Our history | 1989 - 1999

Our history

1989

Sky launches as the UK’s first satellite TV service with 4 free to air channels including Sky News, Europe's first 24-hour News channel.

Sky launches Sky One.

1990

Sky's delivers its first live coverage of England overseas Cricket Test - England v West Indies in Jamaica.

Sky launches Sky Movies as its first subscription service.

Sky TV and BSB merge and re-launch as BSkyB.

1991

Sky launches Sky Sports including innovations such as the first on-screen clock & score line for live football.

1992

Sky Sports delivers exclusive live coverage of the new FA Premier League, the start of a new era for English Football. First transmission was Nottingham Forest v Liverpool 1-0 with Teddy Sheringham scoring.

1993

Sky launches first package of basic subscription channels - 14 services for a monthly fee including Sky One, Discovery, UK Gold & Nickelodeon.

1994

Sky launches Sky Sports 2.

1995

Sky Sports delivers its first live coverage of the Ryder Cup.

Sky enters the FTSE 100.

Sky reaches 5 million subscribers.

1996

Sky launches UK's first pay-per-view (£9.95) TV event - Frank Bruno v Mike Tyson in Las Vegas. 600,000 viewers sign up to Sky to view the fight.

In partnership with ITV, Sky launches Granada Sky Broadcasting with 5 new channels.

England's Rugby Premier League club competition relaunches as the Super League after an exclusive live rights deal with Sky.

1997

Sky launches Sky Box Office offering pay-per-view movies.

1998

Sky launches Sky Digital offering the UK's first digital TV service with over 140 channels and later launches the EPG - Electronic Program Guide.

Sky launches Sky Sports News - Europe's first dedicated sports news TV service.

1999

Sky delivers the world's first interactive football match via Sky Sports Xtra.