Sky is deleting a popular entertainment channel for all customers, including those who watch Sky + HD, Sky Q, NOW and Virgin Media. As part of its recent reorganization, UK satellite company removed Sky One from the EPG electronic program guide. But don’t panic – there is good news. While Sky One may no longer be available, Sky is bringing two new channels to your set-top box to replace them.
Sky Showcase will take the same place that Sky One took in your EPG. This brand new channel features a selection of some of the most talked about shows from across Sky’s portfolio of existing channels, from Sky Comedy to Sky Documentaries.
For those familiar with the current Sky Sports franchise, Showcase will operate similarly to the Sky Main Event. The latter is a linear channel that showcases some of the most anticipated and discussed games from the rest of the Sky Sports portfolio. Sky Main Event does not have its own exclusive shows, which it will have in common with Sky Showcase.
Sky hopes that Sky Showcase will become a starting point for those looking for something new. When you don’t feel like browsing the catalog of on-demand box sets or browsing hundreds of channels – when you tune in Sky Showcase you will automatically see the biggest new title of the remaining Sky channels.
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There is one exception, of course. While Sky Showcase selects and mixes the remaining channels on the satellite station, you will not find any exclusive Sky Atlantic shows on the channel. Sky Atlantic is home to the greatest US dramas including Mare Of Easttown, Succession, Little Big Lies, I Hate Suzie, Chernobyl, WestWorld, and Game Of Thrones, to name a few.
Sky Atlantic is only available on Sky Q, Sky + HD or NOW. While those from Virgin Media can access any other channel in the Sky portfolio, Sky Atlantic remains exclusive to the set-top boxes built by Sky. Since Sky Showcase will appear on Virgin Media TV 360, broadcasting shows from Sky Atlantic to the channel would be a back door for those titles to appear on that television hardware.
Next, Sky will launch a brand new channel called Sky Max.
Sky Max’s launch schedule will include some of the biggest new shows for Sky, including the long-awaited revival of the comedy panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks, as well as The Russell Howard Hour and DC Superheroes.
Meanwhile, Sky Comedy is expanding to include Sky Original Comedy with shows such as Code 404 and Hitmen Reloaded, as well as a selection of critically acclaimed US comedies such as The Office US, PEN15 and Miracle Workers.
All of these changes will arrive on September 1, 2021. The new channels are available to Sky customers at no extra charge, they will also come to viewers via the NOW streaming service, as well as set-top boxes from Virgin and BT for free.
Managing Director of Content for Sky UK & ROI, Zai Bennett, commented on the recent reorganization: “In this golden age of television, the sheer volume of incredible programming can be overwhelming. Over the past 12 months we’ve made it easier for people to find what they want to see.
“Starting in September, those seeking the best of Sky will find it at the top of their program guide on Sky Showcase, while Sky Max becomes the new home of blockbuster entertainment joining the genre-oriented channels launched last year – It doesn’t matter whether you’re in the mood for true crime, a documentary, or just laughing, there’s always a channel to match. And if you’re not sure what to see, Sky Showcase has the best of our line-up curated by all of Sky so you can find something new. ”
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