Sky1 Unveils Fall Slate

LONDON: A slate of series from Twentieth Century Fox International Distribution and the drama Sinbad from Impossible Pictures are among the highlights of Sky1’s fall slate unveiled today.

"As a team we’ve made a commitment to turn the channel into one that will not only give more value to current subscribers, but one which will also encourage those who don’t currently have Sky to get us," said Stuart Murphy, director of programs for Sky1 HD. “In just over a year we’ve shifted the budget around to put terrestrial levels of spend behind our commissioned shows…it means a focus on ‘less is more,’ commissioning fewer shows, which allows us to hire the best presenters, actors, writers, production teams and to create shows which have unquestionably high levels of quality.”

The deal with Fox brings to the pay-TV channel the new comedy Raising Hope as well as the dramas Ride-Along and Lone Star. Sarah Wright, acquisitions controller for entertainment, called the series "standouts from the L.A. Screenings—quite simply three of the best shows this year."

Another U.S. show headed to Sky is The Middle, courtesy of a deal with Warner Bros. International Television Distribution. The single-camera comedy launches in the U.K. this summer, building out a U.S. comedy slate that already includes Fox’s The Simpsons and Modern Family. Louisa Forsyth, acquisitions manager for entertainment, said of the sitcom: "It’s extremely funny and has been a big hit in the U.S., leading into Modern Family. Last week we announced Sky 1 HD’s first raft of U.K. comedies. This show adds to that momentum and the reputation Sky 1 HD has for bringing the best US and UK shows to the small screen. We feel this is one of the absolute best.”

In British fare, the slate is led by Sinbad, a 13×1-hour reimagining of the 8th century hero from Primeval producers Impossible Pictures. Announcing the commission, Elaine Pyke, head of drama, said, “Our Sinbad is 21, reckless, utterly charming and cursed. Mysticism, magic, monsters and high octane action adventure, this Sinbad is always exciting and sometimes challenging. This unique series will have the ambition of Lost, the pace of 24 and take the viewer to visually stunning locations on both sea and land. Sky’s Sinbad will be a multi-layered series for today’s prime-time audience.”

Rounding out the fall highlights are several entertainment and factual shows. There’s An Idiot Abroad, with Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant collaborator Karl Pilkington on a global voyage of discovery. In Coke Zero Street Striker, Wayne Rooney launches a new search for the U.K.’s best street footballer. The sports entertainment panel A League of Their Own will be back for a second season. Pulse Films has been commissioned to produce the eight-part Dogumentary, an ob-doc about dogs and their owners. Sky has also commissioned a one-off, Prince William and the Tusk Project, following the royal on a trip to Botswana. And Ross Kemp’s latest Sky series is Ross Kemp Extreme World, a five-parter covering some of the most violent regions in the world. Celia Taylor, head of factual and features at Sky1 HD, Sky1, Sky2 and Sky3, said the show "is set to be one of the most powerful series Sky1 HD has commissioned to date, and with Ross’ hands-on and brave approach to reporting, I know viewers will be absorbed and shocked by what he uncovers.”