Sky, Atlantic build 3D Colossus

UK satcaster BSkyB’s 3D channel has formed a joint venture with indie Atlantic Productions and secured output deals with Disney, MTV and Discovery.

The Atlantic tie-up, described by Sky as a “multi-million pound deal,” has created Colossus Productions. The prodco will develop original 3D content that premieres on the Sky 3D channel before being distributed to other platforms and territories.

London-based Atlantic will remain a separate company but will now produce only traditional 2D docs. CEO Anthony Geffen keeps his role but also becomes creative director at Colossus, which will produce exclusively in 3D.

Sky 3D and Atlantic have collaborated in recent years on programmes including David Attenborough-fronted docs Flying Monsters 3D, The Bachelor King 3D (fka Penguins 3D) and another looking at the flora and fauna of London’s Kew Gardens.

Colossus’s creation comes as Sky this year committed itself to increase the amount it invests in original UK programming by 50% to £600m (US$976m) a year by 2014.

“Working alongside Anthony and his talented team will help us continue to deliver the highest quality home-grown 3D content to our growing number of 3D subscribers,” said Sky 3D director John Cassy.

Sky 3D has also signed an exclusive output deal with MTV Networks, which follows on from a similar one struck with Discovery 3D earlier this week. The MTV deal covers episodes from the Viacom-owned channel’s World Stage 3D series, which includes performances from rapper Snoop Dogg and rockers Kings of Leon.

“We want to help the UK become a global leader in 3D TV and this deal demonstrates the depth of our commitment,” said Cassy.

The UK satcaster has also expanded its output deal with Disney for new 3D titles such as Toy Story 3, Tron: Legacy and Alice in Wonderland. Sky was one of three UK networks to close deals giving it access to Discovery Networks’ 3D content earlier this week.

Discovery operates a 3D channel in the US with Imax and Sony and was awarded a 3D broadcast licence in the UK last year, as revealed by C21. But it is yet to make any official announcements regarding a local channel.

Sky 3D launched last October as Europe’s first 3D channel.