 Logo used since 2023 | |
| Broadcast area | United Kingdom & Ireland |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Picture format | 1080iHDTV |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Sky Group (Comcast) |
| Sister channels | List of Sky UK channels |
| History | |
| Launched | 13 February 2023; 2 years ago (13 February 2023) |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
Sky Kids is a British and Irishchildren'spay televisionchannel owned and operated by theSky Group, a subsidiary ofComcast and launched on 13 February 2023[1][2] as the first in-house Sky-branded children's network.
The concept of a Sky-brandedchildren's television channel was first proposed in 1986 as part ofRupert Murdoch's bid to acquireBritish Satellite Broadcasting, a Britishdirect broadcast satellite company which merged withSky plc to form British Sky Broadcasting (then Sky Limited, nowSky UK).[3]The Children's Channel was eventually taken up by BSB after a failed attempt to acquire a 50% stake in TCC, Sky launchedFox Kids in 1996. A stake in the channel, which later rebranded in 2004 asJetix, eventually reduced over time until it was fully acquired byThe Walt Disney Company, who renamed the channelDisney XD in 2009. Sky also previously held a 40% stake in the 1993-launchedthe British venture of Nickelodeon and carried the networks with brand owner MTV Networks International (nowParamount International Networks) having 60% stake.
Prior to the launch of Sky Kids, aSky Kids Magazine was briefly available for subscribers ofSky Magazine. A Sky Kids app was launched on 30 March 2016 featuringOn Demand content specifically for children for Sky customers.[4]
On 31 October 2022, Sky sold their full stake in Nickelodeon UK Ltd. toParamount Networks UK & Australia; the Nickelodeon agreement had contained anon-compete clause that otherwise restricted Sky and Comcast from launching a children's television network while still holding a stake in Nickelodeon UK Ltd.[5]
On 22 November 2022, Sky UK announced the launch of a linear and commercial-free Sky Kids channel in February the following year.[1][6]
Sky Kids airs both original commissions and acquired shows.
Original commissions for the network include the television serial programmesReady, Eddie, Go! andMy Friend Misty, the latter executive produced byFearne Cotton, animated specials based on the book seriesPip and Posy[7] and co-productions such asFunny Talking Animals withBBC Studios Kids & Family.[8] The channel also broadcasts programmes that were already produced for the Sky Kids app such asMC Grammar: Wonder Raps andThe Brilliant World of Tom Gates.[1]
Acquired programming on the channel consists of content produced by Comcast-ownedDreamWorks Animation such asTrolls: TrollsTopia,Where's Wally?, andMadagascar: A Little Wild.[1] Other programmes on the channel includes content featuring Australian bandThe Wiggles[9] andThe Pingu Show.[10]
