Partnership to create minimum of two projects per year over three years

Sky has teamed with fellow European pay-TV giant Canal+ to co-create high-end English-language dramas.

The deal, described as “a strategic co-commissioning partnership”, aims to create premium shows “bringing together complementary creative expertise, shared investment and international reach to support ambitious storytelling.” The agreement includes a minimum of two projects per year over an initial three-year term, with projects co-financed and using the produciton capabilities of StudioCanal and indies.

The first slate of projects are in the works and will be confirmed in the coming months, with the deal coming six months after Canal+ hired former Sky Studios exec Paul Gilbert to lead English-language series at production division StudioCanal. 

“The collaborative model is designed to support wide distribution, reaching audiences across Europe and beyond, and providing a strong route to market for UK-led stories with international resonance,” the companies said.

Canal+ chief exec Maxime Saada described the pact as an “ambitious new partnership with Sky to develop English-speaking drama”.

Saada added: “Our previous co-productions, like The Young Pope and ZeroZeroZero, are great examples of what we can do together through this complementary and ambitious new partnership.”

Dana Strong, group chief exec at Sky, added: “Sky and Canal+ share a strong track record in creating premium drama, and through this collaboration we will bring our creative ambition and expertise together at scale.”