SKY viewers will see a long-running channel taken off the air this week.
In its latest shake up, Sky has announced plans to axe a popular channel this week along with a bizarre “second shutdown” just days later.
International news channel WION HD will cease broadcasting this Friday, 31 October after several years on air, marking the latest Sky service to vanish from screens.
But in a strange twist, the channel’s slot on the Sky EPG (Electronic Programme Guide) will stay visible and completely blank until Monday, when it will finally be removed from listings altogether.
The unexpected two-step closure comes as part of a wider Sky reshuffle that’s also seeing a number of other changes to its satellite and streaming services.
That’s not the only change scheduled.
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Sky is shutting major TV channel in just DAYS – ending 22 years of broadcasting
Tomorrow, Thursday, October 30, Sky Replay, Sky Replay ROI and Sky Replay HD will permanently close, ending a 22-year run for the channel that began life as Sky One Mix in 2002.
It later became Sky Two in 2005 before rebranding as Sky Replay in 2020, offering fans another chance to watch hits from Sky Max and Sky Witness, including A League of Their Own, Four Weddings, and SEAL Team.
However, as viewers increasingly turn to on-demand platforms like Sky Go and NOW, traditional broadcast channels have seen audiences dwindle.
The decision was part of “ongoing efforts to simplify the line-up” as more viewers opt for streaming.
Other channel changes
The move comes just days after The Sun also revealed that MTV is closing all five of its music channels in the UK.
However, reality fans will be glad to learn the flagship MTV channel will still be available.
Meanwhile, Sky has warned customers that some channels may move position on the electronic programme guide following the axeing of the channel.
A major reshuffle has already been applied to Sky Q boxes today with the kids’ 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
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