New McKillop prodco pacts with Sky Vision

Former A&E controller and Propagate Content co-founder David McKillop has resurfaced with a production pact with UK distributor Sky Vision and its New York subsidiary, Jupiter Entertainment.

McKillop’s new prodco, Europa, will be housed in Jupiter’s Manhattan offices. It will, however, function as an independent producer that aims to produce scripted and factual series.

McKillop had launched LA-based Propagate with former National Geographic Channel president Howard T. Owens after exiting his post as executive VP and general manager of US cable channel A&E two years ago.

However, he returned to New York as former NBCUniversal Entertainment chairman Ben Silverman exited his prodco, Electus, to joined Owens at Propagate as co-CEO.

Propagate this week hired Electus’ Cyrus Farrokh to become its first international distribution president.

Europa debuts with development projects with History Channel, which is part of A&E parent A+E Networks, Discovery Communications and National Geographic.

A key focused will be development of “high-quality documentary and hybrid scripted-style programs for select cable networks and online distributors”.

Jupiter, meanwhile, sold a majority stake to the content distribution arm of European pay TV business Sky in March 2015.

”Having worked with David for many years, I can attest that he is one of the most gifted creatives in the entertainment industry and an ideal partner for Jupiter,” said Stephen Land, CEO and executive producer of Jupiter, which h has produced shows such as TLC’s Myrtle Manor, Animal Planet’s Wild West Alaska, Oxygen’s Snapped and ID’s Homicide Hunter

“David McKillop is one of the smartest people in the business, and Jupiter is one of the smartest companies,” added Jane Millichip, managing director of Sky Vision. “David takes brilliant ideas and turns them into inclusive, populist television. Alongside the commercial and strategic nous of Sky Vision, this promises to be a terrific partnership.”

McKillop is best known for developing Duck Dynasty, which became A&E’s highest-rating series since launch. He also worked at History as senior VP, development and programming, helping to create and launch Pawn Stars and greenlighting scripted series Hatfields & McCoys.