Timeshift channels that are part of the GREAT! Network of channels will be withdrawn from Sky’s Irish satellite service from the end of October.
- Channels affected include GREAT! tv+1 and GREAT! movies+1
- The timeshift channels are already absent from Sky’s internet-based TV service
- Main versions of the channels will remain on the channel list
Sky and Narrative Entertainment – owner of the GREAT! Network – will be pulling timeshift channels from Sky Ireland’s satellite service on Tuesday 31st October 2023.
From this date, Sky Ireland viewers will no longer receive GREAT! tv+1 (channel 257), GREAT! movies+1 (channel 322), GREAT! romance+1/Christmas+1 (channel 320) and GREAT! action (channel 324). These channels will continue on Sky UK only.
However, the main versions of the channels will continue to be available to viewers in the Republic of Ireland. So for example, GREAT! tv will still be broadcast on channel 157 and GREAT! movies will remain on channel 321.
Unlike the +1 channels, GREAT! tv and GREAT! movies have dedicated Irish versions, carrying adverts applicable to viewers in the Republic.
Viewers using a generic satellite receiver or a Freesat UK box will still be able to watch both the +1 and main versions of these channels via satellite.
The removal of the +1 channels may have very little impact: Sky has already removed timeshift channels from its internet-based TV platform, which powers Sky Glass and Sky Stream. And a number of Sky’s own-brand channels now operate without a +1. Slowly but surely, the era of the +1 channel is ending.
Marc Thornham