BSkyB is launching a time-shifted version of its Sky1 channel. Sky1+1 will go live on November 12th, taking up channel 172 on Sky’s electronic programme guide.
As the name suggests, the channel will carry almost all of Sky1’s schedule on a one-hour delay. There is one notable exception: The Simpsons. Under the current terms of BSkyB’s licensing deal with Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, the broadcaster is not permitted to show the animated comedy on the timeshift channel.
When an episode of The Simpsons would otherwise air, viewers will instead see an on-screen message telling them that normal service continues on Sky1 and that Sky1+1 will be back shortly. The launch follows the recent arrival of a time-shifted version of Sky Atlantic.