In a significant increase in its commitment to the arts, Sky today announced that it was doubling its output of arts content by creating bespoke Sky Arts channels reflecting contemporary and classical programming to run alongside its dedicated HD Channel.
From Monday 20th October Sky Arts 1, Sky Arts 2 and Sky Arts HD will broadcast 36 hours of arts programming a day with the autumn season boasting forthcoming shows from diverse contributors such as Mariella Frostrup, Tim Marlow, Selina Scott, Brian Sewell, Vanessa Mae and Suggs; with subjects ranging from Francis Bacon and Edward Seago to Iggy Pop and Moby plus HD Metropolitan Operas and a nightly, seminal concert from legendary performers from Johnny Cash to The Who.
Sophie Turner Laing, MD Entertainment comments: “Arts is integral to the Sky platform and we now have the wealth and breadth of diverse arts content to warrant 2 dedicated arts channels. At a time when other broadcasters’ commitment to the arts is open to question, we firmly believe in giving our customers the best choice, all delivered in the highest possibly quality, HD. This is further evidence of our commitment to invest in the content that people love and demonstrates how pay-TV can meet viewers’ individual needs.”
The channels will be reorganised as follows:
Sky Arts 1 will broadcast more contemporary and cult programming, such as live rock concerts, documentaries and the celebrity ‘hijack’ series.
Sky Arts 2 will be the home of Sky Arts’ more classical art content, such as opera, classical music, fine art programming and dance performances.
Sky Arts HD will broadcast content from both Sky Arts 1 and Sky Arts 2, delivering spectacular clarity on the channel’s visual arts and live performance genres.
These changes mean that Sky Arts will be investing in more content, including more exclusive commissions and sought-after acquisitions.
In October Sky Arts 1 will broadcast the following commissions:
- Suggs’ Italian Job – the Madness frontman takes the viewer on a cultural tour of Italy in this eight part exclusive HD series. Premieres Tuesday 21 October, 7pm. (*new)
- Art Rocks – Sky Arts uncovers the hidden artistic talents of Iggy Pop, Moby, George Clinton, Graham Nash and Dave Stewart in this brand-new HD series which begins on Saturday 25 October at 8.30pm (*new)
- The Book Show - Mariella Frostrup’s essential round up of the literary world returns on Thursday 23 October at 7pm for its third HD series.
- Tim Marlow on Francis Bacon – Popular art historian / broadcaster Tim Marlow provides an exclusive and inviting tour of the Tate Britain’s anticipated Francis Bacon exhibition from 7.30pm on Monday 20 October. (*new)
Sky Arts 1 will also introduce a number of regular appointment-to-view strands to help the viewer navigate their way to their preferred genre.
- Sky Arts’ live music strand ‘Centre Stage’ will be stripped at 9pm each Monday to Saturday night, featuring seminal concerts from Queen, Johnny Cash, The Who and Eric Clapton within the first month.
- Sky Arts ‘Backstory’ documentary strand will be stripped Monday to Friday at 11pm. Highlights within the first week include Matthew Barney – No Restraint and Soundtrack to War.
- Monday to Saturday nights at 8pm will be the home of Sky Arts’ ‘Icons’ – interviews with and documentaries about Sky Arts’ cultural icons. This can be anything from Robert Redford on Inside the Actor’s Studio, Clive James Talking in the library with Stephen Fry to the Phil Collins exclusive Songbook interview.
- The enormously popular celebrity ‘hijack’ series moves to Sunday nights with film director Anton Corbijn running riot over our schedules in the first ‘Sunday Night Hijack’ from 8pm on 26th October.
Meanwhile more traditional arts enthusiasts can find performance heaven on Sky Arts 2 which promises to deliver a classical music, dance or opera performance at 8pm each night. October highlights include:
- A brand new series of spectacular HD Metropolitan Operas will be broadcast from Monday 20 October during peak time. Performances include Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Tristan & Isolde, La Fille du Regiment, Peter Grimes, La Boheme, Hansel & Gretel and Manon Lescaut. (*new)
- Vanessa-Mae’s Classical Top Ten is a season of classical music performances as chosen by Sky Arts viewers. Violinist Vanessa-Mae will be introducing each piece of music beforehand, providing her personal reflections and insights. The season begins on Tuesday 21 October at 8pm (*new)
- The Forgotten Painter – Edward Seago is a four-part HD series presented by Selina Scott on the life and work of the late British painter, Edward Seago. The series begins on Sunday 26 October 7.30pm. (*new)
- Brian Sewell’s acclaimed series The Naked Pilgrim will be stripped on Sky Arts 2 from Monday 20 October at 5.30pm. This popular series follows art critic Brian Sewell on the Catholic pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. (*new)
Notes to Editors:
- 1. BSkyB bought a 50% stake in Artsworld in 2003 and the remaining shares in June 2005, making the former subscription channel available in millions of homes for the first time as part of the Lifestyle and Culture mix.
- 2. In March 2007 Sky re-branded Artsworld to Sky Arts – the only channel in the UK dedicated to all types the arts.
- 3. In June 08 Sky Arts acquired the Sky EPG number 270 from Performance Channel Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eicom PLC.
- 4. From today, Monday August 18th 2008, there has been a shift of channel numbers on the EPG. Sky Arts can be found on 256, Sky Arts HD Is on 257 and Sky Arts +1 is on 259. These channel numbers are subject to change again in October.
- 5. In the interim period between 18 August 2008 and 20 October 2008, EPG channel [259] will appear as Sky Arts + 1, a time-shift channel.
(*new) = programming to Sky Arts