Sky Studios takes command of Das Boot

Bavaria Fiction and Sky Deutschland copro Das Boot

CONTENT LONDON: Sky Studios, the commissioning and production arm of the European satcaster, is taking on the deficit funding and international distribution of wartime drama Das Boot.

A second season of the Bavaria Fiction and Sky Deutschland coproduction, a reboot of the 1981 movie, will air next year.

The first run was sold into more than 100 territories worldwide by US-based Sonar Entertainment, but Comcast-owned Sky has now taken over the rights, which will be handled on its behalf by NBCUniversal Global Distribution.

The new deal covers international rights to S1 for all future windows, as well as rights to all forthcoming seasons from two onwards.

In a statement, Sky Studios said the move signalled its ambition to create an entrepreneurial studio that attracts the best creative talent and stories from across Europe, bringing together production, distribution and content partnerships.

Earlier this week Sky also announced its intention to build Sky Studios Elstree, a 32-acre, state-of-the-art TV and film facility just north of London.

Jane Millichip, chief commercial officer at Sky Studios, said: “Sky Deutschland’s phenomenally successful and creatively ambitious evolution of the Das Boot story has proven to be a critical and commercial hit around the world. This deal is a great example of the agile approach Sky Studios is taking to partnership and collaboration with Europe’s top creatives and we are pleased to be working even more closely with our partners at Bavaria Fiction.”

Marcus Ammon, director original production at Sky Deutschland, said: “Das Boot has been a critical and ratings success with audiences at home and around the world. Now, with the support of Sky Studios, we are able to further showcase German creativity and storytelling on a global stage.”