Sky’s Pick Channel Closing Tomorrow

Sky’s long-running free-to-air television channel Pick is set to close tomorrow as part of a major rebrand and restructuring of Sky’s free television services.

From Wednesday 18th October 2023, Pick will officially be replaced by a new channel called Sky Mix.

The change will affect viewers using:

• Sky receivers
• Freesat boxes
• Freeview
• Virgin Media
• Generic satellite receivers

While the programming itself will remain broadly similar, the move marks another significant step in the television industry’s gradual transition away from older standard definition broadcasts and toward HD-only services.

What is Happening to Pick TV?

Pick has been one of Sky’s free-to-air entertainment channels for many years.

Originally launched as Sky Three in 2005 before later becoming Pick TV and then simply Pick, the channel has carried:

• Entertainment programmes
• Imported dramas
• Reality TV
• Documentaries
• Sports highlights
• Selected Sky content

Now Sky is retiring the Pick brand and replacing it with a newly branded free-to-air channel called Sky Mix.

Sky says the new Sky Mix channel will continue to offer entertainment programming while also featuring additional Sky Originals and selected premium content previously unavailable on free television.

Why is Sky Replacing Pick?

The rebrand appears to be part of Sky’s wider strategy to strengthen its channel branding and promote more of its own original programming to non-subscription viewers.

Sky Mix is expected to show:

• Sky Original dramas
• Comedy programmes
• True crime series
• Documentaries
• Films
• Acquired US imports

The channel will effectively act as a showcase for Sky’s subscription services while remaining available free-to-air.

This mirrors wider industry trends where broadcasters increasingly use free channels to promote premium streaming and subscription platforms.

Important Changes for Satellite Viewers

One of the biggest changes involves the move from standard definition (SD) broadcasting to HD-only satellite transmission.

Unlike Pick, which was widely available in SD across Europe, Sky Mix on satellite will only be broadcast in HD.

This means:

• Older SD-only Sky digiboxes may lose access
• Some generic SD satellite receivers will no longer receive the channel
• HD-compatible receivers will now be required

Users with:

• Sky HD
• Sky Q
• Freesat HD
• Modern satellite receivers

should continue to receive the channel automatically.

However, viewers using older standard definition equipment may need to upgrade their receivers.

Reception Issues in Spain

The satellite version of Sky Mix HD is expected to broadcast on a UK-focused satellite beam that may be harder to receive in Spain than the previous Pick SD service.

This could particularly affect:

• Smaller satellite dishes
• Fringe reception areas
• Older installations
• Weak signal systems

In many parts of Spain, larger satellite dishes are already required for stable HD reception of UK channels.

Some viewers who previously received Pick successfully on smaller dishes may therefore lose reception of the replacement Sky Mix HD service.

Manual Tuning Information

Users with generic satellite receivers or televisions with built-in satellite tuners may need to manually scan for the new channel.

Reported satellite tuning details include:

• Frequency: 12226 / 12227 MHz
• Polarisation: Horizontal
• Symbol Rate: 27500
• DVB-S2 HD transmission

Exact tuning details may vary depending on region and receiver type.

Another Step Toward HD-Only Broadcasting

The closure of Pick in SD form is part of a wider industry shift toward HD-only broadcasting on satellite.

Broadcasters including:

• BBC
• ITV
• Sky

have all been gradually reducing SD transmissions to free up satellite capacity and reduce costs.

For viewers still using old SD-only equipment, more channel closures and compatibility problems are likely over the coming months and years.

This transition is also encouraging viewers toward:

• HD receivers
• Sky Q
• Freesat HD
• Streaming platforms
• Internet-based television services

What Will Happen to Freeview?

On Freeview, Sky Mix will take over channel number 11, while Sky Arts will move further down the channel listings.

Unlike satellite, Freeview versions may remain available in standard definition depending on local transmitter arrangements.

Final Thoughts

The closure of Pick marks the end of a familiar free-to-air television brand that has existed in various forms for almost two decades.

While Sky Mix will largely continue the same style of programming, the move also reflects the television industry’s ongoing transition toward HD broadcasting and streaming-focused services.

For viewers in Spain and other fringe satellite reception areas, the changes could also create new reception challenges due to the HD-only satellite transmission and tighter UK satellite beam coverage.

Users still relying on older SD satellite receivers should now consider upgrading to HD-compatible equipment to avoid losing additional channels in the future.

More information : Pick TV to rebrand in October