Sky Arts#Previous life

In its early days, it was owned and managed by a public partnership (Artsworld Channels) including Sir Jeremy Isaacs. However, the channel suffered severe financial difficulty. In July 2002, it even staged its own farewell party, only to find emergency funding that very evening. In 2003, with a skeleton staff, it was facing closure. At this point, Sky stepped in, taking an initial 50% stake.{{cite web|last=Gibson |first=Owen |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2005/jun/20/broadcasting.uknews |title=Sky buys out arts channel |work=The Guardian |date=20 June 2005 |access-date=3 September 2013}}

Sky subsequently bought out the remaining shareholders (including Isaacs) and in June 2005 took full control, reducing the staff further, and dropping the channel's premium subscription fee shortly afterwards.{{cite news |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/article/ds21932.html |title=Artsworld to drop subscription charge |work=Digital Spy |date=20 June 2005 |first=Darren |last=Shelley}} 60 hours of classic music along with seven full-length operas were broadcast each month to help bring in potential new subscribers.

John Cassy, the channel manager of Artsworld, said: "It is great news for the arts that a dedicated cultural channel will be available to millions of households."

On 1 March 2007, Artsworld became Sky Arts and Artsworld HD became Sky Arts HD.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/feb/05/bskyb.broadcasting|title = Artsworld to rebrand at Sky Arts|website = TheGuardian.com|date = 5 February 2007}} This resulted in all of BSkyB's wholly owned channels carrying the Sky name (until Pick TV was launched and Virgin Media Television – which included Challenge – was acquired).

From 8 June 2007, Sky Arts introduced a series called Friday Night Hijack. Artists were invited to schedule a night of television that reflects their tastes, interests and passions. Guests included legendary punk DJ Don Letts, Don McCullin, Saffron Burrows, Anthony Horowitz, Malcolm McLaren, Phill Jupitus, Germaine Greer, George Melly and Reggie Perrin writer David Nobbs.{{citation needed|date=August 2010}}

Picks included a Franz Ferdinand documentary entitled Rock it to Rio, a concert performance by Damon Albarn's new band The Good, the Bad & the Queen as well as documentaries and films on Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol, Rachel Whiteread and Elvis Costello. This weekly feature was later moved and renamed Sunday Night Hijack.{{citation needed|date=August 2010}}

In 2013, Sky Arts launched Portrait Artist of the Year, a painting competition series presented by Frank Skinner and Joan Bakewell. The series is judged by art experts Tai-Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano and Kate Bryan. Nick Lord won the first series and was awarded a commission to paint Hilary Mantel for the British Library.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-26133634|title=Hilary Mantel's new portrait sets precedent - BBC News|work=BBC News|date=11 February 2014|language=en-GB|access-date=15 March 2016}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/10629638/Hilary-Mantel-portrait-a-living-first-for-the-British-Library.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/booknews/10629638/Hilary-Mantel-portrait-a-living-first-for-the-British-Library.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Hilary Mantel portrait a living first for the British Library|website=Telegraph.co.uk|date=10 February 2014 |access-date=15 March 2016}}{{cbignore}} In 2014 the second series was won by Christian Hook and his portrait of Alan Cumming is now part of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery collection.{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2014/dec/31/alan-cumming-scottish-national-portrait-gallery|title=Alan Cumming portrait unveiled at Scottish gallery|last=Ellis-Petersen|first=Hannah|date=30 December 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077|access-date=15 March 2016}} In 2015 Sky Arts introduced a development of the competition for landscape painters called Landscape Artist of the Year in association with National Trust.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/features/sky-arts-landscape-artist-of-the-year|title=Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year|website=National Trust|access-date=15 March 2016}} The first series was won by Nerine McIntyre and she was awarded a commission to paint the scene made famous by John Constable at Flatford.

On 9 June 2015, Sky Arts 2 closed and merged its content with Sky Arts 1 to form one channel.{{cite web|last=Finbow |first=Katy |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a644682/sky-is-closing-one-of-its-arts-channels-to-make-a-single-super-channel.html |title=Sky is closing one of its Arts channels to make a single "super channel" |publisher=Digital Spy |date=29 April 2015 |access-date=8 May 2015}}

On 17 September 2020, Sky Arts launched on Freeview and Freesat as a free service.{{cite web |title=With the BBC at bay, Sky embraces the possibilities of the arts on TV |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/jul/28/sky-arts-free-to-air-bbc-four |website=the Guardian |access-date=24 August 2020 |language=en |date=28 July 2020}}{{cite news |title=Sky Arts confirms Freeview launch |url=https://rxtvinfo.com/2020/sky-arts-confirms-freeview-launch |website=RXTV info |access-date=24 August 2020 |date=28 July 2020}}{{cite web |title=Press Pack: Sky Arts Available to Everyone from 17 September |url=https://www.skygroup.sky/en-gb/article/press-pack-sky-arts-available-to-everyone-from-17-september |website=www.skygroup.sky |publisher=Sky Group Newsroom |access-date=24 August 2020 |language=en-gb |date=24 August 2020}}{{cite web |title=Sky Arts goes free to air from September 2020 |url=https://britishtheatre.com/sky-arts-goes-free-to-air-from-september-2020/ |website=British Theatre |access-date=26 September 2020 |date=28 July 2020}}

Since becoming a free-to-air service, the channel has picked up a number of acclaimed music documentaries such as King Rocker - A Film About Robert Lloyd and the Nightingales,{{cite web |url=https://kingrockerfilm.com/ |title=Home |website=kingrockerfilm.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.stewartlee.co.uk/king_rocker/review-king-rocker-2020/|title = Review: King Rocker (2020) : Stewart Lee - 41st Best Standup Ever!}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sky.com/watch/title/programme/768bc931-29ea-44d7-9f32-634f5afa8a42/king-rocker|title=King Rocker}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/feb/05/amazon-prime-soulmates-best-tv-this-week|title=This week's home entertainment: From King Rocker to Deliver Us|website=TheGuardian.com|date=5 February 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/feb/06/tv-tonight-the-story-of-brummie-punk-robert-lloyd|title=TV tonight: The story of Brummie punk Robert Lloyd|website=TheGuardian.com|date=6 February 2021}} Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché{{Cite web|url=https://www.modernfilms.com/polystyrene|title=Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché}}{{Cite web|url=https://louderthanwar.com/poly-styrene-i-am-a-cliche-film-review/|title = Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché by Bell and SNG - film review|date = 9 March 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.gigwise.com/film/3396803/poly-styrene--i-am-a-clich--reckons-with-the-woman-behind-the-icon|title = Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché reckons with the woman behind the icon | Gigwise}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/mar/05/poly-styrene-i-am-a-cliche-review-x-ray-spex-singer-film|title = Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché review – riveting take on British punk heroine|website = TheGuardian.com|date = 5 March 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.barbican.org.uk/whats-on/2021/event/cinema-on-demand-poly-styrene-i-am-a-cliche-12a|title = Poly Styrene: I Am a Cliché (12A) | Barbican| date=5 March 2021 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sky.com/watch/title/programme/0ed016d9-5615-40ba-ac64-32ae8502ad8c|title=Poly Styrene - I Am a Cliche}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv-programme/e/nczvks/poly-styrene---i-am-a-cliche/|title=Poly Styrene - I Am a Cliche}} and Blitzed: The 80s Blitz Kids' Story,{{Cite web|url=https://www.sky.com/watch/title/programme/186a44fc-09a1-4c13-b040-ff8c318286e1|title=Blitzed: The 80s Blitz Kids' Story}} many of which were broadcast on Sky Arts a short while after premiering to the press.

As of 2024, series on Sky Arts{{Cite web |date=2024-04-09 |title=TV listings guide |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/tv-listings/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=What's on Sky Arts? |url=https://tv24.co.uk/channel/sky-arts |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=TV24.co.uk |language=en}} include Classic Albums,{{Cite web |title=Classic Albums Season 1 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-ensqfb/classic-albums-season-1/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}} The Great Songwriters{{Cite web |title=The Great Songwriters, 3:50am on Sky Arts |url=https://tv24.co.uk/b/sah17c-j87 |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=TV24.co.uk |language=en}} and Guy Garvey: From the Vaults,{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-02-17 |title=From The Vaults Series 4 |url=https://www.guygarvey.com/2023/02/17/from-the-vaults-series-4/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Guy Garvey |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=The Great Songwriters Season 3 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-wpm94l/the-great-songwriters-season-3/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}} with the channel also having picked up repeats of Alfred Hitchcock Presents,{{Cite web |title=Alfred Hitchcock Presents Season 3 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-iejt6k/alfred-hitchcock-presents-season-3/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}} Tales of the Unexpected{{Cite web |title=Tales of the Unexpected Season 7 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-f0fz5l/tales-of-the-unexpected-season-7/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}} and The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross.{{Cite web |title=The Joy of Painting with Bob Ross, 2:30pm on Sky Arts |url=https://tv24.co.uk/b/sag060-j87 |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=TV24.co.uk |language=en}} for its daily schedule.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-09 |title=TV listings guide |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/tv-listings/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}} In addition, episodes of the Grand Ole Opry,{{Cite web |title=Grand Ole Opry (TV Series) |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-6oahau/grand-ole-opry/episodes/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}} the long-running American country music programme,{{cite news |last1=Bouma |first1=Luke|title=The OTA TV Network Circle Is Shutting Down & Will Be Replaced By Warner Bros. Discovery's New Network |url=https://cordcuttersnews.com/the-ota-tv-network-circle-is-shutting-down-will-be-replaced-by-warner-bros-discoverys-new-network/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=Cord Cutter News |date=November 10, 2023}} and albums documentary series Record On{{Cite web |last=Burns |first=Michael |date=2023-11-02 |title=Record On music series by White Light Film Productions set for Sky Arts |url=https://www.televisual.com/news/record-on-music-series-by-white-light-film-productions-set-for-sky-arts/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Televisual}}{{Cite web |date=2023-11-11 |title=White Light Film Productions' RECORD ON Premieres on SKY ARTS |url=https://www.white-light.tv/news/white-light-announces-the-return-of-isle-of-wight-festival-2021-yenpx |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=White Light International Media |language=en-US}} have turned up in the schedules on an ad hoc basis, with the Record On episode concerning The Specials, A Message to You,{{Cite web |title=Record On Season 1 |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-sfb927/record-on-season-1/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}} being scheduled as a one-off programme in a night of music shows,{{cite web | url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/tv-listings/?ts=1710882000000 | title=TV listings guide }} alongside documentaries about The Clash{{Cite web |title=Rebel Truce: The History of the Clash |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-3iucnj/rebel-truce-the-history-of-the-clash/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}} and X-Ray Spex.{{Cite web |title=Poly Styrene - I Am a Cliche |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/programme/b-xhiupt/poly-styrene-i-am-a-cliche/ |access-date=2024-04-19 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}

Sky Arts (formerly known as Artsworld and Sky Arts 1) focused on the more modern and independent side of Sky Arts' programming. Schedules included cutting-edge documentaries, cult films, and rock concerts.{{citation needed|date=August 2010}} but since 9 June 2015 it has also featured the high brow programmes from the former Sky Arts 2.

Sky Arts +1 began broadcasting on 18 August 2008, filling the Performance Channel's EPG slot (purchased by Sky) until the full launch of Sky Arts 2 on 20 October 2008.{{citation needed|date=August 2010}} This channel focused on high brow programme and featured classical music, opera, dance, fine arts programming and reruns of Tales of the Unexpected.{{citation needed|date=August 2010}}

From 30 March to 14 April 2013, Sky Arts 2 was temporarily rebranded as Sky Arts Rieu in honour of André Rieu, broadcasting back-to-back concerts by the violinist.{{cite web|url=http://skyarts.sky.com/andre-rieu-concerts/sky-arts-rieu-to-replace-sky-arts-2|title=Sky Arts 2 Celebrates Andre Rieu|publisher=Sky Arts|date=10 March 2013}}

On 9 June 2015, at 06:00 BST, Sky Arts 2 closed after showing its final classical music programme followed by promos for the new merged channel.

Artsworld HD was one of the launch channels on Sky HD in 2006.{{citation needed|date=August 2011}} It was a high-definition simulcast of Artsworld, and later Sky Arts, showing HD programmes when available, and upscaling standard-definition programmes.{{citation needed|date=August 2010}}

Following the launch of Sky Arts 2, Sky Arts HD showed a mix of programmes in high definition from both channels – generally Sky Arts 1 all day on Mondays, Thursdays and Sundays and Sky Arts 2 until 7{{nbsp}}pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, switching to Sky Arts 1 from 7{{nbsp}}pm onwards on those days.

On 2 March 2009, Sky Arts HD was split into two channels. Sky Arts 1 HD then broadcast from 7{{nbsp}}pm to 2{{nbsp}}am daily, and Sky Arts 2 HD from 8{{nbsp}}am to 7{{nbsp}}pm. The standard definition channels continued to broadcast a full schedule from 8{{nbsp}}am to 2{{nbsp}}am. Sky Arts 1 HD also broadcast a further hour of HD-only programming called 'Aquariavision' intended to be recorded by Sky+ HD owners.

As of June 2009, both Sky Arts 1 and 2 HD broadcast full-time between 6{{nbsp}}am and 2{{nbsp}}am.{{citation needed|date=August 2010}}

From 1 March 2010, all Sky Arts channels are broadcasting 24 hours a day.{{citation needed|date=August 2010}}

An on and off-air brand refresh for all four channels (Sky Arts 1, Sky Arts 1 HD (a simulcast), Sky Arts 2 and Sky Arts 2 HD (a simulcast)) was launched on 16 August 2010.{{citation needed|date=August 2010}}

On 9 June 2015, at 6{{nbsp}}am, Sky Arts 2 HD closed down.

As of September 2020, Sky Arts is currently made up of the following channels: Sky Arts and Sky Arts HD (a simulcast).

On 8 April 2021, Sky began broadcasting a version Sky Arts with adverts tailored to Ireland.{{cite web | url=https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/What-s-On/Changes-to-the-Sky-TV-guide-April-2021/td-p/3658531 | title=Changes to the Sky TV guide - April 2021 | date=April 2021}}{{cite web | url=https://www.skymedia.ie/channels/sky-arts/ | title=Sky Arts }} The channel is registered with the broadcasting regulator in Luxembourg{{Cite web | title=ALIA | url=https://www.alia.lu/assets/upload/files/2021-03-17Liste-des-services-de-television-maj-mars-2021_site-ALIA.pdf | access-date=2024-12-27 | website=www.alia.lu}} with the Autorité Luxembourgeoise Indépendante de l'Audiovisuel (ALIA) (Independent Luxembourg Audiovisual Authority) making use of the classification system set by Ireland's BAI Code of Program Standards.

File:Sky Arts 2020.png|Sky Arts (since 7 April 2020)

File:Sky Arts HD logo 2020.png|Sky Arts HD (since 7 April 2020)

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.sky.com/tv/channel/skyarts}}
• {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20090108131110/http://www2.tv-ark.org.uk/skytv/skyarts.html Sky Arts]}} TV Ark – Examples of Sky Arts presentation from 1990 and 2007

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Category:Sky television channels

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Category:Television channels in the United Kingdom

Category:Television channels and stations established in 1990

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