/smart-tv/samsung-tv-plus/
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1653428083666419722
- ↑ https://www.rakuten.tv/uk
- ↑ https://www.vidaa.com/vidaa-os/
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1661302822917271553
- ↑ https://www.vidaa.com/
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1666775370517839874
- ↑ https://watch.plex.tv/show/robot-wars
- ↑ https://watch.plex.tv/show/robot-wars-2
- ↑ https://www.plex.tv/
- ↑ https://www.lg.com/ca_en/tv-audio-video/lg-channels/index.jsp
- ↑ https://www.freeview.co.uk/
- ↑ 33.0 33.1 https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1752357785906348140
- ↑ https://channelstore.roku.com/en-gb/details/ad2d6ee0881086da056248d67ad8c4e4/mech
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1755629269051462096
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/officialmechplus/posts/pfbid037cdQKFwAYFajhcdUE4U3U4ip4P7TRWpj73Ymut2JfgyStmDFthdVeXfLCL1ezCC5l
- ↑ https://www.sling.com
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/plutotvuk/posts/pfbid02n3wmywx768bH4V1jKWt6feewXCmJbjAMgu884b5Nk5ErLaLZaAiECpMmrgvZnEFwl
- ↑ https://pluto.tv/en/search/details/channels/64ff1d3d3a0d700008b110e9/
- ↑ https://localnow.com/
- ↑ https://www.rapidtvnews.com/2023050363721/mech-tv-continues-fast-channel-expansion-with-rakuten-tv.html#axzz80dWaesl3
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1711313148857213306
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/officialmechplus/posts/pfbid0gz6a15K187iQ3dbWLQiHZkEdrzMmnkDSioZpiQjPiwzAnsZMfB8rMXynWzsCHEN9l
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1714325399533129891
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1747952441847435283
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/officialmechplus/posts/pfbid02BNAU9cMZmuAsqhDrninvJZjkpTupqcBS3oRF1gHLv6t4GZ8G9ASM9DyqiUJovAoNl
- ↑ 'Robot Wars - YouTube', accessed 10 September 2024
- ↑ https://www.reddit.com/r/battlebots/comments/u0icq0/good_news_for_robot_wars_fans/i472elh/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1521806980159053827
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1522515634852179968
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1525052526588055552
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1527323352657895425
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1530136577669836800
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1532718089862799360
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1535227282750681088
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1534838246580027393
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/officialmechplus/posts/118042354237802?comment_id=118233504218687&reply_comment_id=875646880503119
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1556659553714016256
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1565700433489940480
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1567129524680138752
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1568165101974208513
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1570026929893392385
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1572545815088074753
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1575438550400569345
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1578317097855520770
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1580114426006364160
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1600496303473135622
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1603788692488847362
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1587138427526565891
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1587136723439558657
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HJwY4QTwvwg
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1719640434585063891
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1783784630954438931
- ↑ 74.0 74.1 'Robot Wars, The First Wars - Episode 1', Mech Plus (YouTube), streamed 9 February 2024
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/UKRobotWars/videos/2039131043125162
- ↑ 76.0 76.1 'Robot Wars, The Second Wars - Episode 1', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 22 February 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars Revealed - Episode 1| Full Episode', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 29 February 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars, Series 8 - Grand Final | Full Episode', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 7 March 2024
- ↑ 79.0 79.1 'Robot Wars, The Fourth Wars - Celebrity Special | Full Episode', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 14 March 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars - The Third World Championship | Full Episode', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 21 March 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars - Northern Annihilator | Full Episode', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 28 March 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars - Southern Annihilator | Full Episode', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 4 April 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars - Tag Team Terror | Full Episode', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 11 April 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars, War of Independence | Full Episode', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 25 April 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars, UK Vs Germany | Full Episode', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 2 May 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars, The Dutch Wars - Episode 1 | Full Episode in HD', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 16 May 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars, Extreme 1 - Episode 1 | Full Episode HD', Robot Wars (YouTube), uploaded 26 September 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars, First World Championship | Full Episode HD', Robot Wars (YouTube), uploaded 3 October 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars, Series 5 - Episode 1 | Full Episode HD', Robot Wars (YouTube), uploaded 10 October 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars, Battle of the Stars - Episode 1 | Celebrity Robot Wars HD', Robot Wars (YouTube), uploaded 23 December 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars, Battle of the Stars - Episode 2 | Celebrity Robot Wars HD', Robot Wars (YouTube), uploaded 24 December 2024
- ↑ Community post by the Mech Plus YouTube channel, 1 March 2024
- ↑ 'Robot Wars - Series 1 Marathon', Mech Plus (YouTube), streamed 1-3 March 2024
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1570370034962255875
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1584541411143487489
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1585653719613456385
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1P28rvu6tzo
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc9jNq5f4hE
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1627687150203330561
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Nx9-3s9mnPg
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PiVqpWh3_UU
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/swPPu5mbSco
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rP7vIMJclFo
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ioIMSkiRGUk
- ↑ 'Robot Wars - Most Original Entries | Mech+', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 27 July 2023
- ↑ 'Robot Wars - Best Design | Mech+', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 3 August 2023
- ↑ 'Robot Wars - Best Engineered | Mech+', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 18 August 2023
- ↑ 'Robot Wars - Sportsmanship Awards | Mech+', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 21 November 2023
- ↑ 109.0 109.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNDhd5z0MVY
- ↑ 110.0 110.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgkzkwzMigs
- ↑ https://watch.mech-plus.com/series
- ↑ 112.0 112.1 https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1542528093709115392
- ↑ 113.0 113.1 https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1582726657332236288
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1583446868646064128
- ↑ https://www.wildbear.tv/work/beyond-our-earth/
- ↑ 116.0 116.1 https://www.wunschliste.de/serie/faszination-kosmos-vom-mond-in-die-unendlichkeit/staffel-0/49262
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1551872171965915138
- ↑ https://www.passiondistribution.com/news/news/passion-distribution-takes-history-around-the-world/
- ↑ https://www.c21media.net/news/n-tv-engineers-deal-for-wildbear-trio/
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/officialmechplus/videos/731236111279965/
- ↑ https://www.passiondistribution.com/media/142611/passion-distribution-new-programming-catalogue-mipcom-2018.pdf
- ↑ https://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/the-screen-guide/t/machinery-of-war-2019/37977/
- ↑ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9389472/
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1556984516174135298
- ↑ https://www.passiondistribution.com/news/news/passion-distribution-announces-autumn-slate-of-programming-and-launch-of-pop-up-market/
- ↑ https://m.imdb.com/title/tt21265050/
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1560228415826976769
- ↑ 128.0 128.1 https://www.tinopolis.com/media-centre/news/passion-distribution-announces-new-factual-acquisitions/
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1562111985545875458
- ↑ 130.0 130.1 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13515856/
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1565349518467403776
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1587098154704551941
- ↑ 133.0 133.1 https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1590343462074822657
- ↑ 134.0 134.1 134.2 134.3 134.4 134.5 134.6 https://www.plumpictures.co.uk/productions
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1625902763917053952
- ↑ 136.0 136.1 https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1631317339546189825
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1626272696450568193
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1629078254551199744
- ↑ >https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1654097371884658688
- ↑ 140.0 140.1 https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1636699870697336834
- ↑ 141.0 141.1 https://www.facebook.com/officialmechplus/posts/pfbid02tGpT9DyyrUAz9oLcic2PtvtevYLx1GzkT8G3JFwF6eaKQs1FWEFANpPyn3oYWG1Gl
- ↑ 142.0 142.1 https://www.facebook.com/officialmechplus/posts/pfbid02NFvVuxezDFVxj7SM9ZBfapmhnTv2vTqAurNCbij49BwfFHjfSvXibt1sxcr5gQAil
- ↑ 143.0 143.1 143.2 http://www.keofilms.com/projects/the-last-miners/
- ↑ 144.0 144.1 https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1651556803371737090
- ↑ https://hattrickinternational.co.uk/shows/Coalface
- ↑ 146.0 146.1 https://www.channel4.com/press/news/interview-dan-schreiber-about-great-ufo-conspiracy
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1658864962796675073
- ↑ 148.0 148.1 https://www.facebook.com/officialmechplus/posts/pfbid037LdRJLE5hBVm4sfHjSfBhrw5xnyPHJYgqMzNQ77ufeWWWBcxy1QJ3sGcjuja8VD9l
- ↑ 'Robot Rebellion - YouTube', YouTube
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1766174946491838677
- ↑ 'Robot Rebellion - Mech+', Mech+
- ↑ https://x.com/Mech_Plus/status/1798670529639166122
- ↑ 'Drone Combat - YouTube', YouTube
- ↑ https://twitter.com/Mech_Plus/status/1776234696604606815
- ↑ 'Coming to a City Near YOU! - Drone Combat', Drone Combat (YouTube), uploaded 22 August 2022
- ↑ https://www.mech-plus.com/drone-combat
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/officialmechplus/videos/623470640143177
- ↑ https://www.mech-plus.com/mechmania-coming-soon
- ↑ 'Robots Live presents MechMania 2024', Mech Plus (YouTube), uploaded 14 March 2024
- ↑ Official Facebook livestream by Robots Live!, revealing details on MechMania 2024, 20 March 2024
- ↑ 'Mech Mania | Robots Live' Robots Live! website
- ↑ Announcement video by Robots Live! on the dates and venues of the 2024 MechMania final, 4 May 2024
- ↑ 'APPLY | Robots Live', Robots Live! website
- ↑ https://x.com/Mech_Plus/status/1869702995140821265
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/officialmechplus/posts/pfbid02yPmwoFRuF76ncQY8yzdUhhypWbWha97P7kTfmyi2bhGx3Q57RmP5gxdxrnCY4gKnl
- ↑ Public message by Dave Young in the Out of the Arena Discord server, mentioning a tentative December 2024 release for MechMania
- ↑ https://x.com/Mech_Plus/status/1876327879744905607
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/watch?v=1151749196337485
- ↑ https://www.facebook.com/officialmechplus/videos/623470640143177
- ↑ 'Exciting news! I’m the new voice and narrator for MechMania! #shorts #robotwars #robots #robot', EmmaMcGann (YouTube), uploaded 10 January 2025
External Links[]
- Mech+ website
- Mech+ on the Apple iOS App Store
- Mech+ on the Google Play Store
- Mech+ Twitter feed
- Mech+ 'Robot Wars' YouTube Channel
- Mech+ Facebook page
- Mech+ TikTok page
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