You've probably been there. You're scrolling through your TV guide, looking for that specific hit of 90s nostalgia or a gritty thriller to cap off a Tuesday night, and you realize the Sony Movies channel schedule isn't where it used to be. Or worse, the channel name itself has vanished into a digital puff of smoke.
TV branding is messy. Honestly, it's a bit of a headache for anyone who just wants to watch The Mask of Zorro without a three-step research project.
In the US, the "Sony Movies" brand still exists as a dedicated cable and satellite staple. But if you’re reading this from the UK or parts of Europe, that name is technically history. It was swallowed up and rebranded into the "GREAT!" network a few years back. Because of this, half the people searching for the schedule are actually looking for two completely different things depending on which side of the Atlantic they're sitting on.
The Reality of the Sony Movies Channel Schedule Today
If you are in the United States, Sony Movies is very much alive. It’s tucked away on providers like DirecTV (Channel 568), Dish (Channel 386), and Philo. The schedule is basically a love letter to the massive Sony Pictures library.
We’re talking Columbia Pictures, TriStar, and Screen Gems.
Wait. Why does that matter?
It matters because the schedule follows a very specific "vibe." Unlike TNT or FX, which pivot hard into original series, Sony Movies sticks to the hits. On any given Friday in January 2026, you might see a morning block of westerns followed by a heavy-hitting afternoon of Donnie Brasco or Ike: Countdown to D-Day.
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A Quick Peek at the Current Rotation
Right now, the 2026 lineup is leaning heavily into "The Vault" style programming.
- Morning Slots: Usually reserved for classic dramas or "Paid Programming" blocks (the inevitable reality of cable).
- Prime Time: This is where you find the heavy hitters like Takers or Vacancy.
- Late Night: Often features cult thrillers or action flicks from the early 2000s.
The schedule isn't static. It’s highly curated. Sony knows they own a century of film, so they rotate themes. One week it’s "Planet Action," featuring high-octane Benedict Cumberbatch or Will Smith flicks; the next, it's all about 80s rom-coms.
Why the UK Schedule is a Different Beast
Let's address the elephant in the room for British viewers. If you're looking for the Sony Movies channel schedule on Freeview or Sky in the UK, you won't find it under that name. Narrative Capital bought the channels from Sony back in 2021.
They rebranded everything to GREAT! movies.
It’s the same frequency, the same slot on your EPG (Electronic Programme Guide), and largely the same movies, but the "Sony" name is gone. Currently, the GREAT! network has branched out even further. You’ve got GREAT! Action, GREAT! Romance, and the newer GREAT! Mystery which actually replaced the linear version of GREAT! Movies in some regions late last year.
Basically, if you want the schedule for what used to be Sony Movies in London or Manchester, you need to be looking at the GREAT! Network's "Red Button" service or their updated 2026 FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) channels.
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How to Actually Find the Schedule Without Losing Your Mind
Digital EPGs are notoriously laggy. If you're trying to plan your week, checking the actual TV is a chore.
- The Official Hub: For US viewers,
sonymovies.com/scheduleis the only place that is 100% accurate. It accounts for Eastern vs. Pacific time zones, which is usually where people get tripped up. - The "GREAT" Alternative: In the UK, you’ll want to head to
greatnetwork.com. They’ve integrated an "On Demand" service called GREAT! Player, which is helpful if you missed the linear broadcast. - FAST Channels: This is the big shift for 2026. Sony launched "Sony One" across Europe—a massive portfolio of 54 free streaming channels. These have their own distinct schedules on platforms like Samsung TV Plus and LG Channels.
The Streaming Conflict: Netflix vs. Linear TV
Here is something most people miss. Sony just inked a massive global deal with Netflix in mid-January 2026. This deal keeps Netflix as the "Pay-1" window home for Sony’s theatrical releases.
What does that mean for the Sony Movies channel schedule?
It means the absolute newest blockbusters—think the latest Spider-Man or Venom installments—won't hit the linear Sony Movies channel for a long time. They go to theaters, then to digital rental, then they live on Netflix for 18 months. Only after that do they trickle down to the curated cable schedules.
So, if you’re checking the schedule hoping to see a movie that was in theaters six months ago, you’re looking in the wrong place. The channel is a "catalogue" home. It’s where you go for Bad Boys (1995), not necessarily the one that just came out.
Actionable Steps for the Movie Hunter
Stop guessing when your favorite flick is on.
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First, identify your region. If you’re US-based, bookmark the Sony Movies site. If you’re UK-based, delete your old Sony bookmarks and switch to the GREAT! Network site.
Second, check the "Theme of the Week." Sony Movies often bundles films. If you see Jerry Maguire on Monday, there’s a 90% chance As Good As It Gets is playing on Wednesday. They group by actor or director to keep people tuned in.
Third, leverage your hardware. If you have a Sony Bravia TV or a PlayStation, use the "Sony Pictures Core" app. It often has a "Channel" feature that mimics the linear schedule but in much higher bitrates than standard cable.
The "Sony Movies channel schedule" is basically a moving target in 2026. Between the Narrative Capital rebrand in the UK and the new Sony One FAST channels in Europe, the brand is fractured but the content is everywhere. You just have to know which name it's hiding under today.