Sky buys EPG slot for Sky Arts

Sky has paid an undisclosed sum for a slot on its own electronic programme guide.

The company today confirmed it had bought channel 270, previously occupied by the Performance Channel, and that it would soon be launching a one-hour timeshift of its own "highbrow" service, Sky Arts.

The broadcaster said it could not yet confirm how the three Arts channels would be arranged or when changes would be made. Presently Sky Arts sits at 267, Sky Arts HD at 268, UKTV Style 2 at 269 and, though it is no longer operating, Performance at 270.

Media firm Eicom bought the Performance Channel in 2005 and later launched rock-themed Performance MainStreet, which is still on air. However, it has recently announced plans to make acquisitions and move into music sales and promotion. Performance, having broadcast since 1985, was the longest running channel in its genre.

A Sky spokesman said: "Sky Arts is a unique channel on UK television and we’re adding a third EPG slot because we want to make it easier for our viewers to enjoy a great choice of programmes about all areas of the arts.

"The launch of a +1 channel is the latest chapter in the Sky Arts story, adding to our HD channel, launched two years ago, and the Sky Arts website, which went live last year. We offer arts-related programmes 18 hours a day, seven days a week – that’s more than the five terrestrial channels broadcast in a month."