Sky Gives TV Menu New ID

Next month Sky will launch its latest true-crime channel, Investigation Discovery (ID), and fold the Food Network into the Living channel.

The bad news is ID will be in SD; the good news is foodies will be able to enjoy some of their favourite shows in HD for the first time, albeit fewer of them, on Living.

The revamp will also see the Discovery Channel offered to subscribers generally, as part of Sky’s Starter Package, and the “streamlining” of the two SoHo channels into one.

Here’s the press release:

Discovering more of what you love has never been easier with Sky and Discovery

Fans of premium factual, lifestyle and true crime shows, make sure to mark Monday 1 March in your diaries! That’s the day we make some fabulous changes to the entertaining line-up on Sky as part of the previously announced multi-year agreement with Discovery:

• • #1 U.S. true crime channel Investigation Discovery launches on Sky channel 18.
  • Food Network content will have a new home on Living – Sky channel 17.
  • Discovery channel will become available to more Sky customers through a move to Sky’s Starter Package.

As part of Sky and Discovery’s renewed partnership, the #1 U.S. true crime channel Investigation Discovery will launch in New Zealand for the first time on Sky from 1 March 2021. Investigation Discovery uncovers the truth behind incredible real crime stories with world-class, gripping stories exploring the dark side of human nature.  From shocking crimes to salacious scandals, ID is the home of real-life mystery, suspense, and addictive storytelling.

Real cases, real people, real life drama. Investigation Discovery’s line-up of compelling programs for March include JonBenét Ramsey: What Really Happened?, O.J. & Nicole: An American Tragedy, Doomsday: The Missing Children, Joe Exotic: Tigers, Lies and Cover-Up, In Pursuit with John Walsh, Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall, and Atlanta Justice. More new titles to come this year include various installments of the acclaimed An ID Murder Mystery series which explores headline cases, Breaking Homicide, Twisted Sisters (Executive Produced by Khloe Kardashian), The Murder Tapes, The Crimes That Changed Us, and more.

Food Network finds a new home on Living, making Living the ultimate destination for all foodies and lovers of lifestyle programming.

The new supersized channel includes new series’ from Martha Stewart, Gok Wan, and David Baddiel in March, as well as returning favourites Inside The Factory, Every Family Has A Secret, and Thursday Night Food, which serves up the world’s culinary giants – Nigella, Mary, Jamie and more from 8.30pm.

More Sky customers will be able to enjoy Discovery Channel’s iconic franchises, such as Aussie Gold Hunters, Gold Rush, Deadliest Catch, and, of course, Shark Week when the channel moves from Sky’s Entertainment Package to Sky’s Starter Package.

Appointment viewing for March includes Naked and Afraid XL, The Vaccine: Conquering Covid, and Alaskan Bush People. This move will also give customers the opportunity to revisit a selection of the channel’s rich back-catalogue via Sky Go and Sky On Demand.

Sophie Moloney, Sky CEO says, “Our customers need to be front and centre of all the decisions we make.  It’s essential we have inspiring content that we know from our research our customers will love and value.

“We’re excited about moving Discovery into our starter offer meaning more New Zealanders can enjoy the channel’s fantastic shows and documentaries.

“We’re also delighted to introduce Investigation Discovery and a supersized Living channel combining the best of Food Network and Living – much of which is in response to customer feedback through our 25,000-strong Sky Nation feedback panel.”

Investigation Discovery (ID) at a Glance:

• • Investigation Discovery (ID) will launch at 1am on Monday 1 March
  • Investigation Discovery (ID) will be available on Sky channel 18 (formerly Food Network)
  • Investigation Discovery (ID) will be available to Sky customers who subscribe to the Sky Entertainment Package

Living at a Glance:

• • Select Food Network content will be available on Living from 8.30pm on Thursday 4 March
  • Living will remain on Sky channel 17
  • Living is available to Sky customers who subscribe to the Sky Entertainment Package

Discovery at a Glance:

• • Discovery will be available to Sky customers who subscribe to the Sky Starter Package from 12.20am, Monday 1 March