David Farnor | On 28, Jul 2021

Sky One is shutting its doors, with Sky replacing the channel with two new brands: Sky Max and Sky Showcase.

The oldest non-terrestrial channel in the UK, Sky One has been home to a number of high-profile exclusives and originals over the years, from 24 and Battlestar Galactica to The Simpsons, Lost and Prison Break. In more recent years, though, as Sky has introduced more explicit themed branding, such as Sky Crime, Sky Documentaries, Sky Nature, Sky Arts and Sky Comedy, Sky One’s role has been slightly less clear, with the channel home to Sky’s homegrown comedy programming, but Sky Comedy remaining the home of its imported US comedy.

Now, Sky is shaking things up to make things simpler.

Sky Max will become the new home for Sky’s blockbuster entertainment, including dramas A Discovery of Witches and COBRA and non-fiction comedy entertainment including panel shows like A League of Their Own and the return of Never Mind The Buzzcocks. Sky Comedy, meanwhile, will become the home of Sky’s original comedy that used to be on Sky One, including Code 404.

The Sky Showcase channel will be an addition to the line-up, providing a window on to Sky’s programming. The linear-only channel will curate shows from across Sky’s portfolio of entertainment brands, with highlights also picked from Sky Cinema and Sky Sports.

Sky Showcase will replace Sky One at channel 106 on the electronic programme guide. At launch Sky Showcase will broadcast new Sky Original drama Wolfe, documentaries such as Hawking and The Bambers: Murder at the Farm, high profile original nature series such as Shark with Steve Backshall, as well as US series such as Young Rock and SWAT.

Sky Max will be at channel 113 on the electronic programme guide and will also be an on-demand channel. The launch schedule will include blockbuster entertainment such as the return of Never Mind the Buzzcocks, The Russell Howard Hour and DC Superheroes.

Sky Atlantic will remain the exclusive home of high-concept original dramas such as Landscapers, I Hate Suzie, Gangs of London and Chernobyl, as well as being the home of drama from HBO and Showtime.

MD of Content Sky UK & ROI, Zai Bennett, says: “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 – so whether you’re in the mood for true crime, a documentary or just a laugh there’s always a channel to suit. And if you’re not sure what to watch Sky Showcase will curate some of the highlights from our line-up so you can find something new to watch.”

Sky Max and Sky Showcase will both be available, like Sky One, at no extra charge to Sky customers. They will also be available on streaming service NOW and on Virgin and BT.

The changes will come into effect from 1st September.

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