Sky Kids (TV channel)

This article is about the British television channel. For other uses, seeSky Kids.

Sky Kids

Logo used since 2023
Broadcast area	United Kingdom & Ireland
Transmitters	Sattelite Sky Ireland & United Kingdom by number dial 609
Programming
Language(s)	English
Picture format	1080iHDTV
Ownership
Owner	Sky Group(Comcast)
Sister channels	List of Sky UK channels
History
Launched	13 February 2023(13 February 2023)
Links
Website	www.sky/watch/channel/sky-kids
Availability
Terrestrial
Sattelite Sky Ireland & United Kingdom by number dial 609:https:// rxtvinfo /2023/sky-kids-launch-triggers-channel-change.html

Sky Kidsis a British and Irishchildren'spay televisionchannelowned and operated by theSky Group,a subsidiary ofComcastand launched on 13 February 2023as the first in-house Sky-branded children's network.

History

The concept of a Sky-brandedchildren's televisionchannel was first proposed in 1986 as part ofRupert Murdoch's bid to acquireBritish Satellite Broadcasting,a Britishdirect broadcast satellitecompany which merged withSky plcto form British Sky Broadcasting (then Sky Limited, nowSky UK).The Children's Channelwas eventually taken up by BSB after a failed attempt to acquire a 50% stake in TCC, Sky launchedFox Kidsin 1996. A stake in the channel, which later rebranded in 2004 asJetix,eventually reduced over time until it was fully acquired byThe Walt Disney Company,who renamed the channelDisney XDin 2009. Sky also previously held a 40% stake in the 1993-launchedthe British venture of Nickelodeonand carried the networks with brand owner MTV Networks International (nowParamount International Networks) having 60% stake.

Prior to the launch of Sky Kids, aSky Kids Magazinewas briefly available for subscribers ofSky Magazine.A Sky Kids app was launched on 30 March 2016 featuringOn Demandcontent specifically for children for Sky customers.

On 31 October 2022, Sky sold their full stake in Nickelodeon UK Ltd. toParamount Networks UK & Australia;the Nickelodeon agreement had contained anon-compete clausethat 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 commercial-free Sky Kids channel in February the following year.

Programming

Original programmes for the channel announced at launch include the television serial programmesReady, Eddie, Go!andMy Friend Misty,the latter executive produced byFearne Cotton.These are complemented by acquired programming from Comcast-ownedDreamWorks AnimationincludingTrolls: TrollsTopia,Where's Wally?,andMadagascar: A Little Wildand existing content commissioned for Sky such asMC Grammar: Wonder RapsandThe Brilliant World of Tom Gates.