Sky UK & Ireland brings back Sky One brand, axes Showcase and Max

Sky One’s content offering will include The Office spin-off The Paper

UK pay TV broadcaster Sky is set to bring back former flagship channel Sky One later this month, ending its five-year absence from screens.

From February 24, the revamped brand will become the home of the Comcast-owned company’s flagship comedy and entertainment programmes.

Content to be aired on Sky One will include new shows such as The Dyers’ Caravan Park and Gemma Collins: Four Weddings & a Baby, alongside fan favourites like Rob & Romesh Vs.., The Paper and Ted.

It will also host the much-anticipated UK version of long-running US sketch comedy variety show Saturday Night Live.

The oldest non-terrestrial TV channel in the UK, Sky One started out as Satellite Television in 1982 before being renamed Sky Channel in 1984 and then Sky1 in 1989.

Sky first took the decision to rebrand the flagship channel as Sky Showcase in July 2021, launching Sky Max at the same time. Both Sky Showcase and Sky Max will now be folded into Sky One, with bosses claiming the returning network will be a one-stop shop for all its best entertainment content.

Carli Kerr, MD of Sky TV and streamer Now, said: “Our goal is to make it easier than ever for Sky TV customers to find and enjoy the shows they love. Building on the iconic heritage of Sky One, the channel will be a one-of-a-kind destination that’s big, bold and bursting with energy.”