Sky Arts (New Zealand TV channel)

The channel, as Arts Channel, was founded by David Ross, founder of the Rialto Channel, in 2004, being owned by Niche Media International.^[1] He was joined by a board of directors which included former Auckland Philharmonia director Lloyd Williams and arts philantropist James Wallace. At launch, most programmes were acquired from Europe and the United States; its primetime strategy announced the airing of one new work at day, screening major works at 8:30pm nightly, and with high repeat potential. Costing NZ$12 per subscription, it would, thanks to Sky's co-operation, lease its channel capacity in the daytime to subsidise its operations.^[2] Broadcasts began on 1 March that year, being offered as a free preview to all subscribers to entice a potential audience.^[1]

In July 2009, Ross announced his intent to sell the channel to Sky due to the small size of New Zealand's television market.^[3] Under Sky, Chris de Bazin was appointed its manager.^[4] It also aimed to buy documentaries that were left out when the BBC acquired Documentary Channel in late 2010.^[5] By early 2015, Sky Arts was "performing well", even though its ratings and subscription base were low compared to the Sky Sport network.^[6] As of 2017, the channel was carrying Later... With Jools Holland; in June that year, two New Zealand singers took part, Sky Arts aired it on a delay.^[7]