Sky TV digs through the archives to launch six new exclusive streaming channels. But they’re not yet available to viewers with Sky’s legacy satellite TV service.
- New streaming-only channels available on Sky Glass and Sky Stream
- Sky Q users won’t be able to access the new channels until later this year.
- Sky Sports Classics, Sky Artist of the Year and Emergency 24/7 among the new channels.
- Will be available through the main Sky Glass/Stream channel list by end of 2024.
Leveraging the power of Sky’s back catalogue, Sky has today launched six streaming-only channels. They’re available at no extra cost via Sky Glass and Sky Stream. Sky Q users will need to wait though.
The new channels form part of the wider selection of streaming channels that have gone live on Sky Glass and Sky Stream through the Xumo Play app. Other non-exclusive streaming channels available through the Xumo include Dateline, Reuters and American Classic. At present, the only way to access the new Sky channels is through the Xumo Play app. However, Sky plans to add them to the main guide soon.
Xumo is joint venture between Sky’s parent Comcast and Charter. It’s the first time Xumo Play is officially available outside of North America.
Sky Glass/Stream TV customers can easily find the free app in the apps rail, or by saying “Xumo Play” into their Sky voice remote and start watching the new channels straight away. There’s no need to create an account.
▶ The six new Sky streaming channels
- Pick Paranormal. Not for the faint of heart, Pick Paranormal features Most Haunted, the fan favourite TV show investigating all things supernatural.
- Emergency 24/7. with Highway Cops, Air Ambulance ER and Stop Search Seize, plus many more shows, Emergency 24/7 is packed full of drama.
- Sky Artist of The Year. the channel for art aficionados, viewers can catch up on Sky’s Portrait Artist of the Year and Landscape Artist of the Year.
- Sky Sports Stories. whatever their sport, Sky Sports Stories has a documentary for every fan – from EFL Rivalries to Her Huddle.
- Sky Sports Classics. viewers can delve into the Sky Sports archives with the likes of Premier League Icons and Premier League Legends.
- Sky Sports Vault. the channel revisits a whole host of archive darts, EFL and boxing content including 30 Years of The PDC World Darts Championship and Fight Night.
Sky Q users
Legacy satellite TV users can’t access these channels just year. However, Sky has confirmed there’s a roadmap for the channels to become available later this year.
That’s when the Xumo Play app is due to be added to Sky Q boxes.
Older Sky boxes won’t be compatible, so affected customers will need to upgrade to Sky Q or Sky Stream.
Further integration
At the moment, you can’t access the new channels directly from the channel list on Sky Glass or Sky Stream. For now, you’ll need to go through Xumo Play.
That’s due to change later this year, when according to Sky, the above channels will be assigned a number on the TV guide, to sit directly alongside existing Sky channels.
By: Marc Thornham | image: Sky