Sky & HBO to Collaborate on Original Dramas, Extend Output Deal

LONDON: BSkyB and HBO are planning to co-develop and produce new original dramas as part of an expanded partnership between the two companies, which also renewed their output deal through 2020.

Under the terms of the pact, Sky Atlantic will remain the exclusive U.K. home for first-run HBO programs until 2020. The two will also work together to develop and produce new drama series for the U.K., Ireland and the U.S. The production of the commissioned series will be funded jointly by the two companies.

Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s chief executive, commented: “HBO is synonymous with must-see TV that pushes creative boundaries, so it’s no wonder that Sky Atlantic is such a hit with our customers. By expanding our relationship with HBO, we are strengthening our commitment to bring customers the very best content from around the world. Original production is the natural next step for our partnership with HBO and we are enormously excited at the prospect of working together to realize our shared vision for epic drama of a truly spectacular scale.”
 
Richard Plepler, the CEO of Home Box Office, added: “The deal with Sky was trailblazing in that it served as a model for similar arrangements we entered into around the world, with Sky Atlantic held up as the gold standard. The team at Sky are true partners and the extension and expansion of our relationship feels like an obvious next step.  We are proud to have HBO programming remain a part of the Sky offering and excited to add to it with our joint undertaking in new production.”