09-08-2021, 07:37 PM
Solari post_id=33379 time= user_id=1734 Wrote:London Lite post_id=33372 time= user_id=953 Wrote:Sky One was certainly great when it got first run episodes of US shows before the terrestrial channels, but times changed where people were watching those shows elsewhere or by using illegal means to watch at US pace instead.
Sky's policy of splitting the general entertainment shows onto linear/VOD hybrid brands seems to have worked to the point where viewers are choosing to watch comedy on one channel, quality US drama on another, which left Sky One out of sync with some UK commissions, The Simpsons and left-over CW Marvel commissions.
The overall changes should be an improvement for linear viewers who with Sky Max will no longer get sports events or old films, but a more curated schedule of general entertainment similar to what Sky One is doing now, while Showcase keeps The Simpsons and allows Sky to promote Sports/Cinema to Ent only customers along with the other entertainment channels in Sky's portfolio.
Yes, I agree - certainly a change for the better. Though I do question the merits of them axing the Sky One brand, something which has been around for more than 30 years, and resonates with viewers in a way that I somehow doubt 'Sky Showcase' will. But we shall see - indeed I, along with some others here and elsewhere, suspect that it is a way of making a clean break should Sky indeed lose the rights to The Simpsons, a show that has surely defined Sky One over the years more than any other (certainly more than any original commission).
I think An Idiot Abroad was Sky One's last swansong to be honest. For the last few years it's limped on with a couple of half decent UK commissions which haven't ben accepted as much as An Idiot Abroad, along with CW shows and The Simpsons. The Russell Howard Hour was the last show I felt was appointment to view tv, but even then I'd watch it on VOD over linear.
The more credible UK stuff went on Atlantic instead which was the start of the beginning of the end.
Max has potential with some of the current Sky One formats, such as A League of their Own and The Russell Howard Hour, but without having to worry about linear ratings as much. VOD will be the factor which keeps those shows on-air rather than bums on seats when they're scheduled on the linear channel.