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'''Sky3''' (originally '''Sky Three''', later '''Sky 3''') was a British [[free-to-air]] [[television]] channel owned by [[Sky UK|BSkyB]]. The channel launched on [[31 October]] [[2005]] on [[Freeview]] channel 11 and was later rebranded as [[Pick TV]] on [[1 March]] [[2011]]. | |||
'''Sky3''' (originally '''Sky Three''', later '''Sky 3''') was a British free-to-air television channel owned by | |||
== History == | == History == | ||
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=== Launch and Purpose === | === Launch and Purpose === | ||
Sky Three was announced in September 2005 as part of BSkyB's expansion of its entertainment channel portfolio. The channel launched simultaneously on Sky Digital and Freeview on 31 October 2005, replacing Sky Travel on the Freeview platform. Sky Three was BSkyB's first free-to-air general entertainment channel since Sky One became a pay channel in 1993.<ref name="campaign2005">{{cite news |last=May |first=Kevin |date=September 22, 2005 |title=Sky Three to launch on Freeview |work=Campaign |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/sky-three-launch-freeview/518295#:~:text=BSkyB%20is%20to%20launch%20a%20new%20channel%2C%20Sky%20Three%2C%20on%20the%20Sky%20and%20Freeview%20platforms%20next%20month%20and%20will%20also%20rename%20Sky%20Mix%20to%20Sky%20Two. |access-date=December 12, 2025}}</ref><ref name="bsgmag7">{{cite magazine|title= | Sky Three was announced in September 2005 as part of BSkyB's expansion of its entertainment channel portfolio. The channel launched simultaneously on Sky Digital and Freeview on 31 October 2005, replacing [[Sky Travel]] on the Freeview platform. Sky Three was BSkyB's first [[free-to-air]] general entertainment channel since [[Sky One]] became a pay channel in 1993.<ref name="campaign2005">{{cite news |last=May |first=Kevin |date=September 22, 2005 |title=Sky Three to launch on Freeview |work=Campaign |url=https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/sky-three-launch-freeview/518295#:~:text=BSkyB%20is%20to%20launch%20a%20new%20channel%2C%20Sky%20Three%2C%20on%20the%20Sky%20and%20Freeview%20platforms%20next%20month%20and%20will%20also%20rename%20Sky%20Mix%20to%20Sky%20Two. |access-date=December 12, 2025}}</ref><ref name="bsgmag7">{{cite magazine |title=Free For All |magazine=Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine |issue=7 |page=11 |date=November 2006}}</ref> | ||
The channel served as a "barker channel" for Sky's main entertainment channel Sky One and its other subscription services. According to BSkyB managing director of Sky Networks Dawn Airey, the channel's purpose was to "offer digital terrestrial viewers the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of popular programmes from Sky" while simultaneously reaching "an even wider audience" to help attract more subscribers to Sky's satellite service.<ref name="campaign2005" /> | The channel served as a "[[barker channel]]" for Sky's main entertainment channel [[Sky One]] and its other subscription services. According to BSkyB managing director of Sky Networks Dawn Airey, the channel's purpose was to "offer digital terrestrial viewers the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of popular programmes from Sky" while simultaneously reaching "an even wider audience" to help attract more subscribers to Sky's satellite service.<ref name="campaign2005" /> | ||
Sky Three carried content from the libraries of Sky One and Sky Travel, plus original commissioned material concentrated on lifestyle and travel documentaries. The launch programming in October 2005 included the first screening on free-to-air digital television of the third series of hit US drama ''[[ | Sky Three carried content from the libraries of [[Sky One]] and [[Sky Travel]], plus original commissioned material concentrated on lifestyle and travel documentaries. The launch programming in October 2005 included the first screening on free-to-air digital television of the third series of hit [[United States|US]] drama ''[[24 (TV series)|24]]'', starring [[Kiefer Sutherland]].<ref name="campaign2005" /> | ||
=== Programming and Performance === | === Programming and Performance === | ||
Programming highlights from the channel's schedule included ''[[ | Programming highlights from the channel's schedule included ''[[Futurama]]'', ''[[Cold Case]]'', ''[[Star Trek (franchise)|Star Trek]]'' series including ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation|The Next Generation]]'' and ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine|Deep Space Nine]]'', and ''[[Hex (TV series)|Hex]]''. | ||
Due to its wider availability on Freeview channel 11, Sky Three constantly achieved higher ratings than Sky Two, with Sky Three averaging approximately 1% audience share compared to Sky Two's 0.1–0.3% share.<ref name="bsgmag7" /> This performance demonstrated the channel's success in reaching audiences beyond Sky's satellite subscriber base. | Due to its wider availability on Freeview channel 11, Sky Three constantly achieved higher [[Nielsen ratings|ratings]] than [[Sky Two]], with Sky Three averaging approximately 1% [[Audience measurement|audience share]] compared to Sky Two's 0.1–0.3% share.<ref name="bsgmag7" /> This performance demonstrated the channel's success in reaching audiences beyond Sky's satellite subscriber base. | ||
==== | ==== Battlestar Galactica Coverage ==== | ||
Sky Three played an important role in expanding the [[United Kingdom|UK]] audience for ''[[Battlestar Galactica ( | Sky Three played an important role in expanding the [[United Kingdom|UK]] audience for ''[[Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)|Battlestar Galactica]]''. On Thursday, [[22 June]] [[2006]], Sky Three broadcast the first free-to-view UK transmission of the series, airing "[[33 (Battlestar Galactica)|33]]" and "[[Water (Battlestar Galactica)|Water]]" back-to-back. This broadcast marked the series' debut on [[free-to-air]] television in the UK, expanding its reach beyond [[Sky One]] subscribers.<ref name="bsgmag7" /> | ||
''[[ | ''[[Radio Times]]'' praised the series upon its Sky Three debut, describing it as a "dazzling wagon-trains-in-space opera."<ref name="bsgmag7" /> The free-to-air broadcasts allowed the Re-imagined Series to reach a significantly broader UK audience and helped establish its popularity beyond the pay-TV subscriber base. | ||
=== Rebrands === | === Rebrands === | ||
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=== Closure and Replacement === | === Closure and Replacement === | ||
On [[1 March]] [[2011]], Sky 3 was rebranded as '''Pick TV''' (later '''Pick''') to disassociate the channel from the Sky brand as it began to air more programming from defunct channels Channel One and Bravo. | On [[1 March]] [[2011]], Sky 3 was rebranded as '''[[Pick TV]]''' (later '''Pick''') to disassociate the channel from the Sky brand as it began to air more programming from defunct channels [[Channel One (British and Irish TV channel)|Channel One]] and [[Bravo (British TV channel)|Bravo]]. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||