topic Re: Disappearing Channels in What's On

Disappearing Channels

nickmilner — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:26:32 GMT

Channels 998 & 999 have been on the programme planner for decades. Thursday morning they had both gone. Sky+ system. Anyone know why ? Is it a mistake ? As they were Sky's own internal advert channels I can't understand why they have gone

Re: Disappearing Channels

Timelord2018 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:29:52 GMT

They have closed down by Sky, Sky News is now the default channel instead.

Re: Disappearing Channels

nickmilner — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:28:40 GMT

Just those two channels or anything else ?

Re: Disappearing Channels

xenon81 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:34:26 GMT

999 closed a few years ago but 998 was last week.

Re: Disappearing Channels

MarkGoldsmith — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:35:26 GMT

@nickmilner Everyone month there is a new thread, which is updated weekly by the Sky Community Team, which lists any channel changes they are aware of. The thread for January is here: https://helpforum.sky.com/t5/What-s-On/Changes-to-the-TV-Guide-January-2026/td-p/5170865

Re: Disappearing Channels

Timelord2018 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:56:59 GMT

For now yes, although likely not the last change.

Re: Disappearing Channels

Daniel0210 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 17:47:46 GMT

@Timelord2018

You seem to be totally focused on Sky One, which is being discussed in another thread so no need to replicate on this one therefore going off topic.

Re: Disappearing Channels

nickmilner — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:13:11 GMT

Thanks Mark,

An informative list.....although I don;t see the disappearance of 998 & 999 listed. Have I missed something ?

Re: Disappearing Channels

xenon81 — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 18:32:28 GMT

@nickmilner wrote:
Thanks Mark,

An informative list.....although I don;t see the disappearance of 998 & 999 listed. Have I missed something ?

998 should probably be listed, but 999 isn't a recent removal. It was removed on 12th July 2024 (https://www.tvchannellists.com/w/List_of_line-up_changes_on_Sky_(UK_and_Ireland)_in_2024 )

Re: Disappearing Channels

KevNewMedia — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:10:46 GMT

@nickmilner wrote:

Channels 998 & 999 have been on the programme planner for decades. Thursday morning they had both gone. Sky+ system. Anyone know why ? Is it a mistake ? As they were Sky's own internal advert channels I can't understand why they have gone

Morning @nickmilner

As has been mentioned, we can confirm that the default channel has been appointed to be Sky News to improve the experience for everyone.

I'm going to mark this post as the current answer, so that everyone has the most up-to-date information.