Disappearing Channels

[nickmilner]

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

[Timelord2018]

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

[nickmilner]

Just those two channels or anything else ?

[xenon81]

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

[MarkGoldsmith]

@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 

[Timelord2018]

For now yes, although likely not the last change.

[Daniel0210]

@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. 

[nickmilner]

Thanks Mark,

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

[xenon81]

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@nickmilner wrote:

Thanks Mark,

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

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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 )

[KevNewMedia · Accepted solution]

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@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

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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.