LONDON—Britain's Sky Broadcasting announced plans yesterday to double its arts content, starting in October, the Guardian reports. Currently, the network runs the Sky Arts channel, which will be split into Sky Arts 1 and 2. The first channel will focus more on contemporary art and rock concerts, and the second on opera, classical music, and dance. Sky Arts HD will show content from both channels.

Sophie Turner Laing, Sky's entertainment managing director, said the company's aim is to offer people the best choice of arts programming. Unlike the BBC and other regular broadcasters, she pointed out, Sky is not driven by ratings. "To us they are not the be-all and end-all because the viewers have already decided to be with us."

Upcoming scheduled programs include a Tim Marlow feature on Francis Bacon and a four-part series called The Forgotten Painter — Edward Seago.