Sky 1 HD announces today (7th June) JOHN BISHOP’S ONLY JOKING– a stand up comedy show that deals unashamedly in jokes and nothing but jokes. Hosted by the much loved John Bishop, the 10 x 30’ series is a Lola Entertainment / Channel X for Sky 1 HD.  Filming will begin later in the summer on location and in front of a studio audience.

JOHN BISHOP’S ONLY JOKING will unite Sky customers across the UK and Ireland, as seasoned comedians, celebrities and members of the public deliver a fast paced barrage of favourite jokes.  John Bishop will hold court in the studio as he is joined by a number of stellar comedians, both new, established and old school.  Meanwhile, the cameras will travel the length and breadth of the country to hear members of the public and celebrities alike tell us their funniest jokes.

Commissioned by Phil Edgar Jones for Sky 1 HD, JOHN BISHOP’S ONLY JOKING is produced by Lola Entertainment and Channel X. The Executive Producers are John Bishop and Lisa Thomas for Lola Entertainment, Jim Reid and Alan Marke for Channel X, and Antonia Hurford-Jones for Sky 1 HD. The Series Producer is Jonno Richards and Director is Paul Wheeler.

John Bishop, Host and Executive Producer for Lola Entertainment, says, “This is a great opportunity to make a show that allows everyone to join in the joke. I’m really looking forward to working with everyone involved.”

Phil Edgar Jones, Head of Entertainment for Sky, says, “If there’s one person who’s guaranteed to put a smile on our faces, it’s John Bishop.  We’re thrilled to be working with him, and the team at Lola Entertainment and Channel X on this exciting new show which will, almost literally, deliver a laugh a minute.”

Jim Reid, Director of Programmes, Channel X, says, “This is the dream commission; fill 30 minutes of TV with top quality jokes and have John Bishop lead out the team to do so.”

This latest commission is part of Sky's commitment to increase its investment in original British content by 50% over the next three years. By 2014, Sky expects to invest £600 million a year in British programmes across its portfolio of channels.  This commitment follows the success of home-grown comedies such as TROLLIED, SPY and STELLA, entertainment hits GOT TO DANCE and A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, dramas such as STRIKE BACK and MAD DOGS, and factual shows including ROSS KEMP EXTREME WORLD, AN IDIOT ABROAD and the BAFTA-winning documentary FLYING MONSTERS 3D.

Further information:
Sarah Aspinall

Senior Publicist, Sky 1 HD

Sarah.aspinall@bskyb.com / 020 7032 1488

www.skypressoffice.com

Follow us on Twitter @sky1insider

About Sky

Sky entertains and excites more than 10.4 million homes through the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. Sky continues to break new ground with its own portfolio of channels: Sky 1 combines its commitment to UK production with the best of the US; Sky Living pushes ahead with fresh and innovative entertainment formats; Sky Arts is the UK's only dedicated arts channel brand; Sky Atlantic is the home to HBO and other iconic drama and comedy, Sky Sports is still raising the bar in sports broadcasting; Sky News remains a pioneer in television news; and Sky Movies is leading the way in High Definition and on-demand.

Sky also works with dozens of other broadcasters on the satellite platform, as well as online and on mobile through the ground-breaking Sky Go service.  Sky has also led the UK into the age of high definition television, launched Europe's first 3DTV channel, Sky 3D, and offers customer even more flexibility and choice through Sky Anytime+, its internet-delivered video on demand service.   Since launching Sky Broadband and Sky Talk in 2006, the company has also been the UK's fastest-growing home communications provider.

Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates, not least by increasing participation in, and access to, the arts, supporting grassroots sports, and taking positive action on the environment.

About Sky 1 HD:

Sky 1 HD is the most watched non-terrestrial channel in Sky homes, attracting more than 20m unique viewers every month and, according to the latest tracker results (October – December, 2011), was the third highest valued channel amongst all Sky subscribers behind only BBC1 and ITV1.

Sky 1 HD distinguishes itself from rival networks with original drama and comedy, talked about entertainment formats, distinctive factual programming and award-winning exclusive US drama.

For further information please contact

Sarah Aspinall - Senior Publicist, Sky
T:
E: Sarah.Aspinall@bskyb.com