Exclusive: Sky confirms movie channel changes

Sky has confirmed a number of changes to its movie channel lineup.

In a post on the Digital Spy Sky forum, the broadcaster announced that the transmission hours of Sky Sci-Fi/Horror, Sky Indie, Sky Premiere and Sky Premiere +1 will be extended next month. From June 2, the channels will commence transmission at 10am (11am for Sky Premiere +1).

From May 31, Sky Movies will launch two channels replicating the output of Sky Movies HD1 and HD2 in standard definition. Sky's statement said: "These channels will bring you a mix of the best movies across all genres replicating the existing Sky HD channels in standard definition. This will give Sky Movies standard definition customers access to the same titles as Sky Movies HD customers. If you are subscribed to Pack 1, you will receive Sky Movies SD1; while Pack 2 customers will receive Sky Movies SD2."

The SD1 and SD2 launches come as Sky announced that it had struck a content deal with Warner Bros. for more HD content.

"We are in the enviable position of having deals in place with every major Hollywood Studio, and would like to stress, once again, that there has been no reduction in the number of titles available to customers since the changes were implemented," the Sky Movies team said.