In a move to help customers easily find programmes that they love and to discover new shows, Sky TV will be retiring Sky One, one of its most popular channels, and replacing it with a new flagship brand Sky Showcase, as well as launching a further new service, Sky Max.
Sky One launched across Europe in April 1982 and is the oldest non-terrestrial TV channel in the UK.
Sky Showcase, a linear-only main event channel, will curate a selection of the top shows from across Sky’s portfolio of entertainment brands, airing content from Sky Witness, Sky Documentaries, Sky Crime, Sky Nature, Sky Arts, Sky Max, Sky Comedy, Sky History, Sky Kids, SyFy and E!. So when you’re not sure what you’re in the mood for, Sky Showcase is the place to go to find something new to watch.
Sky Max will be a linear channel and on demand service, which the network says will be the home of “blockbuster entertainment”, including original dramas such as A Discovery of Witches and COBRA and original comedy entertainment including panel shows like A League of Their Own and the return of Never Mind The Buzzcocks. Sky Max is where you’ll now find all the addictive blockbuster entertainment you know and love.
Sky will also be updating Sky Comedy so it now becomes the home of Sky Original Comedy including shows such as Code 404 and Hitmen Reloaded, that were previously on Sky One, alongside the Best of US comedy such as The Office US, PEN15 and Miracle Workers. So if you’re after a laugh, Sky Comedy is the place to go.
Sky Atlantic will remain the home of high-concept original dramas such as Landscapers, I Hate Suzie, Gangs of London and Chernobyl, as well as being the home of drama from HBO and Showtime.
At launch Sky Showcase will hero all new Sky Original drama Wolfe, documentaries such as Hawking and The Bambers: Murder at the Farm; high profile original nature series such as Shark with Steve Backshall, as well as the best of the US including Young Rock and SWAT.
Sky Max’s launch schedule will include blockbuster entertainment such as the return of Never Mind the Buzzcocks, The Russell Howard Hour and DC Superheroes.
In this golden age of television, the sheer volume of incredible programming can be overwhelming. Over the last 12 months we’ve been making it easier for people to find what they want to watch. From September those looking for the very best of Sky will find it at the top of their programme guide on Sky Showcase, while Sky Max will become the new home of blockbuster entertainment joining the host of genre-led channels launched in the past year – so whether you’re in the mood for true crime, a documentary or just a laugh there’s always a channel to suit. And if you’re not sure what to watch Sky Showcase will curate some of the highlights from our line-up so you can find something new to watch.
Coming into effect from 1 September, the channels will be available to Sky customers at no extra charge. They will also launch on streaming service NOW and on Virgin and BT.
Sky’s new-look portfolio, including their EPG slots from September 1st, are:
- Sky Showcase – 106
- Sky Max – 113
- Sky Witness – 107
- Sky Atlantic – 108
- Sky Comedy – 114
- Sky Documentaries – 121
- Sky Crime – 122
- Sky History – 123
- Sky Nature – 124
- Sky Arts – 130
- Sky Kids
- E! – 151
- SyFy – 152