Sky is implementing a significant overhaul of its channel lineup, with two major channels set to disappear and a third becoming free for the first time. The changes, effective immediately, highlight the ongoing transformation of the UK's television landscape as broadcasters adapt to the dominance of streaming services.
Channels Axed and Rebranded
The lifestyle channel HGTV (Home and Garden TV) is being removed from Sky's platform. Its time-shift service, HGTV+1, has also been axed. The channel, which was promoted as a source of home improvement inspiration, was previously available on Satellite UK 158, ROI 162, and on Sky Glass & Stream UK 153 & ROI 149.
In a separate move, the reality channel TLC HD and its +1 service have been re-launched as free-to-air. This means viewers can now watch TLC content without needing a Sky Entertainment subscription.
This follows a series of earlier rebrands and closures. Earlier this month, Sky Harry Potter and Sky Jurassic Park were replaced by Sky Family HD and Action HD respectively, while Sky Exclusives was renamed Sky Sci-Fi. Furthermore, MTV Music, Club MTV, MTV 90s, MTV 80s, Pop and Tiny Pop were permanently closed at the start of the year.
The Wider Industry Shift to Streaming
These changes are not isolated. They occur against a backdrop of widespread cuts across the broadcasting industry, driven by falling traditional TV viewership. Ofcom recorded the biggest drop in viewership numbers since records began in 2023. Weekly TV viewing in the UK fell from 83% in 2021 to 79% in 2022, with daily watch time also declining.
The closure of multiple MTV channels is a stark symbol of this shift. Paramount Global and Skydance Media reached an agreement at the end of 2024 to close MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and Live HD. Only the main MTV flagship channel remains, which now primarily airs reality TV shows instead of music videos.
A source described the MTV cuts as a "dark day for the music industry," noting the channel is now a "total shell of its former self" and a clear victim of the rise of streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The impact is global, with cuts also affecting MTV's operations in Asia, Latin America, and Australia.
What Happens Next?
Further adjustments are scheduled. From January 15, channels including Quest, Food Network, Discovery Turbo, and Discovery History will move to different positions in the Sky electronic programme guide.
The relentless pressure from streaming platforms continues to force traditional broadcasters to consolidate and rethink their strategies. As one insider stated regarding the MTV redundancies, "To say there has been a bloodbath of cuts would be an understatement." The evolution of Sky's channel lineup is a direct response to these changing viewer habits, signalling a continued move towards streamlined offerings and free-to-air access to retain audiences.
