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 Reaching Out To You Promo1985 Before the days of Sky One, even before Astra, Sky Channel was around, on cable.
Sky Channel Closedownc1986
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 Channel Ident1987
This is Sky. We're Europe's Number 1!
(thanks to Patrick Mulder for this recording and other video featured on this page)
Sky Sport Ident1987
This Sky Sport ident preceeded sports programming. Who knew this would become in later life a major Sky brand.
Sky Music Programmes 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!
Superstars of Wrestling Promo1988
A montage of wrestling stars from the world of WWF, including such luminaries as Hulk Hogan, "Macho Man" Randy Savage and...err...King Kong BundyVarious Sky Channel promotional material (click images for larger versions)
Logos from Sky Channel's home produced music programmes, presenter is Pat Sharp
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 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.