Sky buys US prodco Jupiter

UK satellite broadcaster Sky has acquired a majority stake in US-based producer Jupiter Entertainment.

The 21^st Century Fox-backed broadcaster has taken 60% of Jupiter for an undisclosed amount.

Nineteen-year-old Jupiter is best known for TLC’s Myrtle Manor, Animal Planet’s Wild West Alaska, Oxygen’s Snapped and ID’s Homicide Hunter. It becomes the third prodco Sky has bought into after the purchase of 70% of Bake Off producer Love Production and a stake in Znak & Jones.

Jupiter – which has bases in Tennessee, New York and LA – has a first-look agreement with publisher Random House, which allows it to adapt the latter’s properties for non-scripted TV and digital.

It will retain its corporate structure within the Sky fold following the acquisition, and its existing agreements with broadcasters and distributors will remain unchanged.

Sky’s distribution arm, Sky Vision, will sell Jupiter shows on the international market going forwards, however. The unit already sells the wares of US prodcos Ugly Brother Studios.

“Sky is an ideal strategic partner,” said Jupiter CEO and executive producer Stephen Land (pictured). “Combining Jupiter’s strong domestic growth with Sky’s global reach creates thrilling possibilities.  We have ambitious growth plans and believe our employees and network partners will all benefit from this exciting combination.“

Sky Vision managing director Jane Millichip added Jupiter would “become an important partner for Sky Vision as we build our presence in the US market”.