Sky Movies has announced that a new Showcase channel will soon replace Screen 1 as part of planned changes to its channel lineup.

Launching on March 26, Sky Movies Showcase/HD will carry box sets, collections and seasons, starting with The Mummy Weekend featuring all three movies in the series.

Over the course of 2010, the channel will carry various other seasons showcasing a genre, director or star, including a Tim Burton weekend, Canine Capers and Need For Speed – The Ultimate Car, all in HD.

Sky Movies also plans to reshuffle its bouquet of ten channels to achieve greater “clarity” for subscribers.

The changes include
Sky Movies Action & Thriller becoming Sky Movies Action & Adventure/HD
Sky Movies Drama will change to Sky Movies Drama & Romance/HD
and Sky Movies Screen 2 will be rebranded as Sky Movies Crime & Thriller/HD.

“Not content to simply offer the widest choice of films on UK television, Sky Movies is dedicated to bringing the best movie content to its customers in a way which is at once accessible and entertaining,” said Sky Movies director Ian Lewis.

“With the introduction of the new channel lineup, not only can film fans find and enjoy their favourites with ease but also enjoy a range of fantastic seasons, specials and collections on Sky Movies Showcase HD.”