Line #20 Creator/Sky


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/1280px_sky_group_logo_2020svg.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:[[{{Slogan}} Believe in better.]]]]
3
4	Sky is a subscription satellite TV/cable TV network; originally pan-European until 1989, but now available legally only in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It forms the cornerstone of Sky Television (a British satellite service now known as British Sky Broadcasting) and belonged (originally wholly, later in part) to UsefulNotes/RupertMurdoch. In 2018 Murdoch's company made a bid to reacquire the shares they'd sold off, only to be outbid by Comcast (owners of Creator/NBCUniversal), meaning Murdoch lost control of the company he largely created.
5
6	It originally launched with only four channels-- Sky Channel (renamed to Sky One by July of 1989), Sky News, Sky Movies, and Eurosport (a channel backed by the EBU to show all the sporting events they had no time to air), broadcasting on the free-to-air Astra satellite platform (though Sky Movies was scrambled after the first year). It beat the government-backed BSB (British Satellite Broadcasting) to air by over a year, and in turn a "[[DuelingWorks satellite war]]" was briefly waged between the two rivals. BSB had hoped people would wait for its promised high-quality originals and superior technical quality which included the infamous "squarial" receiving dish), but Sky's early launch proved people would be just fine with Sky's populist programming. BSB and Sky wound up heavily bleeding cash and therefore merged to survive in November 1990-- this resulted in the rename to [=BSkyB=]. The healthier advertising contracts, as well as the rights to films and sport, held by BSB were picked up by Sky, which then expanded its network to five channels (BSB's Movie Channel-- redesigned to fit Sky's slick CGI aesthetic-- and Sky Sports, previously BSB's Sports Channel, were the survivors {Sky sold their stake in Eurosport as a result}; BSB's Galaxy and Now channels [[CompositeCharacter were merged into Sky One and Sky News]]; BSB's music/youth channel, The Power Station, was shuttered in favor of Creator/{{MTV}} Europe, and was replaced by Sky Movies for ex-BSB customers). Sky kept broadcasting over BSB's Marcopolo satellites for a little bit before abandoning the platform in favor of Astra (due to the Marcopolo system's government regulation and lack of channel expansion).
7
8	1993 saw the launch of "Sky Multichannels", which meant that all Sky channels, and not just the sports and film channels, as well as certain channels operated by outside companies, were scrambled and customers would pay subscription fees (this was to [[DigitalPiracyIsEvil ensure only UK viewers received these programs]]). Over the next few years, Sky opened more channels for movies and sports, as well as various other channels and services as Astra launched more satellites. Sky Digital was launched in 1998, offering viewers interactive services and a boatload of new channels; the analogue service was shuttered by 2001. Since then, the service has grown by leaps and bounds, offering [=DVR=]s, HDTV and even internet and telephony services to customers. In 2016, they launched their "Sky Q" [=DVR=]s, which integrates Creator/{{Netflix}} and other streaming services into the guide and menu system, offers 4K resolution, a new touch remote, and boxes that double as Wi-Fi hotspots. Their most recent innovation is currently the Sky Glass, a TV that streams television channels to said TV over Wi-Fi without the need for a satellite.
9
10	They also operate a cord-cutting service known as NOW (formerly NOW TV), which can be used by non-Sky customers and offers different packs of channels, including timed passes where customers can buy channels for a limited time (ie. if there's a big event on Sky Sports so they buy it for 24 hours). Rebadged Roku devices are offered as part of the service, though you can use your own device if you want to.
11
12	Essentially Creator/{{Fox}}'s UK counterpart; during the early years they shared much of the same programming and ''The Simpsons'' is still a part of Sky's lineup, while Sky News and Fox News frequently team up to cover global news, though with the split of Sky from Murdoch's other assets their relationship with Fox is slowly coming to an end, as Comcast had planned to launch a global news network in 2020 that combines the resources of Sky News and Creator/{{NBC}} News, but never came to fruition.
13
14	The network includes the channels:
15	* Sky Showcase (the flagship channel showing a selection of programmes from across Sky's portfolio of channels including Sky Witness, Sky Documentaries, Sky Crime, Sky Nature, Sky Arts, Sky Max, Sky Comedy, [[Creator/TheHistoryChannel Sky History]], Sky Kids, Creator/{{Syfy}} and Creator/{{E}} - as well as selected highlights from Sky Cinema and Sky Sports)
16	* Sky Witness (formerly just Living, and Sky Living; airs ABC and CBS content, with a new focus on crime shows)
17	* Sky Atlantic (which airs HBO/Showtime/etc content, as well as British originals [[NetworkDecay for some reason]])
18	* Sky Max (which airs entertainment and drama output previously shown on Sky One)
19	* Sky Comedy (Shows US comedy shows both new e.g. ''Series/MiracleWorkers'' and old e.g. ''Series/ParksAndRecreation''. Most comedy acquired from HBO or Showtime moved here from Sky Atlantic. Replaced Universal TV on January 27, 2020). From 1 September 2021, the comedy output on Sky One transferred to here.
20	* Sky Documentaries (shows human interest documentaries, mostly from Sky Arts)
21	* Sky Crime (A true crime channel. Replaced Real Lives, itself a rebranding of (Sky) [=LivingIt=], which was [=Living2=] before that)
22	* Sky History (formerly History and The History Channel. The co-branded (since 2020) UK version of Creator/TheHistoryChannel. Also has a secondary channel, Sky [=History2=], formerly History 2, H2 and Military History)
23	* Sky Nature (dedicated to nature documentaries)
24	* Sky Arts (and from 2008-2015, Sky Arts 2) (airing shows about contemporary and classical art[[note]]this wasn't the first Sky Arts; there was a channel planned by that name when Sky launched in 1989, but it never made it to air; after the BSB merger, the name was used for a weekend opt-out of Sky News on the BSB Marcopolo satellites that showed the arts programming BSB had contracted to air on their news/current affairs/lifestyle channel Now; when all of those programs were broadcast, it reverted to Sky News only. The current Sky Arts was previous the independent Artsworld and was purchased by Sky in 2007[[/note]]. From 2020 onwards, it became one of their three free-to-air entertainment networks)
25	* Sky Replay (formerly Sky Two, basically a catch-up service for Sky One and Sky Witness (after the relaunch as Sky Replay), showing the same shows at different times)
26	* Sky Mix (formerly Sky Three, later Pick TV and Pick; the second of the network's four free-to-air stations, effectively an advert for a full Sky TV package)
27	* Challenge (the third free-to-air station, acquired from Living TV Group (formerly Virgin Media Television). Dedicated to game shows, basically a TransatlanticEquivalent of Creator/GameShowNetwork)
28	* Sky News (the network's fourth free-to-air station, and pretty much (formerly) Murdoch's only TV news network that's impartial; started out looking cheap and cheerful, but is now considered an important part of Britain's TV news media)
29	* Sky Sci-Fi (reborn from the ashes of Creator/{{Syfy}} UK on July 26, 2022, shows various SpeculativeFiction series and movies)
30	* Sky Kids (shows children's TV shows)
31	* Also contains two multipack networks:
32	** Sky Cinema (formerly Sky Movies, split into channels based on specific genres, as well as the occasional temporary channel dedicated to a specific franchise like ''Film/JamesBond'' and ''Franchise/StarWars''. Airs films uncut and ad-free, and requires the user to enter a customisable PIN, done so it can get around {{Watershed}} restrictions)
33	** Sky Sports (contains Sky Sports News and channels dedicated to specific sports. Sky Sports News was on Freeview until 2010)
34
35	Most of Sky's channels are also carried by cable operators like Virgin. Pick, Challenge, Sky Arts and Sky News can also be seen on broadcast (Freeview). The exception is Sky Atlantic, launched as a Sky-exclusive showcase channel, though rumors have swirled about other services carrying it[[note]]although from 2020 onwards, it has been available on BT [=YouView=] following a trade deal with Sky to allow their NOW service on BT[[/note]].
36
37	Other Sky-branded TV services are available in Italy and Germany; a similar service is available via both cable and satellite in Australia called Foxtel (up until the 2013 split of Murdoch's entertainment and print assets, they also owned NDS, the people who made the encryption software; hence the services also share similar equipment and on-screen guides). Murdoch also tried a few times to enter the US market; both attempts failed.[[note]] His first attempt was in 1990, with his planned ''Sky Cable'' operation alongside Hughes Electronics, Cablevision Systems and Creator/{{NBC}}. [[TechnologyMarchesOn The plan called for a 108-channel service with HDTV capabilities and 12-to-18 inch satellite dishes to be launched by 1993.]] [[ExecutiveMeddling However, due to NBC and Fox both fearing upset affiliates if they were to provide their feeds, cable providers not wanting the operation to carry cable networks, and News Corp's financial drain related to [=BSkyB=] and Murdoch's acquisition of TV Guide]], the project was abandoned by early 1991. (Hughes would later launch their own service, [=DirecTV=] in 1994 (since acquired by AT&T); News Corp. from 2003 to 2006 held a 38% stake of [=DirecTV=], several of [=DirecTV=]'s foreign operations use Sky branding, and [=DirecTV=] also owns some former Fox Sports Networks stations under the branding of Root Sports.) 1996 saw the planned ''American Sky Broadcasting'' or ''[=ASkyB=]'', a joint venture between News Corp. and MCI Communications. At one point, a merger between [=EchoStar=]- owners of Dish Network- and [=ASkyB=] was near completion (with plans calling [[WhatCouldHaveBeen for Dish Network to be rebranded as Sky]]), but the merger fell apart for various reasons, including [[HauledBeforeASenateSubcommittee Congressional opposition to [=ASkyB=]'s planned carriage of local TV stations]] and [=EchoStar=]'s founder Charlie Ergen repeatedly clashing with News Corp. executives. The satellites were sold to [=PrimeStar=] (which had briefly planned to merge with [=ASkyB=], but did not [[RightHandVersusLeftHand due to the cable operators who owned Primestar unable to come to an agreement]]), who [[ShaggyDogStory planned to use the satellites but went out of business shortly after]] (the assets went to [=DirecTV=]). Meanwhile, the 110-degree orbital slot and the uplink facility in Gilbert, AZ were sold to [=EchoStar=], who would use the orbital slot to launch their new ''Dish 500'' service.[[/note]]
38
39	Not to be confused with ''Sky One'', which is the name of a submarine-launched fighter aircraft in Creator/GerryAnderson's ''Series/UFO1970''.
40
41	!!Series produced by Sky:
42	[[index]]
43	* ''Series/TheFortyFourHundred'' [[note]]InternationalCoproduction with CBS[[/note]]
44	* ''Series/BaddielsSyndrome''
45	* ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica\|2003}}'' [[note]]Co-financed the first season. It even got to [[ShortRunInPeru show most seasons before it aired in North America]].[[/note]]
46	* ''Series/{{Das Boot\|2018}}''
47	* ''Series/BrainiacScienceAbuse''
48	* ''Series/{{Breeders}}''
49	* ''Series/{{Britannia}}'' [[note]]Coproduced with Amazon Prime[[/note]]
50	* ''Series/TheBritish''
51	* ''Series/TheCafe''
52	* ''Series/{{Chernobyl}}'' [[note]]InternationalCoproduction with Creator/{{HBO}}[[/note]]
53
54	* ''Series/{{Curfew}}''
55	* ''Series/ADiscoveryOfWitches''
56	* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' made for TV movies:
57	** ''Film/{{Hogfather}}''
58	** ''Film/TheColourOfMagic''
59	** ''Film/GoingPostal''
60	* ''Series/TheDJKatShow''
61	* ''Series/DreamTeam''
62	* ''Series/{{Frayed}}''
63	* ''Series/{{Guerrilla}}''
64	* ''{{Series/Hex}}''
65	* ''Series/HitAndMiss''
66	* ''Series/Hitmen2020''
67	* ''{{Series/Hunderby}}''
68	* ''Series/AnIdiotAbroad''
69	* ''Series/IHateSuzie''
70	* ''Series/{{Intergalactic}}''
71	* ''Series/{{Landscapers}}''
72	* ''Series/TheLazarusProject''
73	* ''Series/ALeagueOfTheirOwn2010''
74	* ''Series/MadDogs''
75	* ''Series/MaryAndGeorge''
76	* ''Series/TheMidwichCuckoos''
77	* ''Series/MileHigh''
78	* ''Series/MooneBoy''
79	* ''{{Series/Parents}}''
80	* ''Series/PennyDreadful''
81	* ''Series/RoadWars''
82	* ''Series/Sally4Ever'' (co-produced with Creator/{{HBO}})
83	* ''Series/Spy2011''
84	* ''Series/StanLeesLuckyMan''
85	* ''{{Series/Starlings}}''
86	* ''Series/StellaUK''
87	* ''Series/TheStrangerers''
88	* ''Series/TheThirdDay''
89	* ''Series/TimeGentlemenPlease''
90	* ''{{Series/Trollied}}''
91	* ''Series/UKBorderForce''
92	* ''{{Series/Yonderland}}''
93	* ''[[Series/YouMeAndTheApocalypse You, Me And The Apocalypse]]''
94	* ''Series/AYoungDoctorsNotebook''
95	* ''Series/TheYoungPope''
96	* ''Series/TheNewPope''
97	[[/index]]
98
99	!!As well as various US imports, either first-run or bought from other networks:
100	[[index]]
101	* ''Series/TwentyFour''
102	* ''Series/{{Angel}}''
103	* ''Franchise/{{Arrowverse}}''
104	** ''Series/{{Arrow}}''
105	** ''Series/TheFlash2014''
106	** ''Series/{{Supergirl\|2015}}''
107	** ''Series/LegendsOfTomorrow''
108	* ''Series/TheBlacklist''
109	* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer''
110	* ''Series/{{Chucky}}''
111	* ''Series/TheConners'' (while While O.G. ''Series/{{Roseanne}}'' was on Creator/Channel4, no UK broadcaster has acquired the revival)
112	* ''Series/DarkAngel''
113	* ''Series/DayOfTheDead''
114	* ''Series/{{Deadwood}}''
115	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Dilbert}}''
116	* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'' (eventually moved to BBC and later ITV)
117	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}''
118	* ''Series/TheLastOfUs2023''
119	* ''Series/LasVegas''
120	* ''Series/LieToMe''
121	* ''Series/{{Lost}}''
122	* ''Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle''
123	* ''Series/{{Manifest}}''
124	* ''Series/TheMiddle'' (moved to Comedy Central)
125	* ''Series/MiracleWorkers''
126	* ''Series/ModernFamily''
127	* ''Series/NipTuck''
128	* ''Series/RaisingHope''
129	* ''Series/Peacemaker2022''
130	* ''WesternAnimation/ThePJs''
131	* ''Series/RescueMe''
132	* ''Series/TheRookie''
133	* ''Series/SEALTeam''
134	* ''Series/StargateSG1''
135	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons''
136	* ''Series/SiliconValley''
137	* ''Series/StargateAtlantis''
138	* ''Series/SurrealEstate''
139	* ''Series/TheWestWing'' (seriously, Sky showed the first season before Creator/Channel4)
140	* ''Series/TheWhiteLotus''
141	* ''[[Wrestling/WWERaw WWE RAW]]'' and ''[[Wrestling/WWESmackdown SmackDown!]]'' (also shown on Challenge)
142	* ''Series/TheXFiles''
143	[[/index]]
144
145	!!There are also Sky Cinema Originals:
146	[[index]]
147	* ''WesternAnimation/TheAmazingMaurice''
148	* ''Film/Anon2018''
149	* ''[[Film/AChristmasNumberOne A Christmas No. 1]]''
150	* ''WesternAnimation/DragonRider''
151	* ''Film/ExtremelyWickedShockinglyEvilAndVile''
152	* ''Film/FinalScore''
153	* ''Film/FourKidsAndIt''
154	* ''Film/TheHurricaneHeist''
155	* ''Film/LastTrainToChristmas''
156	* ''WesternAnimation/MonsterFamily''
157	** ''WesternAnimation/MonsterFamily2''
158	* ''WesternAnimation/PawsOfFuryTheLegendOfHank''
159	* ''Film/PromisingYoungWoman''
160	* ''WesternAnimation/RiverdanceTheAnimatedAdventure''
161	* ''Film/TheSecretGarden2020''
162	* ''Film/Serenity2019''
163	* ''Film/Unhinged2020''
164	[[/index]]
165	This is Sky Tropes. Part of the British Sky Broadcasting network.
166	[[index]]
167	* ThePioneer: In 1989, People who already had a satilite were given a free 6 months of Sky.
168	[[/index]]
169	Sky has also become famous to fans of game shows ''Series/ThePriceIsRight'' and ''Series/SaleOfTheCentury'' for airing low-budget versions in 1989 that, despite being short-lived, nonetheless have their fans.
170

Context Creator / Sky