Shows around the world that had been put on hold because of Covid-19 are resuming production, as companies and broadcasters begin to get to grips with new protocols and workarounds. Here are six takeaways from the past week that point to a brighter future. Great white hope Scripted production might still be off the cards […]
Sky has partnered up with Fremantle’s Italian producer Wildside on a drama about Italian football star Francesco Totti. Speravo De Mori Prima – The Series About Francesco Totti is being produced by Wildside’s Mario Gianani, with Virginia Valsecchi’s Capri Entertainment, The New Life Company and fellow Fremantle firm Kwaï also onboard. The six-part show – […]
NBCUniversal’s (NBCU) fledgling streamer Peacock landed into a crowded US streaming market today, leaning on a free-to-view tier featuring over 13,000 hours of programming. The AVOD and SVOD service was initially rolled out to select users in the US in April, with senior execs admitting that Covid-19 had had a “significant” impact on its launch […]
Sky’s new large-scale UK production facility, Sky Studios Elstree, has secured planning permission, enabling the pay TV operator to proceed with construction works, following a unanimous decision by Hertsmere Borough Council. Sky’s investment in the facility is being backed by its owner Comcast and is in partnership with sister-company NBCUniversal. Legal & General will be […]
UK-based pay TV operator Sky has taken 100% control of Bake Off creator Love Productions. The deal, revealed in the company’s annual accounts yesterday, was completed in February and sees Sky Ventures acquiring the remaining 30% stake in the firm it did not already own. Sky’s first investment in Love came in 2014 when the […]
Monkey moves for MC Grammar NBCUniversal International Studios-owned prodco Monkey has struck a co-development deal with YouTube star MC Grammar (aka Jacob Mitchell). The agreement with MC Grammar – a primary school teacher who uses rap and rhyme to teach children the English language – will see him work with Monkey to co-develop and produce original […]
Comcast-owned broadcaster Sky has signed a new carriage deal with Discovery across the UK, Ireland, Germany and Austria. The agreement includes linear channel distribution, video on demand, direct to consumer products, and extension of the advertising relationship. It means that Discovery’s portfolio of channels, including Discovery Channel, will continue to be available across the Sky […]
Factual production outfit Zinc Media Group has launched a new division to create brand-funded programming and appointed former Sky exec Dominic de Terville to run it. The unit, which comes amid falling programming budgets at commercial broadcasters, is designed to tap into potential new revenue models and will focus on producing brand-funded unscripted content across […]
Comcast has said it will spend $100m to fight inequality as part of a multiyear program, which will also see its European pay operator Sky launch a series of initiatives to tackle racism. Brian Roberts, Comcast CEO, said $75m in cash would be available to create programs that will “drive meaningful change” in addition to […]
The Comcast-owned, UK media group Sky has revealed a slate of nine new original documentaries ahead of the launch of its new factual channels, Sky Documentaries and Sky Nature next week. The two new channels, alongside the rebranded Sky History, go live on 27 May with the new documentaries currently in production and set to […]
