Sky Multichannels


Sky Multichannels, also known as Sky Analogue was a package of analogue television channels offered by BSkyB on the Astra satellites at 19.2° east. from 1 September 1993 to 27 September 2001, which started off with 15 channels before expanding to over 40.

History

The service started on 1 September 1993 based on the idea from the then chief executive officer, Sam Chisholm and Rupert Murdoch, of
converting the company business strategy to an entirely fee-based concept. The new package included four channels formerly available free-to-air, broadcasting on Astra's satellites, as well as introducing new channels. The service continued until the closure of BSkyB's analogue service on 27 September 2001, due to the expansion of the Sky Digital platform after its launch three years ago on 1 October 1998. Some of the channels did broadcast either in the clear or soft encrypted prior to their addition to the Sky Multichannels package.
Within two months of the launch, Sky gained 400,000 new subscribers, with the majority taking at least one premium channel, which helped BSkyB reach 3.5 million households by mid-1994.
Some channels were not launched on 1 September 1993, but were added later; including QVC which launched on 1 October 1993, and VH1 which launched on 1 October 1994. When VH1 Germany launched in 1995, VideoCrypt decoders would blank out the channel to UK viewers and prevent them from watching the German channel free. Nick at Nite, although part of the original Multichannels plan, did not launch. Sky Soap and Sky Travel also launched on 3 October 1994 as part of the package. The launch of Astra 1D allowed Sky to expand the multichannels package further, including the launch of Sky's pay-per-view Box Office channels in January 1997.
Sky News and CNBC Europe were also part of the Sky Multichannels package but remained free-to-air. QVC however, which launched as part of the Multichannels package, switched to free-to-view broadcasting in 1995.
Channels which joined the Sky Multichannels package were paid a fee of 15 pence per subscriber per month. A European Multichannels package run by BSkyB also using the VideoCrypt encryption system was planned to be launched soon afterwards, but did not come to fruition. A European package of channels called MultiChoice Kaleidoscope launched on 1 November 1993 using VideoCrypt 2 encryption. The Multichoice service was run by South African based Network Holdings, separate from BSkyB. The Multichoice service initially included Filmnet and The Adult Channel as premium channels and The Children's Channel, Discovery, MTV, CMT Europe and QVC as basic channels.

Promotion

British Sky Broadcasting ran television advertisements prior to the new service launching. However, in 1993, the Independent Television Commission ruled against BSkyB after ten complaints regarding a number of false claims involving some of the channels which were due to be part of the package as well as further complaints about the adverts failing to show that a one-year contract needed to be taken out for any special introductory offer.
In conjunction with the launch of the Multichannels package, all Sky networks adopted a cohesive graphical and music appearance. Idents for all networks featured the Sky logo's newly-added "ring" forming out of swirling energy streaks while the text formed out of glass copies. The graphics were produced by American graphical firm Novocom, the look for Sky News resembling their earlier work for the CBS Evening News from 1991. A new music package from American composer Frank Gari, dubbed the Sky Symphony, was also used, with differing arrangements per channel. The full package was used in promotional spots for what was termed "the brand-new Sky" and during periods where Sky channels were off the air.
To promote the Sky Multichannels package on the Astra satellites, a selection of channels was placed on Sky's preview channel on transponder 47 of Astra 1C in the clear. The preview channel comprised promotional material in the centre of the screen and 12 channels around the edge, including some English channels which were not part of the package. The channel was replaced by Sky Sports 2 on 19 August 1994.
During sports programming on Sky One, prior to the launch of Sky Sports 2, channels which were part of the Sky Multichannels package were made available free-to-view, to allow sports subscribers who did not take up the Multichannels package to watch sports coverage, but it was also used to promote the package to viewers who had not signed up to the Multichannels package.

Satellites

Sky Multichannels utilized space on the Astra 1A, Astra 1B, Astra 1C and Astra 1D satellites.

1993 channel list

The original subscription charge was £6.99 a month at launch, although those who signed up before 1 September 1993 could get the channels for the discounted price of £3.99 a month until the start of 1994.
Additional packages including the multiple channels alongside one or more of Sky's premium channels were available from £11.99 to £19.99.
The channels were encrypted using NDS Group's VideoCrypt system, and required a monthly subscription payment, VideoCrypt decoder and valid viewing card to receive the channels.
Channel nameEncryption status Genre Notes
Sky Oneencrypted using VideoCryptGeneral entertainment20 hours
Sky NewsFree-to-airNews24 hours
UK Livingencrypted using VideoCryptGeneral entertainment for women7am till 1am, part owned by Flextech
Nickelodeonencrypted using VideoCryptChildren's programming07:00 - 19:00
Bravoencrypted using VideoCryptClassic TV and moviesMidday to midnight Sharing with CNBC and The Adult Channel
CMT Europeencrypted using VideoCryptCountry music videos06:00 - 16:00, time-shared with Discovery Channel.
Discovery Channelencrypted using VideoCryptDocumentaries16:00 - 06:00, time-shared with CMT Europe.
UK Goldencrypted using VideoCryptUK's classic programming
The Children's Channelencrypted using VideoCryptChildren's programming06:00 - 17:00, time-shared with The Family Channel.
The Family Channelencrypted using VideoCryptGeneral Entertainment17:00 - 05:00, time-shared with The Children's Channel
QVCFree-to-view encrypted using VideoCryptShoppingLaunched on 1 October 1993.
MTV EuropeFree-to-airMusic videosMTV did not encrypt at the time Sky Multichannels launched, but did so on 3 July 1995. The channel was encrypted with VideoCrypt 1 for UK viewers and in VideoCrypt 2 for European viewers.
VH1encrypted using VideoCryptMusic videos aimed towards middle-agersLaunched on 1 October 1994, but was promoted from the start
Sky Soapencrypted using VideoCryptSoap programs08:00 - 11:00, time-shared with Sky Travel, but was promoted from the start
Sky Travelencrypted using VideoCryptTravel programs11:00 - 08:00, time-shared with Sky Soap, but was promoted from the start

1995 channel list

In 1995 the number of Sky customers exceeded 5 million. Sky Sports 2, Sky Soap, and Sky Travel which launched on 3 October 1994, joined the package.
The launch of Astra 1D allowed Sky to expand the multichannels package further,
with Sci Fi Channel, History Channel, and Paramount Channel, by November 1995. QVC however, which launched as part of the Multichannels package, switched to free-to-view broadcasting in 1995.
Channel numberChannel nameEncryption statusGenre Notes
1Sky Oneencrypted using VideoCryptGeneral entertainment24 hours
6UK Livingencrypted using VideoCryptGeneral entertainment for women06.00-00.00
7Nickelodeonencrypted using VideoCryptChildren's programming07:00 - 19:00
7The Paramount ChannelNew channel, encrypted using VideoCryptComedy and DramaLaunched 1 November 1995: 19:00 - 04:00, timeshared with Nickelodeon.
8TLC UKNew channel, encrypted using VideoCryptDocumentaries09:00 - 16:00
8Discovery Channelencrypted using VideoCryptDocumentaries16:00 - 06:00
9UK Goldencrypted using VideoCryptClassic Programming
10The Children's Channelencrypted using VideoCryptChildren's programming06:00 - 17:00, time-shared with The Family Channel.
10The Family Channelencrypted using VideoCryptGeneral entertainment17:00 - 00:00, time-shared with The Children's Channel.
11Sky TravelNew channel, encrypted using VideoCryptTravel programmingLaunched 3 October 94: 06.00-12.00 weekday
11Sky SoapNew channel, encrypted using VideoCryptSoap operasLaunched 3 October 94: 12.00-16.00 weekday
11History ChannelNewHistoryLaunched 11 November 1995: 16.00-20.00
11Sci Fi ChannelNewEntertainment with a sci-fi themeLaunched 1 October 1995: 20.00-04.00
12QVCFree-to-view encrypted using VideoCryptShoppingLaunched on 1 October 1993, but was promoted from the start.
13European Business NewsNew channel, encrypted using VideoCryptBusiness and news06.00 - midday sharing with Bravo and The Adult Channel
13Bravoencrypted using VideoCryptClassic TV and moviesMidday to midnight
14CMT Europeencrypted using VideoCryptCountry music videos06:00 - 19:00, time-shared with JSTV
15MTV EuropeFree-to-airMusic videosMTV did not encrypt at the time Sky Multichannels launched, but did so on 3 July 1995. The channel was encrypted with VideoCrypt 1 for UK viewers, and in VideoCrypt 2 for European viewers.
16VH1New channel, encrypted using VideoCryptMusic videos aimed towards middle-agersLaunched on 1 October 1994, but was promoted from the start

In 1996, Sky reached 6 million subscribers. Launch of a further six channels including Sky Sports 3 and extended its Premier league rights
Further details can be seen here: https://web.archive.org/web/19961114121936/http://www.satcodx.com/astra.html and https://web.archive.org/web/20110524023135/http://reocities.com/Heartland/4407/uksw.htm
Channel numberChannel nameEncryption statusGenre Notes
1Sky Oneencrypted using VideoCryptGeneral Entertainment
6UK Livingencrypted using VideoCryptGeneral Entertainment for womenPart owned by Flextech
7Nickelodeonencrypted using VideoCryptChildren's programming07:00 - 19:00,
7The Paramount Channelencrypted using VideoCryptComedy and Drama19:00 - 04:00, timeshared with Nickelodeon.
8European Business Newsencrypted using VideoCryptBusiness and news07.00 - 12.00
8Troubleencrypted using VideoCryptTeenagers12.00 - 20.00,
8Bravoencrypted using VideoCryptClassic TV and movies 20.00-07.00
9UK Goldencrypted using VideoCryptClassic Programming
10The Children's Channelencrypted using VideoCryptChildren's programming06:00 - 17:00, time-shared with The Family Channel.
10The Family Channelencrypted using VideoCryptGeneral Entertainment17:00 - 00:00, timeshared with The Children's Channel.
11Sky Travelencrypted using VideoCryptTravel programming07.00-12.00 - weekday
11Sky Soapencrypted using VideoCryptSoap operas12.00-16.00 - weekday
11History Channelencrypted using VideoCryptHistory16.00-20.00 - weekday
11Sci Fi Channelencrypted using VideoCryptEntertainmentMon-Wed 20.00-04.00. Thurs-Sun 01.00-04.00
12QVCFree-to-view encrypted using VideoCryptShoppingLaunched on 1 October 1993, but was promoted from the start.
13TLC UKencrypted using VideoCryptDocumentaries09:00-16:00,
13Discovery Channelencrypted using VideoCryptDocumentaries16.00-02:00,
13HSN Directencrypted using VideoCryptShopping02:00-09.00
14Fox KidsNew channel, encrypted using VideoCryptCartoons06.00 - 19.00, sharing with Sky 2.
14Sky 2New channel, encrypted using VideoCryptGeneral entertainment19.00 - 06.00. Sky Two began broadcasting on 1 September 1996 at 7pm
15MTV Europeencrypted using VideoCryptMusic videos
16VH1encrypted using VideoCryptMusic videos aimed towards middle-agers
20Granada PlusNew channel, encrypted using VideoCryptClassic TV06.00 - 23.00, sharing with Granada Men & Motors
20Granada Men & MotorsNew channel, encrypted using VideoCryptSports and cult TV aimed at men23.00-02.00, sharing with Granada Plus
21Granada Good LifeNew channel, encrypted using VideoCryptLifestyle programming aimed at women06.00 - 18.00,
21Computer ChannelNew channel, encrypted using VideoCryptProgramming about computing18.00-20.00
22Granada Talk TVNew channel, encrypted using VideoCryptTalk and phone-in programming06.00-18.00,
22Sky ScottishNew channel, encrypted using VideoCryptScottish programmes18.00-20.00
23Sky Movies GoldPremium channelClassic movies17.00-05.00
25CMT Europeencrypted using VideoCryptCountry music videos24 hours

1997

During 1997: Same as above but:
The Subscription Costs, July 1997
Due to the growth of digital television and the Sky Digital platform, alongside greater choice of channels and the removal of channels having to timeshare due to bandwidth constraints, BSkyB soon announced that its analogue service would cease transmittion for good with all channels in the Multichannels package closing down by 2001. BSkyB started to cease analogue with TV Travel Shop becoming exclusive to digital in late 1999. It then continued into February 2000 with many of the channels on Astra 1D being discontinued. In May 2001, it was announced that due to the possibility of lost revenue from the existing 242,000 analogue subscribers, the closure of the remaining analogue would be delayed until September 2001 from its original plan of June. BSkyB closed down the last remaining channel in the Multichannels package, Sky One on September 27, 2001.