The Stage

Sky to launch second arts channel

Published Tuesday 19 August 2008 at 10:50 by Matthew Hemley

Sky is to double its arts programming output with the launch of a new channel that will have a particular focus on opera and dance.

Sky Arts 2 will run alongside existing offerings Sky Arts 1, formerly Sky Arts, and Sky Arts HD. Between them the channels will air 36 hours of content a day.

Sophie Turner Laing, managing director for entertainment, said: “Arts is integral to the Sky platform and we now have the wealth and breadth of diverse arts content to warrant two dedicated arts channels. At a time when other broadcasters’ commitment to the arts is open to question, we firmly believe in giving our customers the best choice.”

With the introduction of Sky Arts 2 from Monday, October 20, coverage of arts programming has been reorganised.

Sky Arts 1 will broadcast “more contemporary and cult programming”, including live rock concerts and documentaries.

New shows include Suggs’ Italian Job, in which the Madness frontman takes the viewer on a cultural tour of Italy, and Art Rocks, a series which explores the hidden artistic talents of Iggy Pop, Moby, George Clinton and Dave Stewart.

Meanwile, Sky Arts 2 will include a brand new series of shows from the Metropolitan Opera, including Romeo & Juliet, Macbeth, Tristan and Isolde, Peter Grimes, La Boheme, Hansel and Gretel and Manon Lescaut, while Vanessa-Mae’s Classical Top Ten will be a season of classical music performances as chosen by Sky Arts viewers. She will introduce each piece of music beforehand, providing her personal reflections and insights.