Sky Atlantic
![]() Logo used since 1 October 2020 | |
Country | United Kingdom |
---|---|
Broadcast area |
|
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed.) |
Timeshift service | Sky Atlantic +1 |
Ownership | |
Owner | Sky Group (Comcast) |
Sister channels | List of Sky UK channels |
History | |
Launched | 1 February 2011 |
Replaced | Channel One Bravo |
Links | |
Website | www |
Availability | |
Streaming media | |
Sky Go | Watch live (UK and Ireland only) |
Now | Watch live (UK and Ireland only) |
![]() Logo used from 2017 to 2019 | |
Country | United Kingdom |
---|---|
Broadcast area |
|
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed.) |
Ownership | |
Owner | Sky Group (Comcast) |
History | |
Launched | 25 July 2017 |
Closed | 12 June 2019 |
Links | |
Website | skyatlantic.sky.com |
Sky Atlantic is a British pay television channel owned by Sky Group Limited broadcast in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The channel is primarily dedicated to imported programmes from the United States, and holds the domestic rights to HBO programming until 2025 (this doesn't cover Max original programming). It also broadcasts many original British produced Sky dramas. It is exclusively available on the Sky satellite TV platform (including Sky Go) and Sky's Now TV platform. Unlike the other channels from Sky Group, Sky Atlantic is not on Virgin Media.[1] On 15 January 2024, select programming begun being simulcast on Sky Showcase.[2]
Sky Deutschland broadcasts a German-language version of the channel in Germany and Austria, while Sky Italia broadcasts an Italian-language version of the channel in Italy. Their programming is also dominated by HBO and Showtime series, usually dubbed in the domestic language. The Italian channel also premieres Sky Originals produced in the country, like The Young Pope and Gomorrah.
Background
[edit]Sky Atlantic launched on 1 February 2011 on Sky in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[3][4][5] Separated channels with the same name operate in Germany, Austria and Italy.
Sky Atlantic is available in both standard definition and high definition, the latter on Sky Atlantic HD.[6] Stuart Murphy extended his responsibilities to become director of programmes for Sky One, Sky Two, Pick and Sky Atlantic.[4] On 5 May 2011, Elaine Pyke, the head of drama at Sky, was promoted to director of Sky Atlantic, reporting to Murphy.[7]
Programmes on the channel are also offered to Sky customers via on-demand channels including the On Demand and Sky Go services and Now TV. Both BT TV and Virgin Media had held talks with Sky over the new channel but have been unable to agree a carriage deal,[8] in Virgin's case due to pricing.[9]
It was announced on 25 October 2010 that Sky Atlantic would launch on Sky channel 108, which was previously occupied by Sky 3.[10] 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 808.[11]
Sky Atlantic +1
[edit]A one-hour timeshift of Sky Atlantic started broadcasting on 20 September 2012 on channel 173.[12] It moved to channel 170 on 9 June 2015 as part of a reshuffle which also included the closure of Sky 3D, Sky Livingit becoming Real Lives and Sky Arts 1 and Sky Arts 2 merging to become simply Sky Arts. It moved to channel 217 on 18 July 2017 as part of the Sky Sports reshuffle which included Sky Sports Mix moving to entertainment, and again to 208 on 1 May 2018 as part of Sky's major EPG reshuffle due to Sky Atlantic being channel 108.
Sky Atlantic VIP
[edit]Sky Atlantic VIP was a rewards channel for subscribers of Sky TV who had been with Sky for 2 or more years and for subscribers who had the Sky Original Bundle (later Sky Entertainment pack, then Sky Signature pack). The HD version also required the HD pack in the UK and the Sky Box Sets pack in Ireland.
The channel only broadcast brand new episodes of a popular show a week or so before being shown on the main Sky Atlantic channel. An example of this is when episodes of Riviera were shown first on Sky Atlantic VIP, then a week or so later on Sky Atlantic. Sky Atlantic VIP was under Sky VIP's "See-It-First" offer. Sky VIP is a rewards programme for long-term Sky subscribers.
When the channel was not broadcasting a brand new episode of a programme, the channel was off-air resulting in the channel being on-air only for a few hours per week. The channel only broadcast adverts for programmes on Sky channels. The SD version was on Sky channel 994 with the HD version on channel 995. The channel closed on 12 June 2019.
Current programming
[edit]Drama
[edit]Title | Genre | Premiere | Series | Length | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Save Me | Mystery drama | 28 February 2018 | 2 series, 12 episodes | 46–51 min. | Renewed for final series[13] | Retitled Save Me Too for the second series |
Co-productions
[edit]Title | Genre | Partner/Country | Premiere | Series | Length | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gangs of London | Action crime drama | AMC/United States[a] | 23 April 2020 | 2 series, 17 episodes | 53–93 min. | Renewed[14] | |
The Lovers | Romantic comedy | Sundance Now/United States | 7 September 2023 | 1 series, 6 episodes | 23–30 min. | Pending | |
Awaiting release | |||||||
The Day of the Jackal[15] | Thriller | Peacock/United States | 7 November 2024[16] | 1 series, 10 episodes | TBA | Pending |
Acquired programming
[edit]- Euphoria
- The Gilded Age
- House of the Dragon
- The Last of Us
- My Brilliant Friend
- True Detective
- The White Lotus
Upcoming programming
[edit]Comedy
[edit]Title | Genre | Premiere | Series | Length | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sweetpea[17][18] | Comedy | October 2024[19][20] | 1 series, 8 episodes | TBA | Post-production | |
The Death of Bunny Munro[21] | Comedy | TBA | 1 series, 6 episodes | TBA | Filming |
Co-productions
[edit]Title | Genre | Partner/Country | Premiere | Series | Length | Status | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lockerbie[22][23] | Drama | Peacock/United States | TBA | 1 series, 5 episodes | TBA | Filming |
Acquired programming
[edit]- Dune: Prophecy (Late 2024)[24]
- The Penguin (Late 2024)[25]
Former programming
[edit]Drama
[edit]Title | Genre | Original Broadcast | Series | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Hit & Miss | Crime drama | 2012 | 1 series, 6 episodes | |
The British | Docudrama | 2012 | 1 series, 7 episodes | |
Fortitude | Psychological thriller | 2015–18 | 3 series, 26 episodes | |
Riviera | Crime drama | 2017–20 | 3 series, 28 episodes | |
Tin Star | Crime drama | 2017–20 | 3 series, 25 episodes | |
Little Birds | Historical romance drama | 2020 | 1 series, 6 episodes | |
This England | Biographical drama | 2022 | 1 series, 6 episodes |
Comedy
[edit]Title | Genre | Original Broadcast | Series | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
This is Jinsy | Comedy | 2011–14 | 2 series, 17 episodes | Previously aired the pilot episode on BBC Three |
Walking and Talking | Teen comedy | 2012 | 1 series, 4 episodes | |
Hunderby | Historical black comedy | 2012–15 | 2 series, 10 episodes | |
Common Ground | Comedy | 2013 | 1 series, 10 episodes | |
Mr. Sloane | Historical comedy | 2014 | 1 series, 6 episodes | |
Doll & Em (series 2) | Comedy | 2015 | 1 series, 6 episodes | Previously aired on Sky Living for series 1. |
Camping | Comedy | 2016 | 1 series, 6 episodes | |
The Trip (series 3) | Sitcom | 2017 | 1 series, 6 episodes | Previously aired on BBC Two for series 1–2. Moved to Sky One for series 4. |
I Hate Suzie | Black comedy | 2020–22 | 2 series, 11 episodes | Retitled I Hate Suzie Too for the second series |
Dreamland | Comedy | 2023 | 1 series, 6 episodes |
Unscripted
[edit]Title | Genre | Original Broadcast | Series | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Thronecast | Talk show | 2011–19 | 8 series, 77 episodes | Aftershow for Game of Thrones |
The Devil's Dinner Party | Game show | 2011–12 | 1 series, 20 episodes | |
Cleverdicks | Game show | 2012 | 1 series, 30 episodes | |
Morgan Spurlock's New Britannia | Talk show | 2012 | 1 series, 10 episodes | |
God Save The Queens | Docuseries | 2012 | 1 series, 3 episodes | |
Mid Morning Matters with Alan Partridge | Radio show | 2012–16 | 2 series, 12 episodes | Edited version of the web series of the same name |
Adam Buxton's Bug | Stand-up | 2012 | 1 series, 8 episodes | |
Ronna and Beverly | Talk show | 2012 | 1 series, 6 episodes | |
Don't Sit In The Front Row | Stand-up | 2012–13 | 2 series, 16 episodes | |
Set List: Stand Up Without a Net | Stand-up | 2013–14 | 2 series, 14 episodes |
Co-productions
[edit]Title | Genre | Partner/Country | Original Broadcast | Series | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Falcón | Crime drama | Canal+/France ZDF/Germany | 2012 | 1 series, 4 episodes | |
The Tunnel | Crime drama | Canal+/France | 2013–17 | 3 series, 24 episodes | |
Penny Dreadful | Dark fantasy drama | Showtime/United States | 2014–16 | 3 series, 27 episodes | |
The Last Panthers | Crime drama | Canal+/France | 2015 | 1 series, 6 episodes | |
Guerrilla | Historical drama | Showtime/United States | 2017 | 1 series, 6 episodes | |
Britannia | Historical fantasy | Amazon Prime Video (series 1) Epix/United States (series 2–3) | 2018–21 | 3 series, 27 episodes | |
Patrick Melrose | Drama | Showtime/United States | 2018 | 1 series, 5 episodes | |
Sally4Ever | Comedy | HBO/United States | 2018 | 1 series, 7 episodes | |
Chernobyl | Historical drama | HBO/United States | 2019 | 1 series, 5 episodes | |
Catherine the Great | Historical drama | HBO/United States | 2019 | 1 series, 4 episodes | |
Upright (series 1) | Comedy drama | Fox Showcase/Australia | 2019 | 1 series, 8 episodes | Moved to Sky Comedy for series 2. |
The End | Drama | Fox Showcase/Australia | 2020 | 1 series, 10 episodes | |
The Third Day | Psychological thriller | HBO/United States | 2020 | 1 series, 6 episodes | |
Domina | Historical drama | Sky Atlantic/Italy MGM+/United States (series 2) | 2021–23 | 2 series, 16 episodes | |
Landscapers | True crime comedy drama | HBO/United States | 2021 | 1 series, 4 episodes | |
The Baby | Horror comedy | HBO/United States | 2022 | 1 series, 8 episodes | |
Mary & George | Historical drama | Starz/United States[b] | 2024 | 1 series, 7 episodes | |
The Tattooist of Auschwitz | Historical drama | Peacock/United States Stan/Australia | 2024 | 1 series, 6 episodes |
Acquired programming
[edit]Sky Atlantic relies heavily on screenings of US television programmes, with more than 50% of all programming coming from HBO.[26] Although the channel mainly screens dramas, blocks in the channel's schedule are dedicated to comedies and movies.[27][28] The launch of Sky Atlantic in 2011 followed the broadcaster's £150m,[29] five-year deal to buy exclusive UK and Irish TV rights to HBO's entire archive, new HBO programming and a first-look deal on all co-productions.[30] Although it has been renewed since, the exclusivity deal with HBO is currently set to expire by the end of 2025, allowing for the launch of Max in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy.[31][32]
In January 2016, Sky expanded the acquired programming on Atlantic after purchasing the exclusive rights to Showtime programming; however, Sky Atlantic does not broadcast all Showtime programmes, as some series would later air on Channel 4.[33] The exclusivity deal with Showtime expired in December 2021, with future series becoming exclusive to Paramount+.[34]
HBO programming
[edit]- Angels In America
- Ballers
- Band Of Brothers
- Banshee[c]
- Barry (seasons 1–3)[d]
- Big Little Lies
- Big Love
- Boardwalk Empire
- Bored to Death
- The Brink
- Camping
- Carnivàle
- The Comeback
- Crashing
- Curb Your Enthusiasm (seasons 1–10)[e]
- The Deuce
- Divorce
- Enlightened
- Entourage
- Funny or Die Presents
- Game of Thrones
- Girls
- Hello Ladies
- Here and Now
- High Maintenance
- How to Make It in America
- The Idol
- I Know This Much Is True
- Insecure (seasons 1–3)[f]
- In Treatment
- Irma Vep
- John Adams
- Julia[g]
- The Knick[c]
- Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (seasons 1–6)[h]
- The Leftovers
- Looking
- Lovecraft Country
- Luck
- Mare of Easttown
- Mildred Pierce
- Mosaic
- Mrs. Fletcher
- The Nevers
- The Newsroom
- The Night Of
- Olive Kitteridge
- The Outsider
- The Pacific
- Perry Mason
- The Plot Against America
- Quarry[c]
- Raised By Wolves[g]
- Real Time with Bill Maher (seasons 10–17)[i]
- The Regime
- Room 104 (season 1)[j]
- Scenes from a Marriage
- Sex and the City
- Sharp Objects
- Show Me a Hero
- Silicon Valley
- Six Feet Under
- The Sopranos
- The Staircase[g]
- Succession
- The Sympathizer
- Tell Me You Love Me
- The Time Traveler's Wife
- Togetherness
- Trackers[c]
- Treme
- True Blood
- The Undoing
- Veep
- Vice Principals
- Vinyl
- Watchmen
- We Own This City
- Westworld
- White House Plumbers
- Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty
- The Wire
Showtime programming
[edit]- The Affair
- American Rust (season 1)[k]
- Billions
- Black Monday (seasons 1–2)[l]
- City on a Hill (seasons 1–2)[m]
- The Comey Rule
- Dexter: New Blood
- Dice
- Escape at Dannemora
- The Good Lord Bird
- Happyish
- House of Lies
- I'm Dying Up Here
- Kidding
- The Loudest Voice
- The L Word: Generation Q (seasons 1–2)[m]
- Nurse Jackie
- Penny Dreadful: City of Angels
- Ray Donovan[n]
- SMILF
- Twin Peaks: The Return
- White Famous
- Yellowjackets (season 1)[o]
- Your Honor (season 1)[p]
Most watched programmes
[edit]The following is a list of the ten most watched programmes on Sky Atlantic (all of them being episodes of Game of Thrones), based on Live +7 data supplied by BARB up to 20 May 2019.[35] The number of viewers does not include repeats or Irish ratings. Additionally, all of these episodes were the most viewed programme of the week on non-terrestrial television in the UK. Game of Thrones is Sky's most popular show.[36]
Rank | Programme | Episode | Number of viewers | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Game of Thrones | 8.04 – The Last of the Starks | 5,430,451 | 6 May 2019 |
2 | 8.02 – A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms | 5,266,034 | 22 April 2019 | |
4 | 8.05 – The Bells | 5,039,355 | 13 May 2019 | |
3 | 8.06 – The Iron Throne | 5,011,277 | 20 May 2019 | |
5 | 8.03 – The Long Night | 4,983,910 | 29 April 2019 | |
6 | 8.01 – Winterfell | 4,380,834 | 15 April 2019 | |
7 | 7.07 – The Dragon and the Wolf | 3,535,000 | 28 August 2017 | |
8 | 7.01 – Dragonstone | 3,487,000 | 17 July 2017 | |
9 | 7.05 – Eastwatch | 3,420,000 | 14 August 2017 | |
10 | 7.03 – The Queen's Justice | 3,263,000 | 31 July 2017 |
Notes
[edit]- ^ The first series was initially co-produced with Cinemax but was later moved to AMC who became co-producers from the second series onwards.
- ^ The series was initially co-produced with AMC but was later moved to Starz.
- ^ a b c d Cinemax programming
- ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for season 4
- ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for seasons 11–12
- ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for seasons 4–5
- ^ a b c HBO Max / Max programming
- ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for season 7 onwards
- ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for season 18 onwards
- ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for seasons 2–4
- ^ Moved to Amazon Prime Video for season 2
- ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for season 3
- ^ a b Moved to Paramount+ for season 3
- ^ Moved to Paramount+ for Ray Donovan: The Movie
- ^ Moved to Paramount+ for season 2 onwards
- ^ Moved to Paramount+ for season 2
References
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- ^ "Sky Showcase guide to new shows in 2024".
- ^ "Sky Atlantic: The Home of World Class Television". British Sky Broadcasting. 23 December 2010. Archived from the original on 19 December 2010. Retrieved 25 December 2010.
- ^ a b "Sky Atlantic HD is new home of HBO & Mad Men". British Sky Broadcasting. 1 October 2010. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
- ^ "Sky Atlantic to launch today". RTÉ News. 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
- ^ "Sky to launch Sky Atlantic channel". Digital Spy. 1 October 2010. Archived from the original on 2 October 2010. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
- ^ Sweney, Mark (5 May 2011). "BSkyB promotes Elaine Pyke to Sky Atlantic director". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 12 March 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ "Rivals miss out as Sky launches Atlantic channel". The Independent. London. 6 January 2011. Archived from the original on 22 June 2018. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
- ^ "Virgin Media to miss out on Sky Atlantic". Digital Spy. 4 February 2011. Archived from the original on 5 February 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2011.
- ^ "Sky confirms strengthened entertainment line-up". British Sky Broadcasting. 25 October 2010. Archived from the original on 30 October 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
- ^ "Sky Atlantic to launch next month". Digital Spy. 5 January 2011. Archived from the original on 7 January 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
- ^ "Sky Atlantic +1 launching, September 20th". imediamonkey. 4 September 2012. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (6 February 2023). "'Save Me' Season Three In Development At Sky". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ Akinwumi, Stella (30 November 2022). "Gangs of London renewed for season 3 and fans are already buzzing". Metro. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (3 November 2022). "The Day Of The Jackal TV Adaptation Greenlit By Sky & Peacock With Top Boy Showrunner Ronan Bennett Attached". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
- ^ Shafer, Ellise (27 July 2024). "The Day of the Jackal Teaser: Eddie Redmayne Is an Elusive Assassin in Peacock and Sky Series". Variety. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ White, Peter (12 February 2020). "Top Of The Lake Producer See-Saw Films Adapting American Psycho-Meets-Fleabag Novel Sweetpea For Sky Atlantic With Pure Writer Kirstie Swain". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ Banks, Ethan (17 November 2023). "Sky Atlantic Sweetpea: Southend turns into film set for show". Echo-News. Retrieved 24 November 2023.
- ^ "What to watch in 2024". Sky Group. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
- ^ "Teaser released for Sky Original series Sweetpea, a deviously twisted coming-of-'rage' story starring Ella Purnell". Sky Group. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (28 November 2023). "Matt Smith To Helm Adaptation Of Nick Cave Novel The Death Of Bunny Munro For Sky". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (24 February 2022). "Sky & Peacock Behind Miniseries About Notorious Lockerbie Disaster; Oscar-Nominated Jim And Kirsten Sheridan To Write". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ^ Whittock, Jesse (23 January 2024). "Colin Firth To Star In Sky & Peacock Limited Series Lockerbie As Campaigner & Grieving Father Jim Swire". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
- ^ "DUNE: PROPHECY coming exclusively to Sky and NOW in 2024". Sky Group. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
- ^ Goldbart, Max (28 May 2024). "Sky Swoops For Max's The Penguin TV Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Baker, Matt (31 January 2011). "BSkyB bets on Sky Atlantic to boost subscriber numbers". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ "Welcome to Sky Atlantic HD" (PDF). Sky Media. 16 November 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 December 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
- ^ "Programme Information Highlights; February Sky Atlantic" (PDF). Sky Programme Information. 21 December 2010.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Sweney, Mark (1 October 2010). "BSkyB to launch Sky Atlantic". London: guardian.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 January 2017. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
- ^ "Sky agrees output deal to become the UK home of HBO". British Sky Broadcasting. 29 July 2010. Archived from the original on 1 August 2010. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
- ^ Hayes, David (8 September 2021). "HBO Max Confirms European Launch Date & Initial Territories". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ Whittock, Jesse (26 August 2022). "Sky's Content Pact With HBO "Will Continue One Way Or The Other" — Edinburgh TV Festival". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ Szalai, Georg (21 January 2016). "Pan-European Pay TV Giant Sky Strikes Exclusive Deal for Showtime Programming". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
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