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Sky Kids

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; 22 months ago (13 February 2023)
Links
Website	www.sky.com/watch/channel/sky-kids
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.

History

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). 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.

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.

On 22 November 2022, Sky UK announced the launch of a linear and advertising-free Sky Kids channel some time in February 2023.

Availability

Cable

• Virgin Media UK: Channel 707 (HD)

Satellite

• Sky UK and Sky Ireland: Channel 609 (HD)

Terrestrial

• BT UK: Channel 472 (SD) & Channel 477 (HD)

Programming

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.

References

1. "Sky Kids launch triggers channel changes". RXTV. 3 February 2023. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
2. Miller, Jonathan (1 September 1986). "Rapid decision on Satellite TV". The Times.
3. Getzler, Wendy Goldman (30 March 2016). "Sky Kids app launches with original content in tow". Kidsscreen. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
4. "NICKELODEON U.K. LIMITED filing history - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.srvice.gov.uk. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
5. "New ad-free Kids channel coming to Sky and NOW". RXTV info. 2022-11-22. Retrieved 2022-11-22.
6. "Sky to launch brand new 24-hour ad-free Sky Kids channel". www.skygroup.sky. Retrieved 2022-11-22.

• 2023 establishments in the United Kingdom
• Children's television channels in the United Kingdom
• Children's television networks
• Commercial-free television networks
• English-language television stations in the United Kingdom
• Sky Group
• Preschool education television networks
• Television channels and stations established in 2023
• Television channels in the United Kingdom
• Universal Kids