Sky Sports is set to broadcast over 70 WNBA games in 2026, a significant expansion of its sports coverage that signals a move towards greater visibility for women's professional basketball. This development comes as the company undertakes various channel realignments and updates, though the direct connection between these operational changes and the WNBA acquisition remains unstated. The expanded WNBA offering represents a new frontier for the broadcaster, aiming to capture a wider audience interested in diverse sporting events.
Channel Shifts and Rebranding Amidst Broader Broadcast Plans
Recent announcements detail a series of alterations to the Sky TV guide, impacting numerous channels across different platforms. These changes, primarily effective from April 2025, involve the closure of some High Definition (HD) satellite services, with their Standard Definition (SD) counterparts persisting. Other channels are relocating or undergoing temporary name changes, a practice noted in Sky's official communications as 'temporary change'.
Read More: Prime Video to Broadcast Duke Men's Basketball Games Starting 2026
Specifically, the following channel adjustments were communicated:
U&W HD is ceasing on satellite but will continue in SD.
U&Yesterday HD is also closing on satellite, with its SD version remaining.
U&Alibi HD is moving to a new frequency for Glass and Stream users in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
GINX TV HD, MUTV HD, and LFCTV HD are shifting positions on Glass and Stream services in the UK.
Premier Sports 1 HD and Premier Sports 2 HD are also moving on Glass/Stream, with GINX TV HD, MUTV HD, and LFCTV HD seeing similar adjustments for Republic of Ireland users.
Sky History 2 HD will no longer be available on satellite, with its SD version relocating. The HD channel, however, will remain accessible via Glass/Stream.
Several movie and genre-specific channels, including Sky Thriller HD, Sky Adventure HD, Sky HarryPotter HD, The Hobbit HD, and Sky Horror HD, are noted as undergoing temporary name changes, with some reverting to previous designations.
POP Max (SD and HD) and POP Max+1 are being permanently removed from the service.
Tiny Pop and POP+1 channels are also shifting their positions on satellite.
These operational adjustments underscore a dynamic content landscape, even as the WNBA broadcast deal points to a strategic addition to Sky Sports' programming. The information regarding the WNBA games was not present in the provided channel update documents, suggesting it is a more recent or separately announced development.
