Sky Studios acquires first prodco stake

Sky Studios, the fledgling content division of European satcaster Sky, has acquired a minority stake in a UK-based natural history producer.

Wendy Darke

The company has taken a 24.9% stake in True to Nature (TTN), which is based in Bristol and was founded in 2016 by the former head of the BBC’s Natural History Unit, Dr Wendy Darke.

Sky Studios said it would provide TTN with the support needed to accelerate its growth and become a leading international developer of wildlife shows.

While retaining full creative independence, TTN will also work with Sky Studios to develop content for distribution on the Sky platforms.

TTN’s slate of premium factual series includes Expedition with Steve Backshall, a 10-part series currently airing on UKTV channel Dave, as well as Undiscovered Worlds with Steve Backshall on the BBC.

Other productions this year include Planet of Volcanoes on PBS, ZDF and Arte, as well as five-part series Gangs of Lemur Island, made for Love Nature and the Smithsonian Channel.

Following completion of the deal, financial details of which were not disclosed, Darke’s editorial and production team will be strengthened and expanded, Sky Studios added.

The investment is the first to be made by Sky Studios, with the Comcast-owned pay TV operator planning to double its investment in original content through the new development and production arm, where Gary Davey is CEO and Jane Millichip is chief commercial officer.