Sky’s channel list in the Republic of Ireland has shrunk by a further eight services this week in the latest wave of deletions to affect Sky’s Irish customers this year.
Low viewing figures coupled with the cost of listing and additional regulatory hurdles have resulted in record numbers of TV and radio services leaving Sky Ireland’s Electronic Programme Guide (EPG).
From a regulatory point of view, broadcasters wanting to be carried by Sky Ireland need to be registered with an EU licensing authority in addition to Ofcom following Brexit. As the Republic of Ireland is not a signatory of the European Convention on Transfrontier Television (ECTT), a post-Brexit loophole used by other broadcasters does not apply.
At the same time, the rise of the internet as a more cost-effective way to reach potential viewers and listeners outside of normal regulatory frameworks means the figures no longer add-up for inclusion on Sky’s Irish listing. However, many affected channels can continue to be manually tuned in or accessed through a generic free-to-air satellite receiver.
Channels removed from Sky’s Ireland line-up week commencing 20th September 2021:
- Channel 182 – Channel 7
- Channel 329 – ROK
- Channel 593 – SonLife
- Channel 745 – Ahlebait TV
- Channel 768 – Sikh Channel
- Channel 769 – Sangat
- Channel 772 – Kanshi TV
- Channel 793 – Iran International
In the last twelve months, 45 channels have been removed specifically from Sky Ireland. This is on top of channels which have closed altogether in both the UK and Ireland, such as Fox, Lifetime and Vice.
- Forces TV
- NOW 70s
- NOW 80s
- NOW 90s
- Clubland TV
- Trace Urban
- Trace Vault
- RT
- Channels 24
- Loveworld HD
- Hochanda (since rebranded as “The Craft Store”)
- JML Direct
- Hidayat
- Ahlulbayt TV
- British Muslim TV
- Sukh Sagar
- Kiss
- Magic
- Hits Radio
- Scala
- Jazz FM
- Planet Rock
- Absolute
- Absolute 80s
- Absolute 90s
- Absolute Classic Rock
- WRN Europe
- TWR Radio
- Virgin Radio
- TalkSPORT
- Capital
- Capital Xtra
- Classic FM
- Gold
- Heart
- Heart 80s
- Heart 90s
- Heart Dance
- LBC
- LBC News
- Radio X
- Smooth
- Desi Radio
- Khushkhabri
- BFBS Radio
Last month, Irish radio station Newstalk pulled its satellite distribution in both the UK and Ireland.
However, Sky Ireland viewers have gained some new services in the past year including RTÉ2+1 and Freesports. A number of UK channels have also launched Republic of Ireland versions, including CBS Drama, DMAX, HGTV and Quest Red. The Irish versions allow broadcasters to offer targeted advertising to viewers.