Sky and A+E Networks® forge enhanced long term partnership across Europe

London - 23 May, 2017 - A+E Networks® and Sky are delighted to announce the extension and strengthening of their long-term partnership by securing the distribution of A+E Networks’ portfolio of leading entertainment brands to Sky’s 22.4 million customers across the UK, Ireland, Italy, Germany and Austria.

With A+E’s commitment to increased investment in local productions across its European markets, Sky’s customers can look forward to more of their favourites 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.

Extending the partnership with A+E Networks ensures Sky continues to provide its customers with the best bought content to sit alongside Sky’s original productions. This pan-territory partnership encompasses A+E Networks’ six brands in Europe: HISTORY®; Lifetime®; Crime + Investigation®; H2®; A&E®; and BLAZE™. By treating partners’ brands and content as they would their own, Sky continues to be the partner of choice for channel providers.

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 TV in Italy, enhanced content offerings through Sky Go in the UK and Germany.

A+E Networks recently expanded its portfolio with the launch in March of entertainment brand BLAZE in Italy, available exclusively on Sky Italia. This is only the second territory to launch BLAZE since its global premier in the UK, where it launched as a free to air brand in September 2016.

Rob Webster, Group Director Partner Channels, Sky said:

“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. ”

Dean Possenniskie, Managing Director, EMEA, A+E Networks said:

“I am very pleased that we have created an enhanced long-term partnership with Sky across Europe. It further cements our important relationship and demonstrates A+E Networks’ commitment to delivering the highest quality brands and content to viewers across Europe.”

For more information:

Chris Westcott
Interim Head of Corporate & Financial Communications, Sky
skypress@sky.uk
Tel: 0333 100 233

Sarah Williams-Robbins
Head of Communications, A+E Networks UK
Sarah.williams-robbins@aetn.co.uk
Tel: 07972 876 924

About Sky

Sky is Europe's leading entertainment company, serving 22 million customers across five countries - UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy. The company has annual revenues of £12 billion and is Europe’s leading investor in television content with annual programming spend of over £5 billion.

From exclusive partnerships with HBO and Showtime, to Sky’s own original programming, Sky offers the best and broadest range of content along with the best viewing experience to suit each and every customer. Whether that’s through the multi-award winning next generation box, Sky Q, or Sky’s contract-free online streaming service, NOW TV, customers have access to the latest movies, drama, sports and kids entertainment wherever and whenever they like. This is all supported by Sky’s best in class customer service.

Sky’s success is not just based on what the company does but how it does it. Named as one of the Top 10 Green Companies in the World by Newsweek, one of the world’s most recognised rankings of business’s environmental performance, Sky ensures its responsible business strategy is embedded right across the group.

Sky has over 30,000 employees and is listed as one of The Times Top 50 employers for women. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (SKY).

A+E Networks in Italy

A+E Networks® Italy launched in February 2014 and is the first wholly-owned European branch of global media company A+E Networks®. Based in Rome, A+E Networks Italy broadcasts three HD channels on the Sky Pay TV platform: Crime + Investigation®, the first channel in Italy dedicated to real crime; HISTORY®, the first HD channel dedicated to historical content; and the new channel of factual entertainment, BLAZE™. A+E Networks Italy broadcasts into 4.7 million homes.

A+E Networks in Germany

A+E Networks Germany (THE HISTORY CHANNEL (Germany) GmbH & Co. KG) is a joint venture between A+E Networks and Universal Networks international. Its portfolio includes the quality factual channel HISTORY and the factual entertainment channel A&E. Both channels are broadcast in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The venture’s office is in Munich.

A+E Networks UK

A+E Networks® UK is a joint venture between A+E Networks® and Sky. Its portfolio of quality factual and entertainment channels includes HISTORY®, Lifetime®, Crime + Investigation®, H2® and new free-to-air channel BLAZE™. A+E Networks UK launched in November 1995 and now operates 18 channels, broadcasting into 56 million homes across 102 countries in the UK, Scandinavia, Benelux, Central & Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The venture has offices in London, Warsaw, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Johannesburg.