Sky TV launches new free-to-air channel Sky Open to replace Prime

17/08/2023
Darren Bevan

Sky Open is to replace Prime. Photo credit: Supplied - Sky New Zealand

Sky Television has unveiled a new free-to-air channel Sky Open, which will launch on Wednesday, August 23, replacing Prime.

A statement from the company on Thursday said the channel will showcase "a wide range of exciting content, including locally-produced shows from Sky Originals NZ, news, exclusive Sky Sport coverage, documentaries and entertainment".

Prime News will be changing its name to News First at 5.30pm and continue to be hosted by Eric Young.

Sky Open will be accessed on Sky channel 4 and Freeview channel 15, with Prime+1 changing to Sky Open+1 on Sky channel 514.

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The company also said viewers who prefer to stream Sky Open live or watch its programmes on demand will be able to do so via Sky Go.

Sky also said the second series of the Rhys Darby and Taika Waititi comedy Our Flag Means Death will be broadcast on Sky Open later this year.