SKY and Virgin viewers may notice a flurry of channel changes next week in the latest TV guide shake-up.
The move follows a number of big closures since the start of the year.
2
2
Big names including Eurosport, kids channel Pop Max and Sky History+1 have all disappeared from screens as traditional broadcasters feel the effects of streaming.
Much of Eurosport’s content has been merged with TNT Sports.
Meanwhile Pop Max‘s shows continue online.
And Sky History+1’s closure comes amid reduced demand for hour timeshift channels, with on-demand catch up filling its space.
To the relief of viewers, there aren’t currently any new channel closures lined up.
Though experts have warned more are likely to follow.
This week’s latest changes for Sky and Virgin customers will only affect those who subscribe to Sky Cinema.
The premium movie channels regularly have mini revamps to reflect special events or themes.
Monday will see the first big change take place, with Sky Cinema Star Trek disappearing.
It will switch over to being Sky Cinema Tom Cruise, showing many of the actor’s greatest big screen hits.
Then, later in the week on Friday we say farewell to Sky Cinema Greats once again.
It’ll become Sky Cinema Cult Classics temporarily.
Finally, on Saturday the Sky Cinema Tom Cruise channel will bow out.
But what replaces it won’t be too dissimilar with Sky Cinema M:I showing all the Mission: Impossible movies.
Here’s the full list of changes coming next week to be aware of:
- May 12: Sky Cinema Star Trek becomes Sky Cinema Tom Cruise – Sky channel 302 / Virgin channel 402.
- May 16: Sky Cinema Greats becomes Sky Cinema Cult Classics – Sky channel 304 / Virgin channel 404.
- May 17: Sky Cinema Tom Cruise becomes Sky Cinema M:I – Sky channel 302 / Virgin channel 402.
This is just the start – more changes ahead
Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun
Broadcasting is going through an almighty shift at the moment with the push toward streaming at a key point.
Eurosport and TNT Sports owner Warner Bros Discovery is making some big changes next year.
And it’s likely Discovery+ will disappear as a result.
The streaming service has closed in several countries already to make way for a replacement, Max, bringing HBO and Discovery content under one roof.
The UK is one of the few big markets where Max hasn’t launched yet because of existing agreements with Sky, allowing Sky Atlantic to air big HBO-made hits like Game of Thrones and The White Lotus.
But the pair recently announced a new deal that will pave the way for Max’s launch in the UK early 2026 as a standalone app, while Sky customers will get access at no extra cost.
So expect even bigger changes in the TV and streaming world next year.
