Sky Rebrands Movie Channels

Sky has rationalised its movie service by dropping the SD Vintage channel and consolidating its pop-up movie channel into a Collections showcase.

Here’s the media release:

More variety, fewer repeats: Sky updates movies offering and channels for Sky Movies customers 

• • Changes to the movies channels and schedules will result in more variety and fewer repeats for Sky Movies customers 
  • Sky Movies Extra becomes Sky Movies Comedy 
  • New channel Sky Movies Collection replaces the periodic Sky Movies Pop-Up channel 
  • Sky Movies Vintage to cease, with classic film content added to Sky Movies Classics offering 
  • All Sky Movies channels will now be available in high definition (HD) 

Kiwi film buffs have spoken, and the Sky Movies crew has listened. After extensive feedback from the Sky Nation panel*, the Sky Movies crew is revitalising the Sky Movies package, meaning fewer repeats throughout the day and some exciting changes to the channel line-up.

This is good news for our Sky Movies customers who will see a greater range of movies in the schedule, and easier discovery of the types of movies they love. 

We know our customers love comedic movies and want a go-to destination for a guaranteed chuckle. Just like the thrill-seekers who can turn to Sky Movies Action for their fill of adrenaline, those in need of a hit of endorphins will soon have an easy-to-access hub for the comedy genre.

Across June and July, Sky Movies Extra will begin its transition with an increase in comedies before making the official change to Sky Movies Comedy in August. Pitch Perfect, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Ride Along, and Bring It On are some of the hilarious flicks to look forward to in the coming months. 

The ever-popular Sky Movies Pop-Up channel has allowed the Sky Movies crew to get creative; theming collections of films they know viewers will love. For example, pop-up channels inspired by actors, holidays, events, franchises, and genres. But the customers want more!

While Sky Movies Pop-up periodically popped up over the course of the year, the new Sky Movies Collection channel will host films to fit a regularly updated theme such as local, romance, war, or Christmas movies. 

After much deliberation, the Sky Movies team has decided to bid adieu to SD channel Sky Movies Vintage. But never fear, those golden-age favourites will still be a staple in the Sky Movies package and will be available to Sky Movies customers on the high definition channel Sky Movies Classics; the new home for classic cinema ranging right from the 1940s to the late 1990s. 

Kristin Prendergast, Head of Entertainment Programming, said: “Our team of dedicated movie aficionados has taken our customer feedback on board and have made big changes to the way we schedule movies, which means more variety and fewer repeats in a day’s programming. 

“We took a good look at our existing channels, kept what resonated, and changed what didn’t. We’re amped to launch Sky Movies Comedy because we need laughter now more than ever.

“Sky Movies Collection will allow us to show the real breadth of our movie library to our loyal Sky Movies customers. And, of course, Sky Movies Classics will be a fitting new home for the likes of West Side Story, Serpico, and It’s A Wonderful Life.“

Changes to the Sky Movies package at a glance: 

• • Sky Movies Extra (HD) will become Sky Movies Comedy (HD) on Monday 9 August, 10am 
  • Sky Movies Comedy (HD) will be available on Sky channel 31 
  • Sky Movies Collection (HD) will launch on Monday 9 August, 8.30pm 
  • Sky Movies Collection (HD) will be available on Sky channel 35 
  • Sky Movies Vintage (SD) will cease on Monday 2 August, 10am ‘
  • Vintage films (from the 1940s to the mid-1970s) will find a new home on HD channel Sky Movies Classics from Sunday 1 August, and selected content will continue to be available on Sky Go and Sky On Demand

* Launched in April 2020, the Sky Nation customer community was created to give Sky customers a chance to have their say on the products and services that matter to them. Since launch, Sky Nation has grown rapidly, with more than 25,000 customers across New Zealand partaking in surveys and interviews to help make Sky a better service for all New Zealanders.