SKY is pulling one of its long-running channels after more than 22 years on-air, The Sun can reveal.
The channel has been known by several names since launching in 2002 initially as Sky One Mix.
Today, millions will know it as Sky Replay – a brand that was introduced in 2020.
The channel has been a favourite for catching up on shows that aired on Sky Max and Sky Witness.
This includes hits like A League Of Their Own, Four Weddings and SEAL Team.
But viewer numbers have dwindled in the streaming age, with people easily able to watch repeats on-demand and online.
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As such, customers have been assured they will still be able to access all the shows they’re used to seeing on Sky Replay via other means.
The move comes just days after The Sun also revealed that MTV is closing all five of its music channels in the UK except the flagship MTV channel which only airs reality TV shows.
Sky Replay was previously known as Sky Two from 2005 to 2020.
The channel will cease broadcasting on October 30.
Sky has warned that some channels may move position on the electronic programme guide following the closure of Sky Replay.
A major reshuffle has already been applied to Sky Q boxes today with the kid’s channels changing numbers.
It follows closures like CITV which have left gaps.
See the full list of new numbers on satellite below:
- Nick Jr. Too – was 613, now 612
- POP – was 614, now 613
- Tiny Pop – was 615, now 614
- Nickelodeon+1 – was 616, now 615
- POP+1 – was 618, now 617
- Tiny Pop+1 – was 619, now 618
- Nick Jr+1 – was 622, now 619
- BabyTV – was 626, now 623
- Nick Jr. HD – was 645, now 643
Will more channels close?
Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun
Channel closures have sadly become commonplace in the streaming age.
But the loss of Sky Replay shouldn’t come as much of a shock given that it was entirely geared towards showing repeats.
It’s largely been on life support for satellite viewers with really old Sky boxes unable to access streaming apps.
Catch-up and +1 channels have become pretty redundant when viewers can hit a couple of buttons on their remote to watch what they’ve missed on-demand instantly.
So, Sky customers need not worry about missing any shows as they’ll all continue to be available on their primary channels as well as on-demand and on the Sky Go app.
However, I wouldn’t be surprised if more go in the not so distant future.
