Sky And NOW Team Up With Dogs Trust

With firework season fast approaching, Sky and NOW have teamed up with Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, to launch a pop-up TV channel designed to help our four-legged friends stay calm during the potentially stressful period.

The aptly named 'BonfireNight' channel will feature a range of soothing, funny and distracting movies specifically curated for dogs to enjoy with their owners, helping to ease anxiety triggered by loud noises. Found on Sky channel 310, it will air from 6am on November 1 until 6am on November 6, featuring hit movies perfect for owners and dogs alike. The collection of movies will also be available to watch on demand and with a NOW Cinema pass.

Sky and NOW's extensive back catalogue of more than 1,000 films were whittled down with the help of Dogs Trust. The charity’s experts said feel-good, relaxing, and familiar content was a must-have, as it helps keep dogs’ owners calm, which in turn can help pooches relax too. Films that promote laughter and general positivity were essential, while anything with negatively-associated emotions and intense content were ruled out.

The final list of 21 includes blockbuster titles such as Barbie and Anyone But You – as well as comedy classics David Brent: Life on the Road and Step Brothers – which are guaranteed to put a smile on owners' faces. Classic, familiar, flicks include the iconic E.T., the Bridget Jones trilogy and Shrek 1.

Jamie Morris, Sky's Director of Content Strategy & Performance, said: "As a dog lover myself, I know all too well how stressful Bonfire Night can be. That's why we wanted to create something supportive to help dogs and their owners. Working with the experts at Dogs Trust and using their deep understanding of canine behaviour, we’ve delved into Sky Cinema’s extensive back catalogue of movie hits to ensure pets and owners alike get real comfort and support."