Sky – All About Digital TV

More Music Channels Added to Sky Stream

Sky Glass and Sky Stream customers have gained additional music channels, further reducing the deficit of channels comapred to Sky’s satellite based offering. Viewers of the internet delivered platform now have access to five channels operated by Universal Music UK.

Ayozat TV Stops Sky Broadcasts

Ayozat TV, which only recently moved to a high up channel number, has been abrubtly removed from the Sky satellite platfom. The channel remains available online, with plans announced to switch to “Freeview Digital” (directly quoted from official announcment).

Sky Commits to Satellite Until 2029

Sky, who operate the satellite based Sky Q and internet based Sky Glass/Stream, has committed to offering services via satellite until 2029.

Tiny Pop to Return to the Airwaves

Children’s channel Tiny Pop is to return to traditional broadcasts this month, after converting to streaming only back in March. Sister channel Great Real, which took over bandwith used to transmit Tiny Pop, is closing down after an existence of less than 6 months.

Box Plus Network Closes Down

Satellite and cable channels The Box, 4Music, Kerrang, Kiss and Magic, all closed down at midnight on 1st July (2024), bring in an end to what had been known as The Box Plus Network. Channel 4 have axed the channels in the first move away from linear broadcasts.

Rewind TV Launches

Rewind TV, and independently operated TV channel dedicated to showing classic British TV shows, launched on 23rd May (2024). The channel is available free-to-air on satellite.

Standard Definition Migration on Satellite

The pace of conversion to high definition (HD) broadcasts is becoming quicker, with many changes upcoming that will largely render older standard definition Sky and Freesat boxes redundant.

Sky to Revamp Pick

Pick, a free-to-air channel operated by Sky but without Sky branding (similar to sister channel Challenge), is to be rebranded to Sky Mix. Existing programming will be maintained, however additional content from across Sky’s portfolio will be added.

HD Upgrade for BBC Alba

BBC Alba, operated jointly by the BBC and MG Alba, is now available on satellite in HD for the first time.

GB News Introduces Subtitles

New based opinion channel GB News has introduced subtitles for the first time.

Implemented around a month ago (but missed by the author until now), the system is based around automatic speech recognition alongside human intervention, to provide live subtitling with a claim accuracy of 98.5%.

The channel’s license from regulatory Ofcom does not yet mandate subtitles or other accessibility features, but the channel has brought these in voluntarily. A statement from CEO Angelos Frangopoulos states, “While we always planned subtitles, we brought them forward when viewers contacted us in their hundreds to request better accessibility to GB News.” (Source: Media Mole, January 2023, unverified).

GB News is available on most major TV platforms, including via satellite (Sky and Freesat), cable (Virgin Media), and terrestrial (Freeview – limited coverage). An additional audio only feed is available on DAB+ digital radio in most areas.