Sky is making major changes to its suite of entertainment channels, in the process replacing Sky One with a new flagship brand.
Launching in September, Sky Showcase will be a linear-only ‘main event’ channel that will curate a selection of the top shows from across Sky’s portfolio of entertainment brands including Sky Witness, Sky Documentaries, Sky Crime, Sky Nature, Sky Arts, Sky Max, Sky Comedy, Sky History, Sky Kids, SyFy and E!. It will also air selected highlights from Sky Cinema and Sky Sports.
Sky Showcase follows the model of Sky Sports Main Event that moves between the most significant fixtures from the individual Sky Sports channels.
Also launching is Sky Max, a linear channel and on demand service, that will be home to Sky’s entertainment content such as original dramas 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 Comedy will benefit from the transfer of Sky One shows Code 404 and Hitmen Reloaded and will continue to screen the best of US comedy such as The Office US, PEN15 and Miracle Workers.
Sky Atlantic will continue to offer a slate of 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.
Zai Bennett, MD of Content Sky UK & ROI, said: “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.”
The changes will come into effect from 1 September and the new channels have been confirmed to on streaming service NOW and on Virgin and BT.
Sky One evolved out of the old Sky Channel shortly after the launch of the original four-channel analogue package in February 1989.
Sky’s entertainment channels and EPG numbers from September 1
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
