Logo used since 2023 | |
Broadcast area | United Kingdom & Ireland |
---|---|
Programming | |
Language(s) | English |
Picture format | 1080i HDTV |
Ownership | |
Owner | Sky Group (Comcast) |
Sister channels | List of Sky UK channels |
History | |
Launched | 13 February 2023 |
Links | |
Website | www |
Availability | |
Terrestrial | |
See separate section |
Sky Kids is a British pay television channel carrying preschool and children's programmes.
Owned by the Sky Group, a subsidiary of Comcast, it is the first in-house children's network to be programmed and directly operated by Sky. Sky Kids launched on 13 February 2023.[1]
The concept of a Sky-branded children's television channel was first proposed in 1986 as part of Rupert Murdoch's bid for the national direct broadcast satellite franchise, won British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB and Sky plc would merge in 1990 into British Sky Broadcasting).[2] The Children's Channel eventually was taken up by the platform, and after a failed attempt to acquire a half-stake in TCC, Sky launched Fox Kids in 1996, a stake eventually reduced over time and completely bought out in 2009 by The Walt Disney Company, by which time it was known as Disney XD. Sky also held a 40% stake in Nickelodeon UK Ltd. and carried the Nickelodeon suite of children's networks from launch in 1993; MTV Networks International held the majority 60% stake.
Prior to the launch of Sky Kids, a Sky Kids Magazine was briefly available for subscribers of Sky Magazine. A Sky Kids app was launched in 2016 featuring On Demand content specifically for children, for Sky customers.[3]
On 31 October 2022, Sky sold their full stake in Nickelodeon UK Ltd. to Paramount Networks UK & Australia; the Nickelodeon agreement had contained a non-compete clause that otherwise restricted Sky and Comcast from launching a children's television network while still holding a stake in Nickelodeon UK Ltd.[4]
On 22 November 2022, Sky UK announced the launch of a linear and advertising-free Sky Kids channel some time in February 2023.[5]
Original programmes for the channel announced at launch include My Friend Misty, a series executive produced by Fearne Cotton, and Ready, Eddie, Go! These are complemented by acquired programmes including Trolls: TrollsTopia, Where's Wally?, and Madagascar: A Little Wild, and existing content commissioned for Sky such as MC Grammar: Wonder Raps and The Brilliant World of Tom Gates.[6]