Digital TV Guides

Sky Atlantic

By Becca Talbot

Are you a fan of Boardwalk Empire, Game of Thrones or Mad Men? Make sure you’ve got a subscription to Sky to watch these series and more on the satellite TV provider’s US-leaning entertainment channel, Sky Atlantic.

Sky Atlantic is one of the newest channels from Sky (www.sky.co.uk), the UK’s largest satellite TV provider, and it is only available to Sky TV subscribers.

The channel offers viewers the first glimpse of many of the latest US drama series, such as series five of cult retro advertising industry drama Mad Men. It also offers original UK programming, like Walking and Talking, a comedy series by Kathy Burke.

Digitalchoices.co.uk has got the lowdown on why you might want Sky Atlantic and how to get it if you do.

What is Sky Atlantic?

Sky launched the Sky Atlantic channel on 1 February 2011, making it exclusively available to all 10 million of its TV subscribers for no extra cost.

The channel, which Sky describes as “the exclusive UK home to HBO and the most anticipated shows”, broadcast a host of popular US and original British drama series. Sky and US cable TV network HBO signed a deal in 2010 for the channel to show HBO drama series, including Martin Scorsese’s prohibition era hit Boardwalk Empire.

When the channel launched, Stuart Murphy, director of programmes for Sky Atlantic, said: “Sky Atlantic HD is unashamedly dedicated to quality. As the home of HBO in the UK, it's the place where the world's best talent - whether on screen or off, American or home-grown - come to do their most creative work. “

What’s on Sky Atlantic?

Sky Atlantic shows some fantastic dramas and comedies- both from Britain, and across the pond in the good ol’ USA. These include:

• Boardwalk Empire - Drama series set in the prohibition era Altantic City, from acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese.
• Mad Men - Drama series that follows the lives of slick and smart advertising men in 1960s New York.
• Game of Thrones - Emmy-award winning fantasy epic, based on George R.R. Martin's “A Song of Ice and Fire” series of novels.
• Blue Bloods - Blue Bloods is a drama about a multi-generational family of cops dedicated to New York City law enforcement
• The Sopranos - New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life in this modern tale of morality
• The Wire - Intense US crime series about the Baltimore drug scene, as seen through the eyes of dealers and the law
• Curb Your Enthusiasm - Seinfeld co-creator Larry David stars as himself in this hilarious, cerebral comedy series that presents an unflinching, self-depreciating depiction of his life.

Sky Atlantic has exclusive rights to new series of Mad Men

How to get Sky Atlantic

Sky Atlantic is available to all Sky TV customers, whether you take the Sky Entertainment or the Sky Extra.

Programmes will be broadcast in both standard and high-definition, though the HD version of the channel will only be available to those who also take the Sky HD pack, which is available for an additional fee on top of your standard Sky subscription.

Sky Atlantic programmes will also be available through the Sky Anytime+ on-demand service to customers that also take Sky broadband.

If you haven’t already got Sky and want to get the new Sky Atlantic channel, have a look at the table below to find a cheap deal that suits you:

Sky TV packages

Sky TV only		Sky TV + Broadband + Calls
More info	More info	More info	More info
from £12.50 a month + Sky+ box + £25 M&S voucher	from £17.62 a month + Sky+ box + £25 M&S voucher	from £12.50 a month + Sky+ Box + £25 M&S voucher	from £20 a month + Sky+ Box + £25 M&S voucher
Online exclusive 1/2 price TV for 6 months Sky TV - Sky Entertainment extra pack	Online exclusive 1/2 price TV for 6 months Sky TV - Sky Entertainment extra pack 1/2 price Sky HD pack for 6 months	Online exclusive 1/2 price TV for 6 months Sky TV - Sky Entertainment extra pack Up to 14Mb speed 2GB monthly usage Inclusive UK evening and weekend calls	Online exclusive 1/2 price TV for 6 months Sky Entertainment extra pack Up to 14Mb speed Unlimited downloads Inclusive UK evening and weekend calls
More info	More info	More info	More info
Visit Sky.com or call 0844 241 1407	Visit Sky.com or call 0844 241 1407	Visit Sky.com or call 0844 241 1407	Visit Sky.com or call 0844 241 1407