BRIT telly fans can expect some big changes coming to screens this year.
And the shake-up is only weeks away.
2025 saw a number of major switch ups on the TV front, with channels closing – and some old favourites returning.
Among the big name closures was MTV’s four music channels in the UK.
And ITV axed ITVBe, replacing it with an ITV Quiz channel instead.
We also saw the return of Disney Junior on Sky, five years after it was shut down.
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2026 is already shaping up to have some big TV changes.
The first will see a much-loved premium channel go free-to-air.
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TLC has been paid-for on Sky and Virgin Media since launching in the UK in 2013.
But this month, the channel will be available to watch for free on Freeview too.
As part of the move, popular comedy panel show Mock The Week is returning.
However, TLC will take the spot filled by HGTV, meaning the channel will close as a result.
The other big shake-up for telly fans in 2026 is the arrival of a major new streaming service, HBO Max.
The broadcaster behind Game of Thrones and The Last Of Us has already launched its streaming app in a number of countries globally except the UK.
Its existing exclusive deal with Sky has held up HBO Max’s roll out but with that arrangement coming to an end it can finally launch here.
While Sky Atlantic will retain existing HBO shows that have already started, others won’t be exclusive to Sky any longer.
So, non Sky customers can subscribe to HBO Max for the broadcaster’s latest shows.
HBO Max is expected to arrive around March.
MORE CHANNEL CLOSURES TO COME?
Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun
It’s almost certain we’ll see more channel changes to come in 2026.
Surely the +1 channels will start to disappear.
In the age of streaming, catching up an hour later seems extremely redundant.
There will probably be some standard definition (SD) channels scraped to make way for HD only too.
I wouldn’t be surprised if there are some changes to Sky’s own channels as well with the launch of HBO Max in the UK.
Image credit: Getty
