Sky is to significantly increasing its commitment to the arts, creating separate channels to reflect contemporary and classic programming, and sitting alongside a dedicated HD channel.
Sky Arts 1 will feature contemporary programming including rock concerts, documentaries and the celebrity ‘hijack’ series. Sky Arts 2 will feature more classical art content such as opera, classical music, fine art programming and dance performances. Sky Arts HD will carry a mix of both channels in the HD format.
“Arts is integral to the Sky platform and we now have the wealth and breadth of diverse arts content to warrant 2 dedicated arts channels. At a time when other broadcasters’ commitment to the arts is open to question, we firmly believe in giving our customers the best choice, all delivered in the highest possibly quality, HD,” commented Sophie Turner Laing, MD Entertainment.
Sky Arts was created from the former Artsworld, the premium channel in which Sky purchased a 50% share, taking full control in June 2005 and moving it to basic. It was rebranded in Match 2007 as Sky Arts.
In July Performance Channel closed after 23 years on the air. The EPG position was purchased from owners Eicom giving Sky a higher position on the guide and benefitting from Monday’s channel reshuffle.
