E! channel to close in UK and Ireland on New Year's Eve

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 25 December 2023

Sky confirms plans to close down the E! channel in the UK and Ireland after almost 20 years.

Sky has confirmed that the E! channel will close down in the UK and Ireland next week after almost 20 years.

The channel - from Sky owner Comcast and a localised version of the long-running US station - broadcasts a lineup of entertainment and celebrity programming.

Up until a couple of years ago, E!'s schedule in the UK and Ireland took a lot of programming from its US counterpart, including its notorious red-carpet coverage of events such as the Oscars and the Emmys, but its schedule has since become non-stop repeats of reality shows such as Keeping Up With The Kardashians.

A Sky spokesperson confirmed: "In the UK, linear channel E! (EPG number 159) will come off Sky's platforms on Sunday, December 31, 2023.

"Fans of E! UK can continue to keep up to date 24/7 on the latest in entertainment and pop culture news through E! online (www.eonline.com) and via E!'s social channels.

"Meanwhile, fans of reality can access over 300 shows and 10,000 episodes - including many popular E! shows - of their favourite reality programming on Hayu, NBCUniversal's all-reality SVOD service that's integrated into streaming service NOW, Sky Stream and Sky Glass and will come to Sky Q in early 2024."

According to the latest figures from ratings provider BARB, E! had a monthly audience share of just 0.03%.

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