Broadcaster's shake-up should boost comedy channel

Sky One is to be scrapped after 32 years to make way for a new raft of channels.

The broadcaster’s overhaul means a boost for  Sky Comedy, with UK programmes including Stephen Graham and Daniel Mays’s sci-fi cop sitcom Code 404 and the forthcoming second  series of Mel & Sue’s Hitmen being added to the US staples such as The Office US, PEN15 and Miracle Workers.

Comedy entertainment shows including The Russell Howard Hour, A League of Their Own and the return of Never Mind The Buzzcocks, hosted by Greg Davies, will be on the new Sky Max channel and on demand service, described as ‘the new home for Sky’s blockbuster entertainment’.

And new flagship channel Sky Showcase  will curate a selection of the top shows from across the Sky network and will be linear only, with no on-demand offering. This will be on the channel where Sky One currently resides.

Sky Atlantic will remain the exclusive home of high-concept dramas as well as prestige HBO and Showtime imports.

The changes will come into effect from September 1.The second series of Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkin's assassins sitcom, now retitled Hitmen Reloaded. is expected to launch some time after that. 

Zai Bennett, Sky’s managing director of content, said: ’In this golden age of television, the sheer volume of incredible programming can be overwhelming.

‘Over the last 12 months, we’ve been making it easier for people to find what they want to watch. From September those looking for the very best of Sky will find it at the top of their programme guide on Sky Showcase, while Sky Max will become the new home of blockbuster entertainment, joining the host of genre-led channels launched in the past year.'

The channels will be available to Sky customers and to subscribers of Virgin, BT and streaming service Now.

Sky One was officially launched on July 31, 1989. It was previously called simply Sky Channel.

Published: 28 Jul 2021