Charting the year-by-year changes to Sky Sports' broadcasts
Wednesday 20 April 2016 08:15, UK
Since its first transmission 25 years ago, Sky Sports has changed the experience of watching sport on TV. In the month before Sky Sports began, there were just 27 hours of sport on TV.
Now, it's a different landscape - there are 5,000 hours on average shown by Sky Sports alone, and with that has come greater investment at all levels of sport, more detailed analysis, and a wide variety of ways to view and participate in an ever-growing number of matches and tournaments.
Here's how Sky Sports has transformed the field of sports broadcasting...
1991
On April 20, Sky Sports launches, broadcasting 4,278 hours of sport by the end of 1991
1992
Premier League coverage launches on Sky Sports
The clock and score-line are introduced to live football coverage
The first overseas ICC Cricket World Cup from Australia and New Zealand is shown live
Steadicam is introduced to sports TV for Sky Sports' football coverage, enhancing the television viewing experience for football fans
1993
Super slo-mo cameras are used on Sky Sports for the first time, allowing in-depth analysis and break-down of key moments
1994
Live club rugby union begins on Sky Sports, with Bath v Bristol on September 10
1995
Sky Sports screens a live 'double header' from the final day of the 94/95 season with two simultaneous matches on separate channels
'Replay 2000' is introduced to Sky Sports' football coverage, measuring speed and distances, improving the viewer's ability to understand and dissect key moments
The first uninterrupted live Ryder Cup is screened by Sky Sports
1996
Frank Bruno v Mike Tyson is offered as the country's first nationwide domestic boxing pay-per-view
1997
All three Football League play-off finals are shown live for the first time
'Virtual Replay' computer animation is added to Sky Sports' football coverage
The Lions tour to South Africa on Sky Sports is the first to be screened in full for UK viewers
1998
The first RFL Super League Grand Final is shown
TV mics are used by Super League refs on Sky Sports for the first time
Europe's first 24 hours sports TV news service, Sky Sports News, launches, revolutionising the sports landscape, offering round-the-clock coverage of the latest sports news
skysports.com launches, offering top-tier digital coverage of the world's top sporting events
1999
First interactive sports broadcast - Arsenal v Man Utd from Highbury, which also features the first use of Playercam, allowing viewers a choice of views on the game
Sky Sports screens the first live football match online as Scotland meet England in a vital UEFA Euro 2000 qualifier
Interactive Ryder Cup commentary including US commentary feed is introduced
2000
Goal-line cameras are introduced to Sky Sports' football coverage, offering a variety of perspectives to improve the viewing experience
The first widescreen sport is offered by Sky Sports
2001
World's first ball tracking graphic 'Sky Scope' is introduced to cricket coverage, revolutionising the way that key moments in the game are seen and understood
2002
Sky Sports offers the first interactive F1 coverage offering multiple camera, highlights and info feeds
Phil Taylor hits the first ever live televised nine-darter on Sky Sports
2003
Every game from the ICC World Cup is shown live for the first time
Multi-match UEFA Champions League coverage is launched showing eight games simultaneously, allowing a never-before-seen breadth of choice
Sky Sports teams up with Youth Sport Trust to launch the 'Living for Sport' initiative, helping to develop skills and opportunities for young people from a diverse range of backgrounds around the country
2004
Sky Sports launches 'Ultra Motion' 1000-frame per second camera technology on England's tour to the West Indies
Football First begins offering a Game of the Day plus multi-match highlights, allowing for greater choice and flexibility in sports coverage
2005
Five-second shot-clock added to Sky Sports' Premier League snooker coverage
Sky Sports News streamed to mobile phones for the first time, offering an insight into the future of how people will watch their sport
2006
High Definition sports coverage is launched by Sky Sports with England's second Test against Sri Lanka, offering the best viewing experience
Multi-platform coverage via online and mobile devices is offered for the first time with the Ryder Cup
Sky's first mobile app (featuring Sky Sports) launches, allowing Sky+ customers to record remotely using their mobile phones
2007
Super Bowl XLI becomes the first US HD broadcast to be screened in UK & Ireland
Infrared 'Hot Spot' camera technology is introduced to Sky Sports' cricket coverage, adding another level to the viewer's understanding of the game
Sky Sports' America's Cup coverage includes 'Virtual Eye' 3D GBP tracking graphic animation
Live amateur club cricket is shown for the first time with the Northgear 2020 Finals Day
Every game from the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 is shown live on Sky Sports
2008
'Field Plan' graphic debuts on Sky Sports cricket coverage
Sky Sports debuts content on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
Sky Sports' Rugby Club opens the 'School of Hard Knocks' which aims to use sport as an inspirational force to help those from difficult backgrounds
2009
Every England match from the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup is shown, affirming Sky Sports' long-term commitment to women's sport
The first uninterrupted home Ashes series airs
2010
Sky Sports shows the first-ever live 3D sports broadcast: Arsenal v Man Utd at the Emirates Stadium screened to nine pubs in UK & Ireland
Sky Sports in 3D launches in home with Ryder Cup coverage from Celtic Manor
Sky Sports shows its 150th live England Test match
Sky Sports for Mobile app launches
2011
All four days of The Masters shown in HD and 3D on Sky Sports
2012
Sky Sports launches dedicated Formula 1 channel, along with 'Race Control' iPad app
'Ref Cam' (a television camera mounted on the referee) introduced for a Championship rugby match between Newcastle Falcons and London Scottish
Sky Sports offers viewers in the UK & Ireland, Formula 1 coverage in Dolby digital 5.1 surround sound
Sky Sports for iPad launches
Andy Murray wins the US Open final live on Sky Sports to claim his first major
Sergio Aguero's goal on the final day of the season snatches the title for Manchester City over local rivals Manchester United in one of the most memorable title races in English football history
2013
Wire-mounted 'Spider Cam' used for the first time in a Rugby League game
In August, Sky Sports' Game Changers is broadcast for the first time
2014
Sky Sports 5 launches, increasing the number of Sky Sports channels to 7
4K tested for first time by Sky Sports at the Ryder Cup
Sky Sports broadcasts the Women's Rugby World Cup, as England achieve the ultimate prize
2015
Access to 'Ref Mic' for the first time at Rugby Union European Champions Cup
First Live Masterclass at British Masters, looking to boost involvement and participation in golf
NOW TV Sky Sports Month Pass launches to customers, broadening access on a subscription-free basis to the top live sport on television
For the first time, Sky Sports passes 30 million unique browsers on skysports.com, becoming the number one* digital destination for sport in the UK.
Every ball of the Women's Ashes and golf's Solheim Cup is shown live
Sky Sports invests in the Whistle Sports network - with 38m social video views for Soccer AM since YouTube relaunch.
Sky Sports launches on Snapchat Discovery
2016
Sky Sports' Netball Month celebrates women's sport
David Beckham becomes the first person to have Sky Q installed in his home
Sky Sports to introduce UHD service on Sky Q
Batcam drone camera and Robotcam used at Capital One Cup Final
The Open is broadcast on Sky Sports for the first time
*According to ComScore multi-platform data (January - November 2015)
