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Sky Atlantic

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Ruth-2013~enwiki (talk | contribs) at 18:16, 8 February 2011 (removed channel one replacement references. This is a brand new channel from sky it did not replace anything. Channel one closed down.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Sky Atlantic
CountryUnited Kingdom
Programming
Language(s)English
Ownership
OwnerBritish Sky Broadcasting

Sky Atlantic is a television channel owned by British Sky Broadcasting, which launched on 1 February 2011 on Sky in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.[1][3][4] Sky Atlantic is available in both standard-definition and high-definition, the latter on Sky Atlantic HD.[5] Stuart Murphy extended his responsibilities to become Director of Programmes for Sky1, Sky2, Sky3 and Sky Atlantic.[3]

Programmes on the channel are also offered to Sky customers via on-demand channels including the Sky Anytime+ and Sky Player services. Both BT Vision and Virgin Media had held talks with BSkyB over the new channel but have been unable to agree a carriage deal,[6] in Virgin's case due to pricing.[7]

It was announced on 25 October 2010, that Sky Atlantic would launch on Sky channel 108, which was previously occupied by Sky3.[8] Sky Atlantic also utilises the HD swap bouquet system developed by Sky, which switches SD channels with HD channels for HD Pack subscribers, meaning Sky Atlantic HD is on channel 108 and the standard-definition version appears on channel 173.[9]

Programming

Sky Atlantic relies heavily on screenings of US television programmes, with forty percent of all programming coming from HBO.[10] Although the channel mainly screens dramas, there are blocks in the schedule dedicated to comedies, movies and a showcase of content from Sky Arts.[11][12] Sky have also committed to commission at least six UK programmes per year for the channel.[13]

The launch of Sky Atlantic followed the broadcaster's £150m,[14] five-year deal to snap up the exclusive UK and Irish TV rights to HBO's entire archive, new HBO programming and a first-look deal on all co-productions.[15] The deal does not cover programmes with pre-existing agreements with other broadcasters, such as the first-run rights to Eastbound & Down and True Blood on FX, until their licence expires.[16] Sky is also understood to have bid at least 25% more than the BBC to acquire Lionsgate Television's Mad Men.[17] On 5 January 2011, Sky secured Blue Bloods and The Borgias for Sky Atlantic in a deal with CBS Studios International.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b "Sky Atlantic: The Home Of World Class Television". British Sky Broadcasting. 23 December 2010.
  2. ^ "Sky Atlantic UK". British Sky Broadcasting. YouTube. 23 December 2010.
  3. ^ a b "Sky Atlantic HD is new home of HBO & Mad Men". British Sky Broadcasting. 1 October 2010.
  4. ^ "Sky Atlantic to launch today". RTE News. 2011-02-01. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
  5. ^ "Sky to launch Sky Atlantic channel". Digital Spy. 1 October 2010.
  6. ^ "Rivals miss out as Sky launches Atlantic channel". The Independent. 6 January 2011.
  7. ^ "Virgin Media to miss out on Sky Atlantic". Digital Spy. 4 February 2011.
  8. ^ "Sky confirms strengthened entertainment line-up". British Sky Broadcasting. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  9. ^ "Sky Atlantic to launch next month". Digital Spy. 5 January 2011.
  10. ^ "BSkyB bets on Sky Atlantic to boost subscriber numbers". The Guardian. 31 January 2011.
  11. ^ "Welcome to Sky Atlantic HD" (PDF). Sky Media. 16 November 2010.
  12. ^ "Programme Information Highlights; February Sky Atlantic" (PDF). Sky Programme Information. 21 December 2010.
  13. ^ "Sky announces Sky Atlantic as 'home of HBO' in UK". Screen. 5 January 2011.
  14. ^ "BSkyB to launch Sky Atlantic". guardian.co.uk. 1 October 2010.
  15. ^ "Sky agrees output deal to become the UK home of HBO". British Sky Broadcasting. 29 July 2010.
  16. ^ "FX UK 'still owns True Blood rights'". Digital Spy. 29 July 2010.
  17. ^ "BSkyB poised to snatch Mad Men from BBC". guardian.co.uk. 30 September 2010.
  18. ^ "Sky Atlantic HD to bring the very best in entertainment and drama exclusively to Sky customers from 1st February 2011". British Sky Broadcasting. 5 January 2011.
  19. ^ http://www.skymedia.co.uk/_downloads/823/Sky%20Atlantic%20HD-%20no%20logos%20%28W%29.pdf#page=30
  20. ^ http://www.skymedia.co.uk/_downloads/823/Sky%20Atlantic%20HD-%20no%20logos%20%28W%29.pdf#page=42

External links

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