HBO, Sky Extend Programming Deal

LONDON/NEW YORK: HBO has extended its programming pact with Sky, making Sky Atlantic the home of content from the premium channel in 21 million homes across Germany, Austria, Italy, the U.K. and Ireland.

The deal extends the pact HBO has had with Sky in the U.K. to all of the European pay-TV giant's operations. The deal, which runs until 2020, includes more HBO content on demand for all Sky customers across Europe. This is Sky's first pan-European content deal.

New HBO shows will air on Sky Atlantic first, and when possible simultaneously with the U.S. run. There will be more boxsets for customers, available for a longer period of time. All the episodes of current series will be available to view on catch up, stacked and to be watched as the series transmits. The deal covers HBO shows on Sky Go, the platform's mobile service. Customers of NOW TV and Sky Online, Sky's streaming services, can also see Sky Atlantic live or watch episodes on demand.

Gary Davey, the managing director of content at Sky, commented: “HBO continues to deliver many of the most talked-about and exciting TV shows anywhere in the world. This new agreement, Sky’s first pan-European content deal, confirms Sky Atlantic as the home of HBO in all our markets both live and on demand. Sky and HBO share many common values, as well as a passion for high-quality television like Game of Thrones and Veep. Our partnership, in its sixth year, now escalates to a whole new level. HBO has an amazing slate planned for 2016, including Vinyl and Westworld but it will also see the premiere of our first co-production together, The Young Pope starring Jude Law.”

Charles Schreger, the president of programming sales at HBO, added: “As a partner, Sky has always shown the greatest of respect and appreciation for the HBO brand. They have shined a spotlight on our original programming and treated the shows as preciously as if they were their own. This ongoing relationship has been rewarding and successful to both of us and this expansion is representative of the trust and admiration we have for them as well as a belief that we can elevate each other even further.”