Real Lives (TV channel)
Real Lives was a British television channel owned by Sky, a division of Comcast. It used to be the sister channel of Sky Living. It was originally known as LIVINGtv2 from the channel's launch in 2004 till 2007, and then was known as Living2 from 2007 to 2009.
| Real Lives | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Launched | 13 December 2004 |
| Closed | 1 October 2019 |
| Owned by | Sky |
| Picture format | 16:9 576i SDTV |
| Audience share | 0.04% 0.01% (+1) (August 2018, BARB) |
| Slogan | "Life's worth watching" (2009-2011) |
| Formerly called | LIVINGtv2 (2004-07) Living2 (2007-09) Livingit (2009-11) Sky Livingit (2011-15) |
| Replaced by | Sky Crime |
| Sister channel(s) | Challenge Pick Sky One Sky Two Sky Arts Sky Atlantic Sky Cinema Sky News Sky Sports Sky Sports Box Office Sky Sports F1 Sky Sports News Sky Sports Racing Sky Witness |
| Timeshift service | Real Lives +1 |
| Website | sky.com/skyliving |
Availability (at time of closure) | |
| Satellite | |
| Sky | Channel 170 Channel 270 (+1) |
| Cable | |
| Virgin Media (UK) | Channel 136 Channel 207 (+1) |
| Virgin Media (Ireland) | Channel 158 |
| WightFibre | Channel 66 Channel 63 (+1) |
| IPTV | |
| TalkTalk TV | Channel 305 |
| Streaming media | |
| Sky Go | Watch live (UK & Ireland only) |
| Virgin TV Anywhere | Watch live (UK only) |
On 1 October 2019, Real Lives closed down and was replaced by Sky Crime.
History
The channel mainly showed highlights of programming from the main channel, along with extended coverage of its reality programmes, such as I'm Famous and Frightened Extra! and Most Haunted Live. However, the channel has gained the American reality TV series, The Amazing Race. The channel has also shown more lifestyle and health related programmes such as Baby ER, Birth Stories, Downsize Me and Wedding SOS.
Every morning from 10 am to 12 pm, there used to be a programming slot called Baby Zone, in which programmes related to pregnancy and birth were shown. Programmes included Birth Days and Maternity Ward and Babies: Special Delivery.
As of 2018, most of the programmes on the channel are repeats of factual programmes that are also on Pick.
A one-hour timeshift version of the channel launched on 5 February 2009, replacing Trouble +1.[1] [2]
Living2 was rebranded as Livingit on 30 November 2009, following problems making viewers understand that the channel is not a time-shifted version of the main channel.[3][4] The relaunch was accompanied by new programming under the strapline "Life's worth watching".[5]
It was announced on 25 October 2010, that Living would be rebranded as Sky Living in early 2011 and move EPG positions on Sky from channel 112 to 107 after Sky One and before Sky Atlantic.[6] As part of the move Livingit was rebranded as Sky Livingit.[7]
Upon the launch of the now defunct drama channel ITV Encore, on 3 June 2014, it moved to EPG slot 222 on Sky, and Sky Livingit +1, whose EPG number was replaced by Sky Arts 1 HD (SD on HD viewing) moving to slot 223.
On 9 June 2015, Sky Livingit was rebranded as Real Lives, moving to slot 172 on Sky.
On 1 October 2019, Real Lives ceased broadcasting in the early hours of 6:00am and was replaced by Sky Crime, which later moved up to its current slot on Sky channel 121.
Former logos
LIVINGtv2 (2004-2007)
LIVINGit (2009-2011)
Sky Livingit (2011-2015)
References
- "Trouble timeshift axed for more Living2". Digital Spy. 2009-02-03.
- "Implementation-Living 2 +1". AGB Nielsen Media Research. 2009-01-08.
- "Virgin Media relaunches 'Living 2' as 'Living It'". Marketing Magazine. 2009-10-30.
- "Virgin Media to drop Living2 brand". Marketing Magazine. 2009-10-05.
- "VMtv rebrands Living and Living2". Marketing Week. 2009-11-18.
- "Sky confirms strengthened entertainment line-up". British Sky Broadcasting. 25 October 2010. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
- "New Sky EPG line up to make it even easier for customers to enjoy the best in pay TV". British Sky Broadcasting. 18 January 2011.
External links
- Sky Living at sky.com
- Press release of the launch
- America's Psychic Challenge on Living2
- The TV Room looks at presentation/branding on Living 2
