Sky extends content partnership with WarnerMedia
October 30, 2019
Sky and WarnerMedia, the home of HBO, Turner and Warner Bros, have expanded their longstanding partnership to include new programming and co-production agreements.
The two companies have agreed an extension to their programming deals across Sky’s European markets, meaning Sky and NOW TV customers will have access to content from HBO and Warner Bros as well as from Turner channels for many years to come.
Sky and HBO first agreed to an output deal in 2010, making Sky the home of HBO in Europe. The partnership has seen HBO content such as Watchmen, Succession and Big Little Lies, alongside acclaimed Sky original productions such as Patrick Melrose, Babylon Berlin and Gomorrah on Sky’s exclusive channel Sky Atlantic.
The new expanded deal also extends the pay-TV rights for Warner Bros first-run feature films, as well richer on-demand content under the Cartoon Network and Boomerang brands.
In addition, Sky and WarnerMedia have agreed to extend their longstanding co-production partnership in a new deal that will see Sky Studios and HBO Max collaborate on more original content for viewers. Their co-production Chernobyl picked up 10 wins at last month’s Emmy Awards making itthe most-awarded British series this year. Sky and HBO’s latest co-production, Catherine the Great starring Helen Mirren was broadcast to critical acclaim earlier this month.
Building on the relationship with HBO, Sky Studios will now also work with WarnerMedia’s HBO Max programming team to produce premium drama and scripted entertainment for Sky and HBO customers across Europe and beyond, as part of a multi-year co-production deal.
This follows on from the launch of Sky Studios, the new creative home of Sky originals, earlier this year, with a commitment to more than double Sky’s investment in original content over the next five years.
Gary Davey, CEO Sky Studios, said: “Our partnership with HBO, and now Warner Media, has never been stronger as Sky continues to thrive as Europe’s leading direct-to-consumer media and entertainment business. Customers love our Sky original productions and together, Sky Studios and HBO Max will bring them more unique stories that you can’t find anywhere else.”
Jeffrey R. Schlesinger, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution, added: “We are thrilled to find new ways to deepen our longstanding relationship with Sky, and bring a fresh dimension to the great content we continue to bring to consumers.”