New Sky channel ‘pop-up’ to hit TV guides in weeks – but it will only be available to watch for a few days
A NEW TV channel is coming to Sky and Now streaming platforms in November - but it will only be available to watch for a few days.
It will appear only for the upcoming fireworks season, and for a good cause.
Guy Fawkes Night is coming up fast, but the occasion can commonly cause distress to pets.
In collaboration with charity Dogs Trust, Sky and Now have launched a time limited channel to keep our four-legged friends calm during fireworks displays.
The new dog-friendly channel, called BonfireNight, will broadcast 21 movies, including blockbusters like Barbie and Anyone But You.
The films have been carefully selected by experts at Dogs Trust for dogs to ease the anxiety triggered by loud bangs and pops.
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But owners are expected to love them too, with experts saying a relaxed owner will lead to a relaxed pup.
It's safe to say that the Halloween fright nights will be wrapped up in exchange for funny, light-hearted family classics.
Beloved comedy Step Brothers will be on the schedule, alongside the iconic E.T., the Bridget Jones trilogy and Shrek 1.
BonfireNight will be available to watch on Sky channel 310 from 6am on November 1 until 6am on November 6.
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For those who don't have Sky, it will be available to watch on demand with a Now Cinema pass.
"As a dog lover myself, I know all too well how stressful Bonfire Night can be," Jamie Morris, Sky’s Director of Content Strategy & Performance, said.
"That's why we wanted to create something supportive to help dogs and their owners."
Around half of dogs in the UK are affected by fireworks, and fear can even develop in dogs who previously haven't shown signs of distress, according to Jenna Kiddie, head of canine behaviour at Dogs Trust.
“A calm, relaxed environment can make a big difference in helping your dog feel safe and supported during firework season, so owners should plan for a cosy night in with them," she added.
"Close the curtains, turn on the TV, and if your dog does seem worried, it’s worth distracting them with a game or treats to keep their attention away from the noises outside."
New Sky TV remote trick
Sky has also introduced a new Sky remote trick to mark the occasion.
All the movies from the Bonfire Night collection will be put on a dedicated page on the Sky platform.
Viewers can pull up this page by simply holding down the blue microphone button on their Sky Glass or Sky Stream remote and saying "bark".
Sky customers can use similar voice tricks to pull up other shows and movies.
For example, try saying “I’ll be there for you” into the remote to pull up fan-favourite sitcom Friends on the telly.
Or, try saying "You can't handle the truth!" to bring up the movie A Few Good Men and "My Precious" for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.