Sky, WarnerMedia expand partnership

Dame Helen Mirren in Sky and HBO copro Catherine the Great

European satcaster Sky and US media giant WarnerMedia have expanded their partnership to include new programming and copro agreements.

Sky production arm Sky Studios will work with the programming team at HBO Max, WarnerMedia’s forthcoming SVoD service, to produce premium drama series for both companies’ customers in a multi-year coproduction deal.

Sky and HBO’s most recent coproduction, Catherine the Great starring Helen Mirren, premiered to critical acclaim earlier this month. Other previous copros between the pair include Chernobyl, which won 10 Emmys last month.

In addition, the two companies have struck a deal that will offer customers of Sky and its OTT service Now TV content from WarnerMedia brands HBO, Warner Bros and Turner. It also includes more content from WarnerMedia’s Cartoon Network and Boomerang for Sky’s VoD outlets.

Sky and HBO first reached an output agreement in 2010, making Sky the home of HBO content in Europe.

Sky Studios CEO Gary Davey said: “Our partnership with HBO, and now WarnerMedia, 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 of WarnerMedia’s 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.”

Sky Studios was formed earlier this year as part of the company’s commitment to doubling investment in original content over the next five years.