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(18-12-2022, 08:10 AM)bkman1990 Wrote: Sky are currently planning to cut the number of their own branded channels including the Sky Sports channels in the UK and Ireland in the near future.
https://rxtvinfo.com/2022/sky-squeeze-could-broadcaster-close-channels
If they're looking to close channels I imagine their Sky Cinema channels would be a more likely target. I'd assume that most of the films shown are also available via the Sky Store, as well via Now for non-Sky users.
Whilst maybe retaining a couple linear channels may still have its benefits for advertising I doubt having 11 is still needed.
Additionally, the likes of Paramount, WB and Disney now have their own streaming services. I imagine more of these films are premiering on their own services first, whereas traditionally they'd first appear on Sky Cinema/Movies, before then premiering on terrestrial TV.
Formerly 'Charlie Wells' of TV Forum.
(This post was last modified: 18-12-2022, 03:47 PM by
Keith.)
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(18-12-2022, 03:46 PM)Keith Wrote: (18-12-2022, 08:10 AM)bkman1990 Wrote: Sky are currently planning to cut the number of their own branded channels including the Sky Sports channels in the UK and Ireland in the near future.
https://rxtvinfo.com/2022/sky-squeeze-could-broadcaster-close-channels
If they're looking to close channels I imagine their Sky Cinema channels would be a more likely target. I'd assume that most of the films shown are also available via the Sky Store, as well via Now for non-Sky users.
Whilst maybe retaining a couple linear channels may still have its benefits for advertising I doubt having 11 is still needed.
Additionally, the likes of Paramount, WB and Disney now have their own streaming services. I imagine more of these films are premiering on their own services first, whereas traditionally they'd first appear on Sky Cinema/Movies, before then premiering on terrestrial TV.
Now also actively pushes you to watch movies on demand in comparison to the live streams of the Cinema channels.
Which channels will actively be closed? I can't see them touch the basic channel lineup - Sky has been aggressively expanding them since Comcast took over, and I'd imagine it would cost less compared to the Sky Sports channels. The Cinema channels though are becoming more redundant with each passing day.
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Perhaps this will be the final death knell for the rather forgotten E! and Movies 24. Otherwise I expect much of the closures will be SD channels and the aforementioned Sky Cinema channels which I'm surprised have lasted on the scale that they have for so long.
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Like others, I think it'll be the SD channels, including the +1s as on-demand has made them largely redundant, along with Sky Cinema's linear outlets and a consolidation of Sky Sports, reducing them to numbered channels with priority for EPL and EFL with the rest of the sports content being scheduled on other channels.
Another move Sky should make is to make Sky News HD FTA and adding it to Freesat and close the SD versions at 28e, leaving Sky News SD for Freeview only.
Those with SD only receivers should be offered the choice to upgrade to Q or Sky Stream.
(This post was last modified: 18-12-2022, 07:15 PM by
London Lite.)
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(18-12-2022, 07:13 PM)London Lite Wrote: Those with SD only receivers should be offered the choice to upgrade to Q or Sky Stream.
The article mentions that free upgrades to Sky+HD/Glass etc would be the case, as it has been for many years with Sky.
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(18-12-2022, 08:23 PM)Stuart Wrote: (18-12-2022, 07:13 PM)London Lite Wrote: Those with SD only receivers should be offered the choice to upgrade to Q or Sky Stream.
The article mentions that free upgrades to Sky+HD/Glass etc would be the case, as it has been for many years with Sky.
Well Sky+HD isn't a thing anymore (except if you have it already) so it will only be to Q, Glass or Stream you can upgrade to from the SD boxes.
(This post was last modified: 18-12-2022, 09:34 PM by
Neil Jones.)
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(18-12-2022, 07:13 PM)London Lite Wrote: Like others, I think it'll be the SD channels, including the +1s as on-demand has made them largely redundant, along with Sky Cinema's linear outlets and a consolidation of Sky Sports, reducing them to numbered channels with priority for EPL and EFL with the rest of the sports content being scheduled on other channels.
Another move Sky should make is to make Sky News HD FTA and adding it to Freesat and close the SD versions at 28e, leaving Sky News SD for Freeview only.
Those with SD only receivers should be offered the choice to upgrade to Q or Sky Stream.
I'm suprised it has taken Sky this long, to be honest. There were rumours about Sky closing their SD channels as far back as 2011!
I expect one or two linear Cinema channels will remain - perhaps Premiere and a pop-up channel. Or maybe they might bring back Screens 1 and 2 and ditch all the others.
Over the coming decade, I think linear TV in general will start to go back to a number of channels closer to what was available in the 90s.
(18-12-2022, 04:47 PM)Rex Wrote: I can't see them touch the basic channel lineup - Sky has been aggressively expanding them since Comcast took over, and I'd imagine it would cost less compared to the Sky Sports channels.
I actually think, IF they lose
The Simpsons, that Sky Showcase might ultimately be for the chop. It just seems like such a pointless channel otherwise. Like others, I expect E!, Movies 24 and maybe Challenge will likely also be shut down.
(This post was last modified: 20-12-2022, 07:59 PM by
Kojak.)
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(20-12-2022, 07:48 PM)Kojak Wrote: (18-12-2022, 04:47 PM)Rex Wrote: I can't see them touch the basic channel lineup - Sky has been aggressively expanding them since Comcast took over, and I'd imagine it would cost less compared to the Sky Sports channels.
I actually think, IF they lose The Simpsons, that Sky Showcase might ultimately be for the chop. It just seems like such a pointless channel otherwise. Like others, I expect E!, Movies 24 and maybe Challenge will likely also be shut down.
The Simpsons doesn't really rate on Sky Showcase. The channel serves its purpose well and is their second most watched subscription entertainment channel so is unlikely to be going anywhere.
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(20-12-2022, 07:48 PM)Kojak Wrote: London LiteLike others, I think it'll be the SD channels, including the +1s as on-demand has made them largely redundant, along with Sky Cinema's linear outlets and a consolidation of Sky Sports, reducing them to numbered channels with priority for EPL and EFL with the rest of the sports content being scheduled on other channels.
Another move Sky should make is to make Sky News HD FTA and adding it to Freesat and close the SD versions at 28e, leaving Sky News SD for Freeview only.
Those with SD only receivers should be offered the choice to upgrade to Q or Sky Stream.
I'm suprised it has taken Sky this long, to be honest. There were rumours about Sky closing their SD channels as far back as 2011!
I expect one or two linear Cinema channels will remain - perhaps Premiere and a pop-up channel. Or maybe they might bring back Screens 1 and 2 and ditch all the others.
Over the coming decade, I think linear TV in general will start to go back to a number of channels closer to what was available in the 90s.
RexI can't see them touch the basic channel lineup - Sky has been aggressively expanding them since Comcast took over, and I'd imagine it would cost less compared to the Sky Sports channels.
I actually think, IF they lose The Simpsons, that Sky Showcase might ultimately be for the chop. It just seems like such a pointless channel otherwise. Like others, I expect E!, Movies 24 and maybe Challenge will likely also be shut down.
Challenge is nowhere near being shut down, it performs decently in ratings when only Sky's FTA lineup is accounted for. Even manages to do better than Pick in recent months.
Sky Showcase shouldn't even be considered for closure, it performs its remit very well and clearly does well for Sky.
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(18-12-2022, 08:10 AM)bkman1990 Wrote: Sky are currently planning to cut the number of their own branded channels including the Sky Sports channels in the UK and Ireland in the near future.
https://rxtvinfo.com/2022/sky-squeeze-could-broadcaster-close-channels
Sky are also planning to sell off Sky Germany as well which includes the operation in Austria. Canal+ & One Internet are also included in the sale.
This article is entirely conjecture I'm surprised you are all talking about it as if it's confirmed Channels are closing.