Sky and A+E Networks extend agreement across Europe
James R | On 26, May 2017
A+E Networks and Sky have extended and strengthened their long-term partnership this week. The renewed deal will see Sky distribute the US network’s portfolio to Sky’s 22.4 million customers across the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany and Austria.
The pan-territory partnership encompasses A+E Networks’ six brands in Europe: HISTORY, Lifetime, Crime + Investigation, H2, A&E, and BLAZE. (The latter launched in Italy this March available exclusively on Sky Italia, the second territory to launch BLAZE since its global premiere in the UK, where it launched as a free to air brand in September 2016.) With A+E’s commitment to increased investment in local productions across its European markets, Sky’s customers can look forward to programmes such as Ronnie O’Sullivan’s American Hustle and Britain’s Next Top Model in the UK; Mafia Queens in Italy; and History Hunters (Wigald & Fritz – Die Geschichtsjäger) in Germany. In addition, A+E Studios’ acclaimed re-imagining of iconic TV series Roots comes to HISTORY in the UK this summer, following its recent premieres on HISTORY in Italy and Germany and the BBC in the UK.
The partnership also enables Sky customers to access A+E Network’s brands and content via non-linear platforms, including through Sky’s OTT service NOW in Italy and enhanced content offerings through Sky Go in the UK and Germany.
Rob Webster, Group Director Partner Channels, Sky says: “It’s great to have built on Sky’s decade-long relationship with A+E with this pan-European partnership. Customers across all of our regions continue to enjoy world-class content thanks to Sky’s partnerships with companies like A+E who trust us to treat their brands and content as if they were our own.”