The owner of Blaze and Crime+Investigation is preparing to launch Irish versions of its channels on the Sky TV platform.
- Hearst Networks EMEA will launch the new services on Tuesday 15th October.
Sky customers in the Republic of Ireland will gain three further localised versions of TV channels next week. Hearst Networks is launching Irish versions of Blaze, Crime+Investigation and Sky History, available on both Sky satellite and Sky Glass/Stream from Tuesday 15th October.
On satellite, Blaze ROI will replace the current UK feed and will be available without an active Sky subscription. Crime+Investigation and Sky History are exclusively available to subscribers.
The new Irish version of Sky History is a joint venture between Sky and Hearst Networks EMEA (formerly known as A+E Networks).
The changes will be made automatically with the new Irish versions of the channels taking over the same channel numbers as the current UK versions. On satellite, the new Irish versions are in standard definition (SD) only.
- BLAZE: Sky satellite 164, Stream/Glass: 162
- Crime+Investigation SD: Sky satellite 156/837, Stream/Glass: 138
- Sky History SD: Sky satellite 123/821, Stream/Glass: 116
As with other channels on Sky, the Irish versions will remain a simulcast of the UK version, except for the adverts.
Hearst Networks has been seeking to boost revenues by creating new advertising opportunities on both traditional linear TV outlets as well as via streaming platforms.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: Hearst Networks EMEA