Lost finale scheduled for 5am UK simulcast to beat web pirates

Sky1 is to broadcast the finale of Lost at 5am on Monday 24 May, as a simulcast with ABC's broadcast on the US west coast. The unprecedented scheduling move aims to prevent illegal internet downloads of the finale – and save UK fans of the show from having to spend five days dodging web spoilers. Sky1 was planning to transmit the two-and-a-half hour finale to the US drama in its normal 9pm slot next Friday, 28 May, before today deciding to join broadcasters in six other countries in simulcasting the show. ABC will broadcast the double episode, called The End, on Sunday night from 9pm on the east coast – 2am in the UK. Sky1's broadcast will be simulcast at the same time as the US west coast transmission, which is 5am in the UK. The End will also simulcast on Sky1 HD at 5am. Sky1 is to repeat the finale on Tuesday, 25 May, at 9pm and again next Friday in its normal slot. Broadcasters in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Israel, Turkey and Canada will also simulcast the Lost finale. Stuart Murphy, Sky1's director of programmes, said: "We are proud of the fact that at Sky1 HD we have a long tradition of running all of our US shows as close as possible to their US transmission date. With something as hotly anticipated as the Lost finale, it makes sense to show it at exactly the same time as millions across America will see it." • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".