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Sky Atlantic

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 Atlantic
Logo used since 1 October 2020
CountryUnited Kingdom
Broadcast area
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed.)
Timeshift serviceSky Atlantic +1
Ownership
OwnerSky Group (Comcast)
Sister channelsList of Sky UK channels
History
Launched1 February 2011; 13 years ago (2011-02-01)
ReplacedChannel One
Bravo
Links
Websitewww.sky.com/watch/channel/sky-atlantic
Availability
Streaming media
Sky GoWatch live (UK and Ireland only)
NowWatch live (UK and Ireland only)
Sky Atlantic VIP
Logo used from 2017 to 2019
CountryUnited Kingdom
Broadcast area
  • United Kingdom
  • Ireland
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i HDTV
(downscaled to 16:9 576i for the SDTV feed.)
Ownership
OwnerSky Group (Comcast)
History
Launched25 July 2017; 7 years ago (2017-07-25)
Closed12 June 2019; 5 years ago (2019-06-12)
Links
Websiteskyatlantic.sky.com

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

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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

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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

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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

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For Italian Sky Atlantic original programmes, see Sky Atlantic (Italian TV channel).

Drama

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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

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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]
Sweetpea Dark comedy Starz/United States 10 October 2024 1 series, 6 episodes 41–50 min. Series 1 ongoing
The Day of the Jackal Thriller Peacock/United States 7 November 2024 1 series, 10 episodes TBA Series 1 ongoing
Awaiting release
Lockerbie: A Search for Truth[15][16] Drama Peacock/United States 2 January 2025[17] 1 series, 5 episodes TBA Pending

Acquired programming

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Upcoming programming

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Comedy

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Title Genre Premiere Series Length Status Notes
Small Town, Big Story[18] Comedy 2025[19] 1 series, 6 episodes TBA Post-production
The Death of Bunny Munro[20] Comedy TBA 1 series, 6 episodes TBA Filming

Acquired programming

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Former programming

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Drama

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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

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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

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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

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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
The Lovers Romantic comedy Sundance Now/United States 2023 1 series, 6 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

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Sky Atlantic relies heavily on screenings of US television programmes, with more than 50% of all programming coming from HBO.[23] Although the channel mainly screens dramas, blocks in the channel's schedule were dedicated to comedies and movies.[24][25] The launch of Sky Atlantic in 2011 followed the broadcaster's £150m,[26] 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.[27] Although it has been renewed since, the exclusivity deal with HBO is currently set to expire by the end of 2025,[28] allowing for the launch of Max in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy in 2026.[29] Despite this, Sky plan to acquire new and returning series via separate agreements on a programme-by-programme basis,[30] including House of the Dragon, The Last of Us, The White Lotus and Euphoria.[31]

In January 2016, Sky expanded the acquired programming on Atlantic after purchasing the broadcast rights to Showtime programming; however, Sky Atlantic does not broadcast all Showtime programmes, as some series would later air on Channel 4 as part of a separate deal.[32] The deal with Showtime expired in December 2021, with all future series becoming exclusive to Paramount+, while a separate agreement allowed Billions to continue on Sky.[33]

HBO programming

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Showtime programming

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Most watched programmes

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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.[34] 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.[35]

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

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  1. ^ The first series was initially co-produced with Cinemax but was later moved to AMC who became co-producers from the second series onwards.
  2. ^ The series was initially co-produced with AMC but was later moved to Starz.
  3. ^ a b c d Cinemax programming
  4. ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for series 3–4
  5. ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for series 10–12
  6. ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for series 4–5
  7. ^ a b c HBO Max / Max programming
  8. ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for series 7 onwards
  9. ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for series 18 onwards
  10. ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for series 2–4
  11. ^ Moved to Amazon Prime Video for series 2
  12. ^ Moved to Sky Comedy for series 3
  13. ^ a b Moved to Paramount+ for series 3
  14. ^ Moved to Paramount+ for Ray Donovan: The Movie
  15. ^ Moved to Paramount+ for series 2 onwards
  16. ^ Moved to Paramount+ for series 2

References

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  1. ^ "How can I watch Sky Atlantic? | Virgin, NOW TV, TalkTalk & BT - Cable.co.uk". Cable. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Sky Showcase guide to new shows in 2024".
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ "Sky Atlantic to launch today". RTÉ News. 1 February 2011. Archived from the original on 3 February 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2011.
  6. ^ "Sky to launch Sky Atlantic channel". Digital Spy. 1 October 2010. Archived from the original on 2 October 2010. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "Sky confirms strengthened entertainment line-up". British Sky Broadcasting. 25 October 2010. Archived from the original on 30 October 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  11. ^ "Sky Atlantic to launch next month". Digital Spy. 5 January 2011. Archived from the original on 7 January 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2011.
  12. ^ "Sky Atlantic +1 launching, September 20th". imediamonkey. 4 September 2012. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014.
  13. ^ Goldbart, Max (6 February 2023). "'Save Me' Season Three In Development At Sky". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
  14. ^ 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.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ Goldbart, Max (14 October 2024). "'Lockerbie: A Search for Truth': Peacock & Sky Unveil Trailer For Colin Firth Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  18. ^ Yossman, K.J. (7 September 2023). "Christina Hendricks, Paddy Considine to Star in Chris O'Dowd's Sky Drama Small Town, Big Story". Variety. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  19. ^ "Watch Small Town, Big Story". Sky.com. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "Dune: Prophecy coming exclusively to Sky and NOW in 2024". Sky Group. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  22. ^ "Dune: Prophecy coming exclusively to Sky and NOW on November 18, as official trailer released". Sky Group. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ "Welcome to Sky Atlantic HD" (PDF). Sky Media. 16 November 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 December 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2010.
  25. ^ "Programme Information Highlights; February Sky Atlantic" (PDF). Sky Programme Information. 21 December 2010.[permanent dead link]
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ "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.
  28. ^ 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.
  29. ^ 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.
  30. ^ Whittock, Jesse (22 August 2024). "Sky's Content Boss Addresses Future Relationship With Incoming UK Streamer Max: "Remember We're Both A Platform And Broadcast Business" — Edinburgh". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  31. ^ Mata, William (30 September 2024). "Sky files lawsuit against Warner Bros for 'cutting it out' of Harry Potter series". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  32. ^ 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.
  33. ^ "PARAMOUNT+ REVEALS UK LAUNCH DATE, PRICING, DISTRIBUTION PARTNERS & MORE" (Press release). Paramount Global. 3 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 February 2023. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Four-screen dashboard | BARB". www.barb.co.uk. Archived from the original on 3 December 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2017.
  35. ^ "Game of Thrones most popular Sky series ever with 5m viewers". The Guardian. 6 July 2016. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2019.
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