Sky 5
Sky 5 is a New Zealand pay-television channel carried on the Sky television platform.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Sky 5 is a New Zealand television channel distributed through the Sky television service. Its schedule is primarily composed of imported entertainment programming from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, supplemented by a comparatively small amount of New Zealand content. The channel occupies a general entertainment and drama-oriented position within Sky's subscription television portfolio, with programming that has included scripted series, comedy, reality formats, action programmes, factual series, and professional wrestling. The service began broadcasting on 3 December 1994 under the name Orange on Sky's UHF platform, using preset channel 7. The Orange identity was deliberately distinctive in a crowded New Zealand television market. Its branding, developed with design agency Lambie-Nairn, used a colour and fruit-based concept rather than a conventional network identity. At launch, the channel generally operated from the morning until late evening, with other services using portions of the broadcast schedule outside Orange's hours. Juice TV initially occupied overnight periods, and Cartoon Network later used daytime capacity on the UHF service. Nickelodeon subsequently replaced Cartoon Network in that daytime arrangement. On 1 June 1998, Orange was renamed Sky 1. The change accompanied an expansion of programming, including overnight broadcasting. The Simpsons became part of the channel's early Sky 1-era identity, and the service moved to continuous 24-hour broadcasting when Sky Digital launched on 1 January 1999. The channel also became associated with telecasts of World Wrestling Federation and later WWE programming, alongside a broad mix of imported entertainment. Although Sky Network Television considered making Sky 1 available free to air in 2005, it did not proceed with that plan and instead acquired the existing Prime television network. On 1 February 2008, Sky 1 was relaunched as The Box. The rebrand was supported by premieres, reality programmes, and new seasons of established series. Ten years later, on 2 February 2018, the channel adopted its current Sky 5 name. The rebrand retained the channel's broad entertainment role while emphasizing additional television series based on DC Comics properties and American action programming. Available programming has changed over time. Earlier or notable titles associated with the service include The Simpsons, South Park, Xena: Warrior Princess, and WWE programming. A December 2024 schedule described a mix of American, British, Australian, and New Zealand programmes including FBI: Most Wanted, The Mentalist, The Last Kingdom, Ghosts of Beirut, Quantum Leap, Parks and Recreation, The Middle, Territory Cops, Traffic Cops, Channel Patrol, and The Enemy Within. WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown, and WWE NXT were listed as live offerings until December 2024 in the reference material. The current operating status of the Sky 5 brand and its schedule is not independently established here.
History
Sky 5 originated as Orange, a television channel launched on 3 December 1994 on Sky's UHF service in New Zealand. It initially used preset channel 7 and generally broadcast from approximately 10:00 in the morning until around 23:30. Because the service did not occupy the full day at first, other channels used parts of the schedule: Juice TV was carried overnight in 1995, and Cartoon Network was shown during daytime hours from 1 January 1997. The daytime arrangement later changed when Nickelodeon replaced Cartoon Network. The channel's original branding was designed to stand apart from the established visual language of general-entertainment television in New Zealand. Lambie-Nairn, the British design agency associated with major television identity projects, developed an orange- and fruit-based concept. The distinctive identity was intended to make the service recognizable in a television market perceived as crowded with general-entertainment networks. Orange became Sky 1 on 1 June 1998. The renamed channel expanded its schedule with overnight programming and established a stronger connection with Sky's developing subscription platform. The Simpsons was introduced during this period, with its first episode on the channel reported as airing on 7 July 1998. When Sky Digital launched on 1 January 1999, Sky 1 began broadcasting around the clock on the digital service. The UHF transmission continued to share daytime capacity with another children's channel for a period. Sky 1 also carried WWF and subsequently WWE telecasts, adding a live and event-oriented component to its entertainment schedule. In 2005, Sky Network Television considered removing encryption from Sky 1 and making it a free-to-air channel. The proposal was not adopted. Instead, Sky acquired the existing Prime network, leaving Sky 1 as a pay-television service within the Sky portfolio. The next major identity change took place on 1 February 2008, when Sky 1 was relaunched under the name The Box. The launch was supported by premieres, reality programmes, and new seasons of existing series. The Box continued the channel's role as a home for imported entertainment while presenting a revised brand identity. On 2 February 2018, the service was renamed Sky 5. The change occurred ten years and one day after the The Box relaunch. The channel retained a broad programming mix but placed additional emphasis on television series connected with DC Comics properties and American action programming. Over its successive identities, the service has remained associated with international television imports, including American, British, and Australian programmes, with a smaller contribution from New Zealand productions. The programming record has included long-running comedy and drama titles such as The Simpsons, South Park, Xena: Warrior Princess, The Mentalist, Parks and Recreation, The Middle, and The Last Kingdom. It has also carried factual and reality titles, crime and action series, and WWE broadcasts. A schedule described in December 2024 included Channel Patrol, The Enemy Within, FBI: Most Wanted, Ghosts of Beirut, Go On, Lockerbie, Quantum Leap, South Beach Tow, Territory Cops, and Traffic Cops. The reference material identifies WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown, and WWE NXT as live offerings until December 2024. The available material does not establish whether Sky 5 remains active under that name after the referenced schedule.
- 2024
Reference schedule includes international entertainment and factual programming
[1]A December 2024 schedule lists American, British, Australian, and New Zealand programmes, while identifying WWE Raw, WWE SmackDown, and WWE NXT as live offerings through December.
- 2018
The Box becomes Sky 5
[1]The channel changes identity to Sky 5, retaining its entertainment mix while adding DC-related series and American action shows.
- 2008
Sky 1 relaunches as The Box
[1]The channel adopts The Box name and promotes the change with premieres, reality programming, and returning series.
- 2005
Free-to-air proposal is not pursued
[1]Sky Network Television considers making Sky 1 free to air but instead purchases the existing Prime network.
- 1999
Sky Digital brings continuous broadcasting
[1]Following the launch of Sky Digital, Sky 1 begins broadcasting 24 hours a day on the digital service.
- 1998
Orange becomes Sky 1
[1]The channel changes its name to Sky 1 and adds overnight programming.
- 1997
Cartoon Network occupies daytime hours
[1]Cartoon Network begins using the channel's daytime UHF capacity, broadcasting while Orange is not on air.
- 1995
Juice TV uses overnight capacity
[1]Juice TV begins broadcasting overnight during periods when Orange is off air.
- 1994
Orange launches on Sky UHF
[1]The channel begins broadcasting in New Zealand as Orange on Sky's UHF service, using preset channel 7.
Products and positioning
A general-entertainment pay-television channel within New Zealand's Sky platform, combining international scripted series, comedy, action, factual content, reality programming, and selected local shows.
Subscription television channel · 2018
Sky 5
Sky 5 is a New Zealand pay-television channel carried on the Sky platform. Its programming has centered on general entertainment, with imported scripted series, comedies, reality formats, factual programmes, action shows, and selected local content. The channel has also historically carried major professional wrestling broadcasts. Its schedule and brand identity have changed over time, reflecting its earlier names Orange, Sky 1, and The Box.
Brand decisions
2018
Rebranding from The Box to Sky 5StrategyBackground
The channel had operated as The Box since its 2008 relaunch and required a new identity within the Sky television brand family.
Action taken
On 2 February 2018, The Box was renamed Sky 5. The programming mix continued, with additional emphasis on DC Comics-based series and American action shows.
Aftermath
The service continued as a general-entertainment channel under the Sky 5 name, although its post-December 2024 status is not established by the available material.
2005
Sky 1 remains a pay channel rather than becoming free to airStrategyBackground
Sky Network Television considered removing encryption from Sky 1 and distributing it as a free-to-air service.
Action taken
The company did not proceed with the proposed Sky 1 conversion and instead acquired the existing Prime network.
Aftermath
Sky 1 continued as part of the subscription television portfolio, while Prime served as the acquired free-to-air network.
Recent events
- Unconfirmed
Sky announces Sky1 rebrand as Sky Showcase[3]
Sky announced that its flagship Sky1 channel would be rebranded as Sky Showcase, with the changes due to take effect from September 1.
Sources3 sources
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