Turner Classic Movies (1999-2023)
On 15 October 1999, Turner Classic Movies launched on Sky Digital and NTL cable platforms.[7] The first film to broadcast on the network was the 1946 movie The Big Sleep. While Cartoon Network had already transitioned into a pay network, Turner Classic Movies remained free-to-air. However it didn't start broadcasting on analogue satellite until after TNT closed, and it continued to share with Cartoon Network, airing in the same four-hour evening slot that TNT has occupied.
For a time after TNT's closure, Turner Classic Movies continued TNT's weekly strand of WCW programming on Fridays under a separate feed. Afterwards, WCW programming moved to Bravo.
On 30 June 2001, Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies ceased operations on analogue satellite as part of Sky's analogue shutdown.[8]
In January 2004, Turner Classic Movies became encrypted on Sky Digital.[9]
In 2009, Turner Classic Movies received a graphical makeover and a new logo in an attempt to attract a younger audience. With the makeover several new films were added to the channel's catalogue.[10] A high definition version of the channel launched on 4 September 2012,[11] at the same time the standard definition version began broadcasting in 16:9 widescreen, whereas Turner Classic Movies 2 continued to be broadcast in 4:3.
A one-hour timeshift, Turner Classic Movies +1, launched on 13 August 2013, replacing Turner Classic Movies 2.[12]
On 25 July 2019, the HD channel closed on Sky.[13]
Turner Classic Movies was renamed TCM Movies on 1 August 2019.
The channel closed on 7 July 2023, and some of the channel's former film programming was moved to sister channel Quest, this ended in January 2025.[14] The last movie shown on the channel was Murder Most Foul and the last content shown on the channel before the closedown was a Close Up short dedicated to Arnold Schwarzenegger.[15][16]
