HBO Fare Heads to Sky

LONDON: Sky has become the exclusive home of HBO shows in the U.K. and Ireland as part of a multi-year output deal announced today that kicks off with the new Martin Scorsese series Boardwalk Empire.

Under the terms of the agreement, HBO-commissioned titles will air exclusive, in HD, on Sky’s channels. Boardwalk Empire, the Prohibition-era drama from Scorsese and Terence Winter starring Steve Buscemi, Michael Pitt and Kelly Macdonald, will roll out in the U.K. shortly after its U.S. debut in September. Sky will also air Game of Thrones, the fantasy drama based on the series of books A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin, Luck, executive produced by David Milch and Michael Mann and starring Dustin Hoffman. Sky will also air future seasons of Entourage and Big Love. In addition to the linear airings, HBO titles will be carried on the soon-to-launch Sky Anytime+ on-demand platform, including library fare such as The Sopranos and Six Feet Under. Further, Sky will have right of first negotiation on all future HBO U.K. co-productions.

Sophie Turner Laing, Sky’s managing director for entertainment, news and broadcast operations, noted, “We are committed to bringing customers the best possible choice of pay content, whether that’s through original U.K. production or the best of the U.S. Like HBO, we believe that innovative, high-quality content is worth paying for.  We are therefore delighted to have partnered with one of the most renowned names in television. HBO has demonstrated year after year the opportunity for pay television to push creative boundaries and create must see TV. “

Charles Schreger, HBO’s president of programming sales, added: “We are enormously encouraged by the ongoing success story of pay TV in the U.K. and Ireland and it makes sense for us strategically to find a partner who can sustain a real commitment to investing in content. We believe that Sky customers are in for a real treat with the spectacular shows currently in production such as Boardwalk Empire, as well as new seasons of established HBO favorites.”

In other Sky news, the platform has announced a significant U.K. comedy investment, following its success with original drama commissions like Martina Cole’s The Take, Skellig, Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal and Chris Ryan’s Strike Back. The comedy drive is being led by Lucy Lumsden, head of comedy, who has more than 20 titles in development, together with Stuart Murphy, director of programs at Sky 1 HD, Sky 1, 2 and 3. The new slate includes Stella from Ruth Jones, the co-writer and co-star of Gavin and Stacey, for an early 2012 launch; and the dramedy Mount Pleasant from Tiger Aspect Productions for a fall premiere. Other titles lined up include This Is Jinsy for summer 2011 and Little Crackers.

Lumsden said, “It’s been an exciting time spreading the good news about Sky’s investment in comedy and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to attract a wealth of comedy talent. Sky’s investment in original comedy is testament to our long term commitment in original, scripted programming. We’re providing a home for on and off-screen talent to flex their creative muscle; somewhere for their work to be nurtured.”

Murphy added: “It’s great to be working with Lucy again. She is the leader in her field and has made sure that customers benefit from her considerable experience, brilliant contacts and revolting sense of humor. This is just the start of Sky homes getting more comedy in addition to the brilliant Modern Family and The Simpsons. Lucy’s managed to hire a lot of very familiar faces, plus This Is Jinsy which is a clear example of Sky bringing on new comedy talent."