Gala Bingo, part of the Gala Coral Group and the UK’s number one bingo operator, today launches Gala TV, the first live interactive bingo television channel.

In partnership with production company Endemol UK, the channel will broadcast live interactive programming throughout the day, with 8 hours of live, presenter-led bingo between 5pm-1am.

Dominic Harrison, Gala Coral Group's e-commerce managing director, said: “At Gala we are delighted to offer bingo lovers another way to play the game they enjoy, especially as it is a first for the industry. Gala TV is a further advance for the Gala Bingo brand and gives our customers the options to ‘feel the buzz’ of playing bingo on TV as well as in the clubs and online."

Experienced bingo callers from Gala Bingo’s clubs across the UK will present the shows, available on Channel 841 on Sky Digital.

At the same time, Andrew Thompson, Channel 4’s head of sport, confirmed today that the channel has commissioned Tiger Aspect to produce three 60-minute documentaries about the gambling habits of modern Britain.

Presented by writer, comedian and presenter Hardeep Singh Kohli, a keen poker player, the programmes will explore the ‘cool’ new face of British gambling.