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Sky Mix
Sky Mix
from Wikipedia

Sky Mix (formerly Pick) is a British free-to-air television channel, owned by Sky UK. The channel originally launched on 31 October 2005 as Sky Three.

Key Information

The channel's current name, which was adopted in 2023, is the second time that the "Sky Mix" brand has been used. Sky Replay was originally known as 'Sky One Mix', and previously known as 'Sky Mix' from 2004 to 2005.

History

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As Sky Three

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Sky Three was the first free-to-air general entertainment channel from Sky since Sky One became a pay channel in 1993. It launched on 31 October 2005, replacing the Sky Travel's EPG slot on Freeview in a bid to attract more subscribers to Sky's satellite service. It was essentially a barker channel for Sky's main entertainment channel Sky One and its other subscription services, which served to "offer digital terrestrial viewers the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of popular programmes from Sky". From its launch on until 24 June 2010, the channel carried Sky Travel's commercial presentations selling holiday deals for a number of providers.[1]

Due to its wider availability on Freeview channel 11, the channel constantly had higher ratings than Sky Two. Sky Three was achieving on average a 1% share compared to Sky Two's 0.1–3% share. Instead of Sky selling on the terrestrial free-to-air rights for their programmes to another broadcaster, these rights are usually retained to remain exclusive to Sky.[citation needed]

In 2008, Sky's entertainment channels changed the wording in the logos to numbers, hence Sky Three became Sky 3.[citation needed]

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 looks at upcoming films in the cinema and on Sky's premium movies service Sky Movies) and Dream Team.[citation needed] The channel has also shown 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.[citation needed] The channel also showed series 3 and 4 of Prison Break in 2010, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Star Trek: The Next Generation.[citation needed]

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.[2] Sky 3 +1 also launched on Sky channel 223 on the same day.

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.[citation needed]

On 1 February 2011, Sky Atlantic launched on Sky channel 108, which had originally been occupied by Sky 3.[3]

As Pick TV

[edit]

On 1 March 2011, Sky 3 changed its name to Pick TV to disassociate the channel with Sky as it began to air more programmes from the former Channel One and Bravo.[4][5] Initially, the channel retained the look of the most recent rebrand which occurred a few weeks earlier.[citation needed]

Since its rebrand, recent Sky One shows (such as UK Border Force, Pineapple Dance Studios) and documentary series hosted by Ross Kemp (such as On Gangs and In Search of Pirates) were shown.[citation needed]

Sky's 2010 acquisition of Challenge from Living TV Group saw game shows and quiz-type programming move out of Pick TV.[citation needed] Nonetheless, it became fairly common for Pick and Challenge to cross-promote its programmes to viewers. These include regular trailers in between shows, and when a certain show finishes, the continuity announcer will usually tell viewers what is coming up next on both channels.[citation needed]

On 20 September 2011 at 14:00, Pick TV +1 was removed from Freeview.[6] This was so that all of the channels owned by BSkyB could be on multiplex C and Challenge could broadcast for 24 hours a day in Wales on the platform, in-line with the rest of the UK.[citation needed]

In May 2012, Pick TV started broadcasting some older Sky One and Sky Living shows, and the former Channel One and Bravo shows.[citation needed]

On Monday 7 October 2013, "TV" was dropped from the channel's name; becoming known as simply Pick. The channel would also introduce a new look and logo.[citation needed] On 28 June 2016, another new logo was announced which also included a brand new look.[citation needed]

On 1 March 2018, Pick +1 was added back on Freeview as a FreeviewHD service. A while later the channel moved from channel 97 to 92 on Freeview.[citation needed]

On 18 June 2020, Pick +1 was removed from Freeview channel 92.[7] Between June and July 2020, when the Premier League resumed after lockdown, all of the remaining matches were televised due to fans not being allowed in the stadiums. Twenty-five of these matches were televised on Pick.[8]

In its later years, the channel had an increased focus on airing Sky Showcase (Sky One's successor channel, which launched in 2021) and Sky Witness programmes 12–18 months after their original broadcasts, and as well as content tailored towards Pick.[citation needed]

As Sky Mix

[edit]

On 3 October 2023, it was announced that Pick will rebrand on 18 October 2023 as Sky Mix.[9] This relaunch will see the channel return to its original Freeview channel number on channel 11, and it will notably be airing the first series of the HBO drama True Detective.[10][11]

In 2024, a Sky Kids–branded programming strand launched on Sky Mix; airing on weekends from 8 am to 9 am.[citation needed]

Pick Paranormal

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In 2024, Sky launched six New FAST Channels for Sky Glass and Sky Stream,[12] one called Emergency 24/7, four with Sky branding and the last one using the Pick name. Pick Paranormal is a channel, which has also been added to the Samsung TV Plus channel list,[13] featuring Most Haunted[14] and programmes of a similar nature.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Sky Mix is a British free-to-air owned by , a subsidiary of , that broadcasts a diverse range of content including Sky Original dramas, documentaries, films, and reality series to audiences via Freeview and other digital platforms. Positioned on Freeview channel 11, it serves as a showcase for premium Sky programming accessible without subscription, targeting a broad demographic with an average monthly reach of 14 million viewers as of , including 32% of adults aged 16-34 and 72% of ABC1 socioeconomic class. The channel traces its origins to October 31, 2005, when it launched as Sky Three, replacing on Freeview as BSkyB's first entertainment outlet to promote content from . On 28 February 2011, it was rebranded as Pick TV to emphasize a mix of unscripted and factual programming, operating under that name for over a decade. In a significant relaunch on October 18, 2023, Pick TV was rebranded as Sky Mix, returning to a Sky-branded identity and relocating to a prime electronic programme guide position to expand access to Sky's original productions for non-subscribers. Sky Mix features notable programs such as the comedy series Rob & Romesh Vs., crime dramas like True Detective and NCIS: Los Angeles, thrillers including SAS: Red Notice and Liverpool Narcos, and fantasy titles like A Discovery of Witches, blending scripted and real-life content to appeal to entertainment seekers. The channel's strategy focuses on bridging Sky's premium offerings with free platforms, enhancing advertiser access to a wide audience while maintaining a commitment to high-quality, original British and international programming.

Overview

Ownership and launch

Sky Mix is owned and operated by , a division of Limited, a British media and telecommunications company headquartered in . has been wholly owned by Corporation, an American multinational media conglomerate, since 2018. The channel launched on 18 October 2023 as a service targeted at broadening access to Sky's premium content for non-subscribers. It occupies Freeview channel 11, displacing to channel 36 in the electronic programme guide, and is also available on (channel 141) and (channel 135). The launch represented a strategic expansion of Sky's offerings, featuring a mix of Sky Original dramas, documentaries, entertainment shows, and films, with themed programming on weeknights. Prior to its debut, Sky Mix underwent free-to-air HD testing on satellite platforms, marking it as Sky's first permanent free-to-air channel in high definition on those services. The initiative was part of Sky's effort to enhance its presence on free platforms amid increasing competition in the UK television market.

Availability and technical details

Sky Mix is available across multiple platforms in the United Kingdom, primarily as a free-to-air channel targeting broad audiences through digital terrestrial, satellite, and cable services (as of November 2025). It launched in standard definition (SD) on Freeview at channel 11 following its rebrand in October 2023, providing access to over 18 million households without requiring a subscription. On satellite platforms, an HD version became available shortly after, enhancing viewing quality for compatible receivers. The channel's satellite transmission occurs on the Astra 2F satellite at 28.2°E orbital position, utilizing the beam for targeted coverage. Technical specifications include a of 12168 MHz with vertical polarization, a of 27500, (FEC) of 2/3, and modulation with 8PSK. The video is encoded in MPEG-4 format at resolution for HD broadcasts, accompanied by English audio tracks. This feed is , requiring no for reception on compatible satellite setups like . Availability varies by platform, with HD support on most except Freeview, where it remains SD-only due to capacity constraints on (DTT). A +1 hour service is offered on select platforms for flexible viewing. The channel is not currently available via IPTV streaming services like NOW, focusing instead on linear broadcast distribution.
PlatformChannel NumberFormatNotes
Freeview11SDDigital terrestrial; requires retune post-2023 rebrand.
Freesat141HDSatellite; +1 at 159. Launched October 2023.
Sky Q151HDSatellite/cable hybrid; free with basic subscription.
Sky Glass/Stream158HDIP-based; integrated with Sky ecosystem.
Virgin Media135HDCable; included in Mixit and higher packages.

History

As Sky Three (2005–2011)

Sky Three launched on 31 October 2005 as a free-to-air entertainment channel on the Freeview platform in the United Kingdom, replacing Sky Travel in that slot while continuing to broadcast on Sky's digital satellite service. Owned by British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB), the channel served as a promotional "shop window" for Sky's subscription services, offering non-subscribers access to select popular programs from Sky One and other Sky channels to entice viewers toward paid packages. It was positioned as the third in Sky's core entertainment lineup, complementing Sky One and the newly renamed Sky Two (formerly Sky Mix). The channel's programming emphasized a mix of imported and original content, including U.S. dramas such as 24, Prison Break, Tru Calling, and Oliver Beene, which were made available on Freeview for the first time, alongside repeats of Sky One staples like reality shows and comedies. From launch until 24 June 2010, Sky Three incorporated commercial presentations from Sky Travel, featuring holiday deals and travel promotions during ad breaks to generate additional revenue. Schedules also included a daily Sky News bulletin, typically from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., to provide current affairs coverage. This eclectic mix aimed to appeal to a broad audience, prioritizing entertainment that highlighted Sky's premium content without requiring a subscription. On 31 August 2008, Sky Three underwent a to Sky3 (stylized without spaces), aligning with similar updates to Sky1 and Sky2 as part of a unified visual refresh across the network. The new idents, directed by artist Jon Yeo, featured celebrity portraits in dynamic, abstract styles—such as actor for Sky3—to emphasize emotional and narrative themes, while programming continued to focus on repeats and imports like action series and reality formats. Following the cessation of Sky Travel ads in mid-2010, the channel shifted toward purer entertainment output. Sky3 was rebranded to Pick TV on 28 February 2011 to adopt a factual and reality-oriented slate.

As Pick (2011–2023)

On 28 February 2011, Sky 3 was rebranded as Pick TV, effective from 6:00 a.m., with the change occurring seamlessly during a commercial break without any special programming or announcements. The rebranding applied to both the main channel and its timeshift service, Pick TV +1, and was part of a broader reshuffle of Sky's free-to-air portfolio to better position its entertainment offerings alongside channels like Sky1, Sky Living, and the newly launched Sky Atlantic. This move aimed to distance the channel from the Sky branding on Freeview platforms, retaining only Sky News as the exception, while serving as a free-to-air showcase for Sky's subscription content. As part of the changes, Pick TV shifted to electronic programme guide position 152 on Sky's platform (from 108, which was taken by Sky Atlantic) and 11 on Freeview, with the +1 service moving to position 153 on Sky. Initially, Pick TV retained much of Sky 3's programming focus on general entertainment repeats from Sky1, including shows such as Are You Smarter Than a 10-Year-Old?, Road Wars, and Coach Trip. Over the following years, the channel solidified its role as a secondary outlet for Sky's acquired and commissioned content, airing delayed free-to-air versions of popular series to promote subscription services, with an emphasis on reality, factual, and light entertainment formats. In 2012, quiz and gameshow programming was largely transferred to the newly acquired Challenge channel, allowing Pick TV to concentrate more on narrative-driven repeats and acquisitions. Significant operational adjustments occurred in September 2011, when Pick TV +1 was removed from Freeview at 2:00 p.m. to free up capacity on multiplex C for expanded BSkyB services and 24-hour Challenge broadcasting in . The was reinstated on Freeview on 1 March 2018, reflecting ongoing tweaks to Sky's distribution strategy amid evolving platform demands. Throughout the , Pick TV maintained a consistent schedule of evergreen content, including reality series like and Border Security, which became staples in its daytime and evening lineups, while occasionally introducing thematic nights or promotional blocks for Sky's premium originals. By the early 2020s, Pick TV had evolved into a reliable for Sky's broader slate, but faced increasing in the free-to-air market. On 3 2023, Sky announced the channel's closure, stating it would relaunch as Sky Mix on 18 to offer a wider mix of premium content and better integrate with Sky's ecosystem. The final day of on 17 featured a handover loop promoting the rebrand, ending Pick TV's 12-year run at 11:00 a.m. the next day, after which Sky Mix assumed the channel slots. This transition marked the end of Pick TV's independent identity, aligning it more closely with Sky's unified branding efforts.

Rebrand to Sky Mix (2023–present)

In October 2023, Sky announced the rebranding of its entertainment channel to Sky Mix, aiming to integrate more premium Sky Original content into its broadcast lineup for broader accessibility. The rebrand took effect on 18 October 2023 at 11:00 a.m., marking the end of Pick's 12-year run and aligning the channel more closely with Sky's premium offerings while remaining available without subscription on platforms like Freeview. The new Sky Mix positioned itself as a "mix" of entertainment genres, featuring themed weeknight schedules focused on drama, true crime, and comedy, including Freeview premieres of Sky Original series such as , Rob & Romesh Vs., , and A League of Their Own: Road Trip. It also incorporated select films and shows previously exclusive to and , like the first season of HBO's , to provide non-subscribers with a sampler of Sky's high-profile programming. On Freeview, Sky Mix swapped positions with , moving to channel 11 (standard definition only), while becoming available in HD on , , and platforms. To accompany the launch, Sky introduced a refreshed visual identity, including three new idents depicting rotating windows that reveal aerial views of diverse landscapes, emphasizing the channel's eclectic content mix. Since the rebrand, Sky Mix has maintained its focus on accessible premium entertainment, with ongoing broadcasts of Sky Originals and acquired series like and FBI, continuing to serve as an entry point to Sky's ecosystem as of late 2025.

Programming

Current schedule and strands

Sky Mix's current schedule emphasizes a mix of factual reality programming during daytime hours, transitioning to science fiction in the late afternoon and evening, followed by crime dramas in prime time. On weekdays, the day typically begins around 6:00 AM with teleshopping, quickly shifting to law enforcement-themed documentaries such as Motorway Patrol and Border Patrol from 7:00 AM onward. This reality block dominates the morning and afternoon, featuring extended runs of Nothing to Declare from 8:00 AM to approximately 3:30 PM, interspersed with episodes of Highway Patrol. From 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the channel dedicates a science fiction strand to classic series, including Stargate Atlantis, Stargate SG-1, Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. This block provides a consistent themed viewing experience for fans of the genre. Prime time from 9:00 PM features procedural crime dramas, such as episodes of FBI and Grimm, extending into late night with additional reality content like Night Cops and Caught on Dashcam. Overnight hours revert to repeats of border and patrol shows. Weekends maintain a similar structure to weekdays, with reality programming in the morning and afternoon, followed by the strand in the late afternoon and evening, and crime dramas in , with potentially extended blocks of factual entertainment to fill the schedule.

Historical content focus

Sky Three, launched on 31 October as a channel on Freeview, initially focused on repeats of popular programming from and Sky Movies, supplemented by some original content to promote Sky's entertainment portfolio. This approach positioned the channel as an accessible entry point for non-subscribers, emphasizing general entertainment such as dramas, comedies, and films to build without heavy investment in new productions. Over time, Sky Three's schedule evolved to include more factual and lifestyle elements, reflecting Sky's broader strategy to diversify its free offerings amid growing competition from digital terrestrial services. The rebrand to Pick TV on 28 February 2011 marked a shift toward factual and programming, dropping the Sky branding to create a standalone portfolio alongside channels like and Eden. Pick's content centered on "authentic real-life" shows that captured everyday challenges and human interest stories, including acquisitions like (a series following auction bidders), (documenting bar turnarounds), and Road Wars (police pursuit footage). Other staples included (chronicling airport operations) and (on-the-road policing), which appealed to audiences seeking , high-stakes narratives. This focus on genres helped Pick achieve strong viewership in the market, with an average monthly reach of 14 million households between January and April 2019, while occasionally incorporating repeats from Sky's premium channels for crossover appeal. Upon rebranding to Sky Mix on 18 October 2023, the channel retained Pick's real-life content but expanded to integrate premium Sky Originals, creating a hybrid schedule of factual entertainment, dramas, documentaries, and films. This evolution aimed to deliver a "greater range" of content to Freeview viewers, blending established reality strands with high-profile acquisitions like (celebrity challenges) and (crime anthology), alongside Sky documentaries and movies. The change reflected Sky's strategy to leverage its subscription library for broader accessibility, prioritizing conceptual themes of discovery and human drama over exhaustive repeats, while maintaining the channel's core appeal to 14 million monthly viewers.

Pick Paranormal

Pick Paranormal is a British free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel operated by , specializing in investigation and paranormal-themed programming. Launched as part of Sky's expansion into FAST services, the channel draws from the broadcaster's extensive archive to offer content focused on , hauntings, and unexplained phenomena. The channel debuted on 30 July 2024, alongside five other FAST channels, providing Sky Glass and Sky Stream customers with free access to ad-supported content without additional subscription costs. Its flagship program is , a long-running series that explores allegedly haunted locations across the and beyond, featuring investigations led by parapsychologist and a team of experts. Other content includes similar documentaries and shows, emphasizing eerie encounters and phenomena to appeal to enthusiasts of the genre. Initially positioned as a dedicated paranormal outlet under the Pick branding—stemming from Sky Mix's predecessor, — the channel was made available exclusively through Sky's streaming platforms in the UK, with episodes airing in a looped schedule to maximize accessibility. It was also integrated into , broadening its reach to users beyond Sky subscribers. This launch reflected Sky's strategy to repurpose legacy content for the growing FAST market, capitalizing on the enduring popularity of entertainment. (Note: Used for historical context on Most Haunted only, not channel details) By mid-2025, underwent a to simply "Pick" on Sky's (EPG position 1004), while retaining its core focus on paranormal programming. This change aligned with updates to Sky's FAST lineup, which expanded to include 11 channels by July 2025, but the service continued to feature and related titles without altering its supernatural theme. The rebrand aimed to streamline branding under the established Pick name, previously associated with general on linear TV.

Timeshift and FAST services

Sky Mix provides a timeshift service through its +1 channel, which airs the main channel's programming delayed by one hour to accommodate viewers who miss live broadcasts. This service, known as Sky Mix +1, is available on select platforms including , where it occupies channel 159. It enhances for audiences seeking flexible viewing options without subscription barriers on services. In addition to traditional broadcast timeshifting, Sky Mix extends its reach via (FAST) services. The channel launched on on November 20, 2023, offering a selection of Sky Originals, documentaries, and entertainment programming to users of compatible Samsung Smart TVs, tablets, and smartphones at no extra cost. This FAST integration, accessible via channel 4155 on the platform, broadens Sky Mix's audience beyond linear TV by delivering ad-funded content directly through integrated apps.

Branding

Logos and idents

Sky Mix has undergone several branding evolutions since its launch, with distinct logos and idents reflecting its shifting identity from general entertainment to a mix of premium Sky content. Initially launched as Sky Three on 31 October 2005, the channel adopted a logo featuring the word "Three" in a stylized, italicized font integrated with the Sky wordmark, rendered in pink to differentiate it from Sky One (blue) and Sky Two (green). The idents, created by Kaktus Films, were adaptations of the Sky One and Sky Two packages, featuring abstract animations such as underwater scenes or cosmic elements, with the pink Sky Three logo emerging at the center. On 15 February 2008, Sky Three introduced a temporary presentation refresh, maintaining the pink logo but updating the idents to a particle-themed sequence shared across Sky's entertainment channels, where pink gas-like particles formed the logo against dynamic backgrounds; this package was produced in-house by Sky Creative. A more significant rebrand followed on 31 August 2008, featuring new idents and a new logo design with a more angular, rectangular "Sky3" styling aligned with Sky's evolving visual identity, emphasizing a premium feel through metallic textures and glowing effects. These idents, directed by Jon Yeo and produced by , included celebrity sequences such as actor interacting with the logo elements to promote cross-channel content. The channel rebranded to on 28 February 2011, introducing a logo designed by Zehra Ali Faik consisting of the word "Pick" in a bold, font with a subtle upward slant, detached from the branding to appeal to audiences. The idents, created by Torquil Dearken, built on the 2008 particle theme but shifted to a color palette, showing animated particles assembling the logo amid swirling patterns, signaling a focus on "picking" popular archived shows. On 7 October 2013, simplified its logo by dropping "TV," using the same font but in a cleaner, . By 23 June 2016, agency MMMultiply unveiled a full rebrand, featuring a refreshed with "Pick" in a modern, lowercase italic font accented by a horizontal line, aiming for a more premium and accessible identity. The new idents depicted everyday objects "picking" themselves up and transforming into the , with vibrant colors and upbeat music to highlight the channel's eclectic programming mix. On 18 October 2023, rebranded to , reintegrating the wordmark alongside "Mix" in a lowercase, font with a fluid, wavy underline to evoke variety and dynamism. The launch idents, produced by Creative with by Box of Toys Audio, consist of three sequences showing rotating window frames that open to reveal aerial landscapes—such as urban skylines, coastal views, and rural vistas—before assembling into the logo, symbolizing a blend of premium originals and accessible . This package emphasizes high-production values, with smooth transitions and cinematic cinematography to align with 's broader brand refresh.

Rebranding events

In 2011, Sky rebranded its channel Sky Three as Pick TV as part of a strategy to distance non-subscription channels from the Sky brand on platforms like Freeview, aiming to avoid brand dilution in the advertising market. This move followed the channel's launch as Sky Three on 31 October 2005, which had introduced a companion service to Sky One and Sky Two with a focus on entertainment repeats and acquired programming. On 3 October 2023, Sky announced the rebranding of to , effective 18 October 2023, reviving a name previously used for a short-lived companion channel to from 2004 to 2005. The rebrand positioned on Freeview channel 11—a higher-profile slot previously held by —while relocating to channel 36, reflecting Sky's evolving approach to leverage its premium brand for promotion and ad revenue growth amid competitive pressures. The 2023 relaunch introduced new idents featuring rotating window motifs to symbolize a "mix" of content, aligning with 's visual identity across its portfolio. Programming shifted toward showcasing Sky Originals and recent acquisitions, such as season one of and episodes from , alongside documentaries and entertainment, to provide free access to premium titles while retaining some of Pick's lighter factual strands initially. and MD of Content Zai Bennett described the change as creating "the perfect home for us to showcase some of our favourite Sky shows," emphasizing its role in broadening audience reach. This reversed the de-branding , capitalizing on Sky's strengthened content slate post its 2018 Comcast acquisition to enhance visibility and monetization on linear TV. No further rebrands have occurred since the 2023 launch, though the channel continues to evolve its schedule to balance repeats with promotional premieres.

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