This Sky TV guide covers Sky’s entertainment channels as they stand in 2026: what each one shows, the channel numbers, which package you need, how to watch without a dish and what is on this week. The big change this year is that Sky One is back and two channels have gone.
Sky TV Guide 2026: Sky Atlantic, Sky One and More Channels
What changed on Sky in 2026?
Sky closed Sky Max and Sky Showcase on 24 February 2026. Sky One came back on channel 106 that day and took over their slots, so any guide that still lists Sky Max or Sky Showcase is out of date.
Sky One is the flagship entertainment channel again. Its launch line-up featured fan favourites such as Rob and Romesh Vs…, and Sky says Saturday Night Live UK goes out live on Saturday nights.
What does each Sky channel show?
- Sky Atlantic: Sky’s home for HBO series and prestige drama. It also shows Sky Originals such as War.
- Sky One: the flagship entertainment channel, back since February.
- Sky Witness: crime and drama.
- Sky Comedy: comedy, old and new.
- Sky Documentaries: factual films and music documentaries.
- Sky Nature, Sky History and Sky Crime: the factual and true-crime strands.
- Sky Arts: art, music, theatre and film documentaries. It has its own page, our Sky Arts TV guide.
- Sky Mix: a general channel of repeats, crime documentaries and films.
What are the Sky channel numbers?
Sky renumbered several channels when Sky One returned. These are the numbers reported at the time of the February changes. They differ by box, so treat them as a guide.
| Channel | Sky Q | Sky Glass and Stream |
|---|---|---|
| Sky One | 106 | 106 |
| Sky Comedy | 113 | 109 |
| Sky Documentaries | 114 | 110 |
| Sky Crime | 121 | 111 |
| Sky Arts | 122 | 112 |
We could not confirm current numbers for Sky Atlantic, Sky Witness, Sky Nature or Sky History. The quickest check is to say the channel name into the voice remote, or use the full list on Sky’s help pages for your platform.
Which Sky package do you need?
Sky sells two base packages. Both come on a 24-month term or a 31-day rolling plan.
- Sky Essential TV: 15 pounds a month on 24 months, or 18 pounds rolling. It includes Sky Atlantic, Netflix with ads and discovery+, plus over 100 more channels.
- Sky Ultimate TV: 24 pounds a month on 24 months, or 30 pounds rolling. It adds Disney+ with ads and HBO Max Basic with ads. Sky lists Sky One, Sky Documentaries, Sky Comedy, Sky Nature and Sky Witness among its extra channels.
Prices are for new customers and can change during the term. Sky’s package comparison page does not say which tier holds Sky History or Sky Crime, so check before you sign up. Our Freeview vs Sky vs Virgin comparison sets the costs side by side.
Can you watch Sky without a dish?
Yes. Sky Glass and Sky Stream use your broadband instead. Sky Glass is a TV with Sky built in; Sky Stream is a small box that plugs into any TV.
NOW needs no box at all. Its help page lists Entertainment Membership at 7.99 pounds a month, with Sky One, Sky Atlantic, Sky Arts and MTV among the live channels. Entertainment with HBO Max is 9.99 pounds a month. Live channels carry ads on every plan, and you can cancel a rolling plan at any time.
Sky’s sport and films are separate. Our Sky Sports TV guide covers the sport channels and the Sky Cinema TV guide covers films.
Which Sky channels can you watch free?
Two Sky-owned channels are on Freeview with no subscription: Sky Mix on channel 11 and Sky Arts on channel 36. Our Freeview channel guide has the full list.
Sky TV guide: what’s on this week
Times are UK time. The Sky Arts and Sky Mix slots come from the Freeview listings. The rest come from Sky and our daily guides.
- Thursday 29 October, Sky Arts: Classic Movies: The Story of Dead of Night at 8pm, then The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Strange Journey at 9pm.
- Friday 30 October, Sky Atlantic: War at 9pm, the weekly legal drama with Sienna Miller and Dominic West.
- Saturday 31 October, Sky Atlantic: the eight-part thriller Yaga, based on the Baba Yaga myth, with three episodes at 9pm, 9.45pm and 10.20pm.
- Saturday 31 October, Sky Documentaries: Boorman and the Devil at 8pm.
- Saturday 31 October, Sky Arts: John Carpenter: The Directors at 8pm, then The Fog at 9pm.
- Sunday 1 November, Sky Documentaries: Boyzone: One for the Road at 8pm, then Boyzone: The Final Concert at 9pm.
- Sunday 1 November, Sky Arts: Jerry Lee Lewis and Friends at 8pm, then I Am Patrick Swayze at 9.20pm.
- Monday 2 November, Sky Atlantic: series four of The Gilded Age at 9pm.
- Wednesday 4 November, Sky One: the last episode of Rob and Romesh vs Bowling at 9pm.
- Wednesday 4 November, Sky Arts: a new Portrait Artist of the Year at 8pm, then Matisse: The Last Masterpiece at 9pm.
- Friday 6 November, Sky Atlantic: War at 9pm.
On Sky Mix, Star Trek: The Next Generation was at 7pm and Hawaii Five-0 at 8pm on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October. Our what’s on TV tonight page has the full evening.
What’s coming up on Sky?
War is an eight-episode first series that began on 2 October 2026, and Sky and HBO have already ordered a second. The Gilded Age series four started on 2 November, in line with the US.
Dates for other big Sky Original dramas in November and December 2026 are not confirmed yet. Sky says Heated Rivalry returns for a second season in 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Which Sky channels did Sky close in 2026?
Sky Max and Sky Showcase both closed on 24 February 2026. Sky One came back on channel 106 the same day and took over from them.
Is Sky Atlantic included in the cheapest Sky TV package?
Yes. Sky lists Sky Atlantic in both Sky Essential TV and Sky Ultimate TV. Most of the other Sky entertainment channels, including Sky One, Sky Witness, Sky Comedy, Sky Documentaries and Sky Nature, are listed under Ultimate.
Can I watch Sky entertainment channels without a satellite dish?
Yes. Sky Glass and Sky Stream deliver the channels over broadband, and NOW streams them to phones, tablets, smart TVs and sticks. Neither needs a dish.
How much is NOW Entertainment Membership?
NOW’s help page lists Entertainment at 7.99 pounds a month and Entertainment with HBO Max at 9.99 pounds a month. Monthly plans can be cancelled at any time, and cheaper minimum-term Monthly Saver plans also exist. NOW changes its offers often, so check the price at sign-up.
Which Sky channels are free on Freeview?
Sky Mix is on Freeview channel 11 and Sky Arts is on channel 36, both free with no Sky subscription. The rest of the Sky entertainment channels need a Sky or NOW plan.
What channel is Sky Atlantic on?
We could not confirm a current number. Sky reshuffled several channel numbers in 2026 and the numbers differ by box. Say the channel name into your Sky remote or check the on-screen guide.
When does The Gilded Age series four start in the UK?
Series four started on Sky Atlantic on 2 November 2026, with the episodes also on NOW. Our guide listed it at 9pm that night.
When is the next episode of War on Sky Atlantic?
War began on Sky Atlantic and NOW on 2 October 2026 as an eight-episode first series with a weekly release. Our guide lists it at 9pm on Fridays, including 30 October and 6 November.
Last checked: 29 October 2026.
