BBC First Launches Today
October 1, 2024 
4 Comments
Sky’s newest premium drama channel, BBC First, which launches today, will impact the programming of BBC UKTV.
“Viewers may notice a few changes to UKTV,” a Sky spokesperson says.
“Content from the Monday premium drama slot on BBC UKTV will be moved to BBC First, as BBC First becomes Sky’s focused destination for premium British drama.
“UKTV will continue to be Sky’s leading entertainment channel, offering audiences a curated selection of top British entertainment content, including soap juggernaut EastEnders, fan favourite quizcoms 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, QI and Would I Lie to You, as well as celebrity chat shows The Jonathan Ross Show and The Graham Norton Show.
“Together, the two channels will offer Sky’s audience a huge range of British drama, comedy and entertainment programming.”
The BBC has created, built and programmed BBC First specifically for Sky. Despite the name of the channel, much of the schedule is driven by library fare that’s already screened here.
“TV schedules are constantly evolving so there is no set ratio of first-run versus library content informing BBC First programming,” Sky says.
“Audiences can expect a mix of exciting new series and the latest seasons of fan favourites, paired with an extensive back catalogue of much-beloved series synonymous with BBC.”
Although BBC First has the channel number 207, it will be prominent on Sky’s EPG grid.
“Sky channels have both a number and a position,” the spokesperson says. “While BBC First has a high channel number (207), it actually sits relatively prominently in our channel lineup, between BBC UKTV (007) and Jones! (008).
“This reflects the premium nature of the channel and the interest we believe it will have for Sky customers.”
I presume this is why we don’t have Britbox in New Zealand? Shame! — Robert.
BBC First is a very good channel. However, I am surprised that it takes ad breaks in the middle of shows. The other premium drama channel, Soho, don’t take ad breaks, but BBC First does. — jamhamnz.
Sky dubs BBC First a premium drama channel but it’s free to entertainment subscribers. SoHo originally was a channel that cost over and above the basic sub to view — around $10 a month. That charge has since been dropped as Sky’s repackaged its customer offers, downgraded the channel, broadened its content and prioritised streaming. While SoHo is no longer the drama powerhouse it was, the programmes remain mercifully free of ad breaks.
Remember that BBC curates the channel. Like all other BBC channels on Sky it inserts adverts. Soho, being curated in-house by Sky, can be programmed as Sky sees fit (with or without ads), with timing of programming (simultaneous or same day as US release). Just because it’s broadcast on Sky doesn’t necessarily mean Sky has control over content or adverts.– Mike.