Sky Portfolio Changes

[Kunst]

What I don't understand is why they don't use Pick as a showcase for Sky content. Show the first few episodes of a Sky series, throw in the odd movie and sports event. Would this not be a proper shop window and advert for Sky? They could say at the end of the show if you want to see the rest of the series you can find it on Sky Witness/Atlantic. Basically a promo channel for Sky?

They've tried that in the past but it doesn't work. Pick is a channel in its own right and it, Challenge and Sky Arts are there to make advertising money from the free-to-air market and viewers that will never have any intention of signing up for Sky, of which there are millions.

Moreover, the amount of Sky promotions there, simply suffices

[MattyHusted]

sad to see sky one go got fond memories of watching the Simpsons,Games world,King Of The Hill, Xena and Hercules and many other shows

[adamiow]

Based on Sky's description of Sky Showcase, I am not sure the name fits. Personally, I'd think a showcase channel is showing off what you could have if you subscribe rather than a curated selection of the best new shows.

[all new Phil]

What I don't understand is why they don't use Pick as a showcase for Sky content. Show the first few episodes of a Sky series, throw in the odd movie and sports event. Would this not be a proper shop window and advert for Sky? They could say at the end of the show if you want to see the rest of the series you can find it on Sky Witness/Atlantic. Basically a promo channel for Sky?

And how well does this serve viewers? Why on earth would anyone want to watch a channel that only shows you an episode or two of a series? That simply isn’t a sustainable model.

[all new Phil]

Based on Sky's description of Sky Showcase, I am not sure the name fits. Personally, I'd think a showcase channel is showing off what you could have if you subscribe rather than a curated selection of the best new shows.

Seems fine to me. That’s just your interpretation.

[RegularCapital]

The possible real reason for the channel portfolio changes and the closure of Sky One:

https://twitter.com/a516digital/status/1...2230673416
https://twitter.com/a516digital/status/1...3484766209

Also:
https://twitter.com/a516digital/status/1...1890126855

[Blubatt]

Part of me is still surprised that they're changing Sky One after all this time, when if the writing has been on the wall for some time. I think where Sky has gone wrong, in its quest for dominance, is that content is spread very thin across dozens of channels (and its well over a dozen).

I like the idea of Sky Showcase, because with the channels spread so thin, there will always be things you could miss out on. There may be a great concert on Sky Arts, or a really interesting show on Sky Documentaries, but it won't be seen by as many eyes.

However, I agree that splitting Sky One into Max and Showcase is a bit head scratching. You'd want the channel with original programming to be front and centre. That's what you put time into, so therefore it is your flagship.

[Roger Darthwell]

The question on everyone's lips: what does this mean for Hour of Power?

What is the Hour of Power?

[RR]

A few interesting things here. First of all, we are seeing the demise of one of the longest established brands in satellite tv, indeed the first U.K. satellite TV channel, counting its previous existence as Sky Channel. Does it leave Sky News, MTV, and Eurosport (which briefly closed for a bit I think) the only 1980s survivors left standing?

Technically speaking Discovery was available on satellite from 1989, but not on Astra until the Sky Multichannels started - being largely designed for cable initially.

[Brekkie]

Looking at the EPG presumably one channel (Sky Nature perhaps) will have to get bumped down to 145 (replacing Sky Replay) unless they expect either National Geographic or Discovery to end their linear broadcasts (looks like 130 is free as well actually).

(Off topic but how long has C4 been on 108 in Wales, bumping the next few channels down a slot? C4 website still states it's on 117.)

[Kunst]

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 (on-Demand)
E! – 151
SyFy - 152

The EPG will look like that (Sky's article)

[Rob]

The question on everyone's lips: what does this mean for Hour of Power?

What is the Hour of Power?

Religious programme that has been on Sky One every Sunday morning since ever...

[Roger Darthwell]

The question on everyone's lips: what does this mean for Hour of Power?

What is the Hour of Power?

Religious programme that has been on Sky One every Sunday morning since ever...

Thank you Rob, indeed this makes me wondering if this religious programme will be scrapped

[Kunst]

Looking at the EPG presumably one channel (Sky Nature perhaps) will have to get bumped down to 145 (replacing Sky Replay) unless they expect either National Geographic or Discovery to end their linear broadcasts (looks like 130 is free as well actually).

(Off topic but how long has C4 been on 108 in Wales, bumping the next few channels down a slot? C4 website still states it's on 117.)

And the reason for the use of 130 is, Fox UK (channel 124) has closed down

[Rob]

I'm sad to see the Sky One name disappear.

The 1989-1993 ident had a great soundtrack...

https://soundcloud.com/tvlivewebsite/sky...soundtrack