Sky Arts, the UK’s only channel dedicated to arts and culture, has announced four new Sky original
programme commissions today, as it becomes free for everyone to watch.
With a renewed focus on bringing more of the arts to more people, Sky Arts is embarking on an
ambitious programme of activity to support and champion the arts at a vital time for the cultural
sector – putting artists, creatives, and public participation centre stage on a channel that everyone
across the UK can watch.
The new Sky original commissions announced today include:
• BOYS: Ashley Walters makes his directorial debut in a short film written by newcomer
Jerome Holder. Set in East London, two best friends fulfil a promise made to one’solder
brother, embarking on a journey that will shape them and the men they will become.
• Offended by Irvine Welsh: Irvine Welsh explores the nature of offence and its impact. Does
the fear of offence and cancel culture affect artists’ creative risk taking? He sets out to
reclaim the right to offend – but not abuse – as an essential tool for artists.
• Sky Arts Book Club Live: A glass of wine, a few tasty morsels, and a good read. Sky Arts
recreates all the joys of a book club as hosts Andi Oliver and Elizabeth Day invite four
members of an existing club to chat about new releases, favourite classics and hear directly
from different guest authors each episode. The show will air live on Sky Arts and the @SkyTV
Facebook page giving people at home the unique opportunity to be part of the club.
• Charles Hazlewood: Beethoven and Me: marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of
Ludwig Van Beethoven, Charles Hazlewood explores the life of the great composer, taking a
personal and unique perspective on this troubled genius and a detailed look at his famous
5th symphony masterpiece.
Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts, said: “We are excited to announce four new programmes
today which all speak to our mission to broaden access to the arts – whether that’s a thought provoking
examination of the boundaries of art, looking at Beethoven from a fresh angle, giving a major talent
their directorial debut, or a couple of hours looking at the next great book. There’s something on our
newly free channel for everyone to enjoy!”
Sky Arts is now available to watch on Freeview and Freesat on channel numbers 11 and 147. Fans of
the popular entertainment channel Pick will be able to find it at its new home on channel number
34.
In addition to a slate of new programme commissions, the move to become free-to-air includes
increased and deepened partnerships with artists and arts organisations, providing them with a
platform to create and showcase their work. And to support new talent, the channel will launch a
series of bursaries worth £30,000 each, that will see leading figures from the arts support and
mentor diverse and emerging new artists
Art and culture lovers will be able to enjoy a diverse range of programmes celebrating music, culture
and performance, with the following key programmes due to air in the days and weeks following Sky
Arts’ free-to-air debut, Sky Arts Late, Brian Johnson Meets Dave Grohl, Guy Garvey: From the
Vaults, Urban Myths, Danny Dyer on Harold Pinter, Life and Rhymes, No Masks, Portrait Artist
of the Year & Portrait Artist of the Week, The South Bank Show, Boswell & Johnson’s Scottish
Road Trip with Frank Skinner and Denise Mina and many more.
Sky Arts unveils raft of new original commissions as channel goes free to air.
