Sky Channel, the origins of Sky. Sky Channel was Europe's pioneering first satellite channel. Originally a cable only station in the UK, starting in 1982. Soon after the February 1989 launch, the channel was re-named Sky One! A sister channel Sky Two was launched in 1996, but this was short lived, athough it's now back, along with a Sky Three
Sky Channel Image Promo1985
Before the days of Sky One, even before Astra, Sky Channel was around, on cable.
Sky Channel Closedown1987
Images of Europe and Sky's headquarters in London, as Sky Channel shuts down..
Sky Channel Next1987
A new look, glossy computer graphics animation over a star background - cutting edge for the time!
Sky Channel is now mostly referred to as just 'Sky'
So what's coming up next?
Sky Music Promo1987
Canada Calling, The Great Video Race, The Coca-Cola Eurochart Top50, Love in the Morning, Soul in the City, Nescafe UK Top 40, Bondstec Here Comes the Weekend, Sky Trax, Monsters of Rock, Countdown...
Sky Channel Tomorrow Programme List1987
Stay tuned for Sky Trax, but here's a look at what's on tomorrow...
Sky Channel Ident1988
Here's a long promo / ident before some continuity introducing what's ahead on Sky Channel!
Various Sky Channel promotional material (click images for larger versions)
Sky Channel - Astra Satellite
On February 5th 1989, The Sky Television Network is launched on the Astra satellite, with it came the original Sky Channel
Sky Channel Launch1989
The Sky TV network launch began with a simulcast of a promotional video/message at 6pm across all of it's new channels. Voiced by James Smillie welcoming viewers to the Sky Television Network. Here's how it looked on Sky Channel that historic night... The promo was followed by a documentary 'The Revolution' highlighting how Sky will change the lives of people in areas of the UK who cant watch tv because of poor receptions from terrestrial transmitters.
Sky Channel Launch - 1st Advert1989
Here's the first advert to premier on Sky Channel - Amstrad Fidelity Camcorder
Sky Channel Programme List1989
What's on today? notice the slight update in style for promos, with the logo from the ident now superimposed.
Sky Channel Ident1989
The basic launch idents were soon swapped after the network launch for more elaborate ones, designed by Harry Marks in the United States
Sky One Ident1989
On July 30th 1989, Sky Channel was rebranded as Sky One, a title believed to be more fitting for its flagship channel.