The brand name and format had earlier been used for a similar service which broadcast on analogue platforms for a year from 1996.

[citation needed] On Thursday 1 March 2007, Sky Two, alongside other non-premium Sky networks, were removed from Virgin Media following a contract dispute between Virgin Media and BSkyB caused by the expiry of their carriage agreement and their inability to reach a new deal.

[citation needed] From 10 May to 9 August 2010, Sky conducted an experimental revision of service, under which Sky2 ceased to run its own full-time programme schedule, and instead predominantly operated a one-hour timeshift of programming on Sky1.

[citation needed] Shows which weren't shown on the time-delay included the premiere of Sky1's Terry Pratchett's Going Postal, the station's adaptation of the author's Discworld novel.

[citation needed] Also not seen on a timeshift basis was the final episode of Lost; which was aired at 5 am, as a simultaneous broadcast with the United States.

[citation needed] The timeshift trial concluded on 9 August 2010, with Sky2 reverting to its previous scheduling pattern.

[citation needed] Sky2's new idents would follow along the same themes as Sky One's, but the action is in close-up, featuring a small metal '2' icon (in contrast to Sky1's giant '1' symbol).

[citation needed] Since 2011, Sky2 has been progressively moved down the programme guide on the Sky satellite platform to make room for other services.

[citation needed] In February 2011, to make way for the relaunched Sky Living, Sky2 moved to channel 129, previously home to Syfy UK.

Sky Two dropped its previous filmed idents in favour of using an animated sting featuring the new channel logo.

[citation needed] On 1 October 2019, the channel moved down to 170 following the closure of Real Lives and launch of Sky Crime.

Following the closure of Bravo in 2011, Sky Two adopted some of its programming, particularly in the science-fiction, drama and documentary fields.