Sky Arts HD
| Sky Arts | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | 1 January 2000 |
| Owned by | Sky plc |
| Picture format |
16:9 (576i SDTV) 16:9 (1080i HDTV) |
| Audience share | 0.10% (September 2015, BARB) |
| Slogan | Be Inspired |
| Formerly called | Artsworld (2000–2007) |
| Sister channel(s) |
Challenge, Pick, Real Lives, Sky 1, Sky 2, Sky Atlantic, Sky Cinema, Sky Cinema Box Office, Sky Living, Sky News, Sky Sports, Sky Sports F1, Sky Sports News HQ |
| Website | www.sky.com/arts |
|
Availability
|
|
| Satellite | |
| Sky | Channel 121 (SD/HD) Channel 223 (SD) On Demand |
| Cable | |
|
Virgin Media (UK) |
Channel 122 Channel 206 (HD) Sky Anytime |
| Virgin Media Ireland | Channel 141 Channel 145 (HD) |
| IPTV | |
| TalkTalk TV | Channel 305 |
| Streaming media | |
| Sky Go | Watch live (UK & Ireland only) |
| Virgin TV Anywhere | Watch live (UK only) |
| Now TV | Watch live (UK only) |
| Sky Arts | |
|---|---|
The 1990s Sky Arts logo
|
|
| Launched | 2 December 1990 |
| Closed | 31 December 1992 |
| Owned by | British Sky Broadcasting |
| Picture format | 4:3 (576i SDTV) |
|
Availability
|
|
| Satellite | |
| Analogue | Marcopolo, 11.785 |
Sky Arts (originally launched as Artsworld) is an art-oriented television channel offering 24 hours a day of programmes dedicated to highbrow arts, including theatrical performances, movies, documentaries and music (such as opera performances and classical and jazz sessions). The channel is available via Sky, Virgin Media, and TalkTalk TV, included in most basic subscription packs, but started life as a premium service requiring an additional payment on top of the monthly Sky subscription. Sky Arts HD is also available on Sky, Virgin Media.
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.
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. 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. 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.
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Wikipedia