Sky announces major TV shake-up as Sky One axed and two brand new channels launched

SKY has announced a major TV shake-up as Sky One is axed and two brand new channels are launched.

Sky One originally launched in 1982 but after almost 40 years it is being replaced by a new channel, Sky Showcase.

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Sky One's 106 slot will be taken over by Sky Showcase, a linear-only channel which will "curate a selection of the best TV shows from across Sky’s portfolio of entertainment brands”.

It will be joined by Sky Max - a channel and an on-demand service - which will be the new home for Sky Original dramas and entertainment.

Sky Showcase will feature shows from across the Sky portfolio including Sky Witness, Sky Documentaries, Sky Crime, Sky Nature, Sky Arts, Sky Max, Sky Comedy, Sky History, Sky Kids, SyFy and E! 

Sky Cinema and Sky Sports highlights will also be part of its scheduling.

"I think it is time for a reset"

Meanwhile Sky Max's launch will coincide with the return of Never Mind the Buzzcocks, The Russell Howard Hour and DC Superheroes.

The channels will be available to Sky customers from September 1 at no extra charge.

Sky’s Director of Programmes for UK & Ireland Jamie Morris said: "Sky One had a brilliant year, from A Discovery of Witches at the beginning of the year to Flight Attendant to the Friends Reunion so we know that it’s in rude health content wise – but I think it is time for a reset."

He added to : "Sky One means many things to many people and we didn’t want to change what it meant, we kind of felt we wanted to go into this new direction.

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“We just want to be really clear to our customers and allow those really big content pieces to be easier than ever to find and we think Sky Showcase, sat side by side with the rest of the key content, will make those shows shine even greater.”

As for Sky Max, he told : "It will really be shorthand for ‘blockbuster entertainment,’ whether that’s in U.K. originals…or U.S. drama."

It will differ from Sky Atlantic, which he described as “the home of U.S. premium drama, as in really chewy, grown-up drama."

This includes the likes of smash hit drama Gangs of London, while Sky Max's content will be “really premium in values but entertainment at its heart.”

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Sky Showcase and Sky Max will launch on Wednesday, September 1.