Sky Studios signs up Merman TV

Merman’s Catastrophe stars Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney

Sky Studios, the production division of the European satcaster, has signed a funding and first-look distribution deal with Catastrophe producer Merman TV.

The deal is for two years and will include development funding for the UK-based firm set up by Sharon Horgan and Clelia Mountford.

The companies previously worked together on Frayed, a coproduction for ABC in Australia, and will now develop scripted projects in comedy and drama.

All projects emerging from the partnership will be distributed by NBCUniversal Global Distribution, which subsumed Sky’s sales arm, Sky Vision, earlier this year following Comcast’s takeover of Sky.

Last year Merman agreed a first-look production deal with global streaming service Amazon.

Sky Studios was formed in June by the Comcast-owned satcaster as it aims to double its level of original production.

It is led by CEO Gary Davey who said: “When we launched Sky Studios we said we wanted to work with Europe’s top creatives, and that’s exactly what Sharon and Clelia are.

“Together, they have a unique ability to take a sideways look at the ordinary and make it outrageously funny while making you care deeply about their characters along the way.”