Sky3 - Revision history

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: /* Battlestar Galactica Coverage */

2025-12-12T03:51:21Z

Battlestar Galactica Coverage

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:51, 12 December 2025
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	{{~~Cast~~ Data		{{TV channel Data\|name=Sky3\|image=Sky3 logo 2008-2011.svg\|description=Sky3 Logo (2008-2011)\|owned=[[w:BSkyB\|BSkyB]]\|picformat=[[w:576i\|576i]] ([[w:SDTV\|SDTV]])\|sisters=Sky1, Sky2, Sky1 HD\|website=\|countries={{flag\|UK}} <br/> {{flag\|IRL}}\|channels='''[[w:Freeview (UK)\|Freeview]]''' Channel 11<br/> '''[[w:Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)\|Sky Digital]]''' Channel 108 (later 223)}}
	\| ~~photo~~=
	\| ~~age~~=
	\| ~~birthname~~=
	\| ~~birthplace~~=
	\| ~~birthdate~~= [[~~31 October~~]] [[~~2005~~]]
	\| ~~deathdate~~= [[~~1 March~~]] [[~~2011~~]] (~~as Sky 3~~)
	~~\| role= British free-to-air television channel~~
	~~\| imdb=~~
	~~\| name= Sky3~~
	}}

	'''Sky3''' (originally '''Sky Three''', later '''Sky 3''') was a British free-to-air television channel owned by BSkyB (now Sky UK). 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 BSkyB (now Sky UK). The channel launched on 31 October 2005 on Freeview channel 11 and was later rebranded as Pick TV on 1 March 2011.
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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=Free For All \|magazine=Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine \|issue=7 \|page=11 \|date=November 2006}}</ref>		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=Sound Bites... 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 ''24'', starring [[wikipedia:Kiefer Sutherland\|Kiefer Sutherland]].<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 ''[[w:24_(TV_series)\|24]]'', starring [[wikipedia:Kiefer Sutherland\|Kiefer Sutherland]].<ref name="campaign2005" />

	=== Programming and Performance ===		=== Programming and Performance ===
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	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 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.

	==== Battlestar Galactica Coverage ====		==== ''Battlestar Galactica'' Coverage ====

	Sky Three played an important role in expanding the [[United Kingdom\|UK]] audience for ''[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)\|Battlestar Galactica]]''. On Thursday, [[22 June]] [[2006]], Sky Three broadcast the first free-to-view UK transmission of the series, airing "[[33]]" and "[[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" />		Sky Three played an important role in expanding the [[United Kingdom\|UK]] audience for ''[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)\|Battlestar Galactica]]''. On Thursday, [[22 June]] [[2006]], Sky Three broadcast the first free-to-view UK transmission of the series, airing "[[33]]" and "[[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" />

Joe Beaudoin Jr. at 03:47, 12 December 2025

2025-12-12T03:47:44Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:47, 12 December 2025
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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]].		{{Cast Data
			\| photo=
			\| age=
			\| birthname=
			\| birthplace=
			\| birthdate= [[31 October]] [[2005]]
			\| deathdate= [[1 March]] [[2011]] (as Sky 3)
			\| role= British free-to-air television channel
			\| imdb=
			\| name= Sky3
			}}

			'''Sky3''' (originally '''Sky Three''', later '''Sky 3''') was a British free-to-air television channel owned by BSkyB (now Sky UK). The channel launched on 31 October 2005 on Freeview channel 11 and was later rebranded as Pick TV on 1 March 2011.

	== 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=Free For All \|magazine=Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine \|issue=7 \|page=11 \|date=November 2006}}</ref>		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 ~~[[United States\|~~US]] drama ''~~[[24 (TV series)\|~~24]]'', starring [[Kiefer Sutherland]].<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 ''24'', starring [[wikipedia:Kiefer Sutherland\|Kiefer Sutherland]].<ref name="campaign2005" />

	=== Programming and Performance ===		=== Programming and Performance ===

	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]]''.		Programming highlights from the channel's schedule included ''[[wikipedia:Futurama\|Futurama]]'', ''[[wikipedia:Cold Case\|Cold Case]]'', ''[[wikipedia:Star Trek\|Star Trek]]'' series including ''[[wikipedia:Star Trek: The Next Generation\|The Next Generation]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Star Trek: Deep Space Nine\|Deep Space Nine]]'', and ''[[wikipedia:Hex (TV series)\|Hex]]''.

	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.		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.

	==== Battlestar Galactica Coverage ====		==== Battlestar Galactica Coverage ====

	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" />		Sky Three played an important role in expanding the [[United Kingdom\|UK]] audience for ''[[Battlestar Galactica (RDM)\|Battlestar Galactica]]''. On Thursday, [[22 June]] [[2006]], Sky Three broadcast the first free-to-view UK transmission of the series, airing "[[33]]" and "[[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.		''[[wikipedia:Radio Times\|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 ~~(British and Irish TV channel)\|Channel One]]~~ and ~~[[Bravo (British TV channel)\|~~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 and Bravo.

	== References ==		== References ==

Joe Beaudoin Jr. at 03:46, 12 December 2025

2025-12-12T03:46:08Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:46, 12 December 2025
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	{{TV channel Data\|name=Sky3\|image=Sky3 logo 2008-2011.svg\|description=Sky3 Logo (2008-2011)\|owned=[[w:BSkyB\|BSkyB]]\|picformat=[[w:576i\|576i]] ([[w:SDTV\|SDTV]])\|sisters=Sky1, Sky2, Sky1 HD\|website=\|countries={{flag\|UK}} <br/> {{flag\|IRL}}\|channels='''[[w:Freeview (UK)\|Freeview]]''' Channel 11<br/> '''[[w:Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)\|Sky Digital]]''' Channel 108 (later 223)}}		'''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 free-to-air ~~entertainment~~ channel ~~operated~~ by [[~~w:BSkyB~~\|BSkyB]] ~~in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland~~. The channel ~~served~~ as ~~a showcase for programming from Sky's premium channels, particularly~~ [[~~Sky1~~]]~~, making selected content available to viewers without a Sky subscription~~.

	== History ==		== History ==

	=== Launch and Purpose ===		=== Launch and Purpose ===
	Sky Three launched on 31 October 2005, replacing Sky Travel's EPG slot on Freeview in a bid to attract more subscribers to Sky's satellite service.<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix">{{cite web\|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky3\|title=Sky Mix\|publisher=Wikipedia\|accessdate=2024}}</ref> It was the first free-to-air general entertainment channel from Sky since Sky One became a pay channel in 1993.<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix" />

	~~The channel~~ was ~~essentially a barker channel for Sky~~'s ~~main~~ entertainment channel Sky ~~One~~ and ~~its other subscription services~~, ~~designed to "offer digital terrestrial viewers~~ the ~~opportunity~~ to ~~enjoy~~ a ~~wide variety of popular programmes from Sky~~."<ref name="~~wikipedia_sky_mix~~" /> ~~Due~~ to ~~its wider availability~~ on Freeview ~~channel 11, the channel constantly had higher ratings than Sky Two, achieving on average a 1~~% ~~share compared to Sky Two's 0.1–3~~% ~~share~~.<ref name="~~wikipedia_sky_mix~~" />		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>

	~~=== Name Changes ===~~		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" />
	~~In 2008,~~ Sky's ~~channels got another new look,~~ and ~~the channels were referred~~ to ~~as "Sky1", "Sky2" and "Sky3".<ref name="everybodywiki_sky_idents">{{cite web\|url=https://en.everybodywiki.com/History_of_Sky_television_idents\|title=History~~ of Sky ~~television idents\|publisher=EverybodyWiki\|accessdate=2024}}</ref> In 2008~~, ~~Sky~~'s ~~entertainment channels changed~~ the ~~wording in the logos~~ to ~~numbers, hence~~ Sky ~~Three became~~ Sky 3.<ref name="~~wikipedia_sky_mix~~" />

	~~A final rebrand took place in early 2011 and saw~~ Sky ~~1, 2 and 3 gain similar rectangular logos to~~ Sky ~~News~~ and Sky ~~Sports. On 1 February 2011~~, ~~Sky Atlantic launched~~ on ~~Sky channel 108, which had originally been occupied by Sky 3~~.~~<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix" /> Sky 3 was renamed Pick TV~~ on ~~1 March 2011, to disassociate the channel with Sky as it began~~ to air ~~more programmes from~~ the ~~former Channel One and Bravo~~.<ref name="~~wikipedia_sky_mix~~" />		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" />

	== ~~''Battlestar Galactica'' on Sky3~~ ==		=== Programming and Performance ===
	''[[Battlestar Galactica (TRS)\|Battlestar Galactica]]'' embarked on its first free-to-view TV transmission in the UK when Sky Three began airing the show's first season on Thursday, 22 June 2006. The channel broadcast the opening episodes "[[33]]" and ~~"[[Water]]" back-to-back.<ref name="bsg_mag_7_sky3_freeview_p11">{{cite magazine\|magazine=Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine\|issue=7\|pages=11\|date~~=~~October/November 2006\|publisher~~=~~[[Titan Magazines]]\|title~~=~~Free For All}}</ref>~~

	''~~Battlestar Galactica~~'''~~s free-to-view UK debut was widely welcomed by critics~~, ~~with the leading British TV listing magazine~~ ''~~Radio Times~~'' ~~hailing the show "a dazzling wagon-trains-in-space opera~~.~~"<ref name="bsg_mag_7_sky3_freeview_p11" />~~		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]]''.

	~~The free-~~to~~-air broadcast represented a significant expansion of the show's UK~~ audience~~, as it had previously been available only~~ to ~~Sky1 subscribers. The channel showed the free-to-air premieres of some of~~ Sky ~~One~~'s ~~more prestigious shows, such as series~~ 3 ~~and 4 of ''24'', ''Rescue Me'', ''The 10th Kingdom'', ''Hex'', and the latest remake of ''Battlestar Galactica''~~.<ref name="~~wikipedia_sky_mix~~" />		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.

	== ~~Programming~~ ==		==== Battlestar Galactica Coverage ====
	Early highlights from the channel's schedule included ''Futurama'', ''Cold Case'', ''Tru Calling'', ''Relic Hunter'', ''Road Wars'', the Inside strand of documentaries, ''Brainiac: Science Abuse'', ''Airline'', and 35mm from Sky Movies (which looked at upcoming films in the cinema and on Sky's premium movies service Sky Movies) and ''Dream Team''.<ref name=~~"wikipedia_sky_mix" />~~

	~~The channel also showed series 3 and 4 of~~ ''~~Prison Break~~'' ~~in 2010~~, ~~''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine''~~ and '~~'Star Trek: The Next Generation''~~.<ref name="~~wikipedia_sky_mix~~" />		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" />

	~~== Technical Details ==~~		''[[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.
	~~On 23 August 2010~~, ~~Sky Sports News became~~ a ~~pay~~-~~TV channel, which was replaced on Freeview by a one~~-~~hour timeshift version of Sky 3. Sky 3 +1 also launched on Sky channel 223 on the same day~~.<ref name="~~wikipedia_sky_mix~~" />

	== ~~Legacy~~ ==		=== Rebrands ===
	~~Instead of Sky selling on the terrestrial free-to-air rights for their programmes to another broadcaster, these rights were usually retained to remain exclusive to Sky through Sky3.<ref name~~=~~"wikipedia_sky_mix" /> This strategy allowed Sky to maintain control over its premium content while using it as a marketing tool to attract new subscribers to its paid satellite service.~~

	~~The channel~~'s rebrand to Pick TV ~~in 2011 marked~~ the ~~end of~~ the ~~Sky3~~ brand~~, though the~~ channel ~~continued broadcasting under different ownership~~ and ~~branding, eventually becoming Pick in 2013 and Sky Mix in 2023~~.		On [[31 August]] [[2008]], Sky Three was rebranded as '''Sky3''' (without a space), as part of a wider rebranding of Sky's entertainment channels to use numeral-only designations.

			On [[1 February]] [[2011]], the channel underwent a minor rebrand to '''Sky 3''' (with a space between "Sky" and "3"), adopting a new logo design consistent with other Sky channels.

			=== 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 (British and Irish TV channel)\|Channel One]] and [[Bravo (British TV channel)\|Bravo]].

	== References ==		== References ==
	~~{{reflist}}~~		<references/>

	== External links ==		== External links ==

	* [http://~~www~~.sky.com/ Sky ~~Homepage~~]		* [http://corporate.sky.com Sky UK official website]

			[[Category:A to Z]]
			[[Category:Broadcasters (RDM)]]
			[[Category:UK]]

Joe Beaudoin Jr.: Created page with "{{TV channel Data|name=Sky3|image=Sky3 logo 2008-2011.svg|description=Sky3 Logo (2008-2011)|owned=BSkyB|picformat=576i (SDTV)|sisters=Sky1, Sky2, Sky1 HD|website=|countries={{flag|UK}}
{{flag|IRL}}|channels='''Freeview''' Channel 11
'''Sky Digital''' Channel 108 (later 223)}} '''Sky3''' (originally '''Sky Three''', later '''Sky 3''') was a free-to-air entertainment channel..."

2025-12-12T03:39:26Z

Created page with "{{TV channel Data|name=Sky3|image=Sky3 logo 2008-2011.svg|description=Sky3 Logo (2008-2011)|owned=BSkyB|picformat=576i (SDTV)|sisters=Sky1, Sky2, Sky1 HD|website=|countries={{flag|UK}} <br/> {{flag|IRL}}|channels='''Freeview''' Channel 11<br/> '''Sky Digital''' Channel 108 (later 223)}} '''Sky3''' (originally '''Sky Three''', later '''Sky 3''') was a free-to-air entertainment channel..."

New page

{{TV channel Data|name=Sky3|image=Sky3 logo 2008-2011.svg|description=Sky3 Logo (2008-2011)|owned=[[w:BSkyB|BSkyB]]|picformat=[[w:576i|576i]] ([[w:SDTV|SDTV]])|sisters=Sky1, Sky2, Sky1 HD|website=|countries={{flag|UK}} <br/> {{flag|IRL}}|channels='''[[w:Freeview (UK)|Freeview]]''' Channel 11<br/> '''[[w:Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)|Sky Digital]]''' Channel 108 (later 223)}}

'''Sky3''' (originally '''Sky Three''', later '''Sky 3''') was a free-to-air entertainment channel operated by [[w:BSkyB|BSkyB]] in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland. The channel served as a showcase for programming from Sky's premium channels, particularly [[Sky1]], making selected content available to viewers without a Sky subscription.

== History ==

=== Launch and Purpose ===
Sky Three launched on 31 October 2005, replacing Sky Travel's EPG slot on Freeview in a bid to attract more subscribers to Sky's satellite service.<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix">{{cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sky3|title=Sky Mix|publisher=Wikipedia|accessdate=2024}}</ref> It was the first free-to-air general entertainment channel from Sky since Sky One became a pay channel in 1993.<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix" />

The channel was essentially a barker channel for Sky's main entertainment channel Sky One and its other subscription services, designed to "offer digital terrestrial viewers the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of popular programmes from Sky."<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix" /> Due to its wider availability on Freeview channel 11, the channel constantly had higher ratings than Sky Two, achieving on average a 1% share compared to Sky Two's 0.1–3% share.<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix" />

=== Name Changes ===
In 2008, Sky's channels got another new look, and the channels were referred to as "Sky1", "Sky2" and "Sky3".<ref name="everybodywiki_sky_idents">{{cite web|url=https://en.everybodywiki.com/History_of_Sky_television_idents|title=History of Sky television idents|publisher=EverybodyWiki|accessdate=2024}}</ref> In 2008, Sky's entertainment channels changed the wording in the logos to numbers, hence Sky Three became Sky 3.<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix" />

A final rebrand took place in early 2011 and saw Sky 1, 2 and 3 gain similar rectangular logos to Sky News and Sky Sports. On 1 February 2011, Sky Atlantic launched on Sky channel 108, which had originally been occupied by Sky 3.<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix" /> Sky 3 was renamed Pick TV on 1 March 2011, to disassociate the channel with Sky as it began to air more programmes from the former Channel One and Bravo.<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix" />

== ''Battlestar Galactica'' on Sky3 ==
''[[Battlestar Galactica (TRS)|Battlestar Galactica]]'' embarked on its first free-to-view TV transmission in the UK when Sky Three began airing the show's first season on Thursday, 22 June 2006. The channel broadcast the opening episodes "[[33]]" and "[[Water]]" back-to-back.<ref name="bsg_mag_7_sky3_freeview_p11">{{cite magazine|magazine=Battlestar Galactica: The Official Magazine|issue=7|pages=11|date=October/November 2006|publisher=[[Titan Magazines]]|title=Free For All}}</ref>

''Battlestar Galactica'''s free-to-view UK debut was widely welcomed by critics, with the leading British TV listing magazine ''Radio Times'' hailing the show "a dazzling wagon-trains-in-space opera."<ref name="bsg_mag_7_sky3_freeview_p11" />

The free-to-air broadcast represented a significant expansion of the show's UK audience, as it had previously been available only to Sky1 subscribers. The channel showed the free-to-air premieres of some of Sky One's more prestigious shows, such as series 3 and 4 of ''24'', ''Rescue Me'', ''The 10th Kingdom'', ''Hex'', and the latest remake of ''Battlestar Galactica''.<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix" />

== Programming ==
Early highlights from the channel's schedule included ''Futurama'', ''Cold Case'', ''Tru Calling'', ''Relic Hunter'', ''Road Wars'', the Inside strand of documentaries, ''Brainiac: Science Abuse'', ''Airline'', and 35mm from Sky Movies (which looked at upcoming films in the cinema and on Sky's premium movies service Sky Movies) and ''Dream Team''.<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix" />

The channel also showed series 3 and 4 of ''Prison Break'' in 2010, ''Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' and ''Star Trek: The Next Generation''.<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix" />

== Technical Details ==
On 23 August 2010, Sky Sports News became a pay-TV channel, which was replaced on Freeview by a one-hour timeshift version of Sky 3. Sky 3 +1 also launched on Sky channel 223 on the same day.<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix" />

== Legacy ==
Instead of Sky selling on the terrestrial free-to-air rights for their programmes to another broadcaster, these rights were usually retained to remain exclusive to Sky through Sky3.<ref name="wikipedia_sky_mix" /> This strategy allowed Sky to maintain control over its premium content while using it as a marketing tool to attract new subscribers to its paid satellite service.

The channel's rebrand to Pick TV in 2011 marked the end of the Sky3 brand, though the channel continued broadcasting under different ownership and branding, eventually becoming Pick in 2013 and Sky Mix in 2023.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==

* [http://www.sky.com/ Sky Homepage]