6 x 60’ exclusively for Sky Atlantic HD

As part of Sky’s commitment to investing in innovative programming for its customers, Sky Atlantic HD today (Thursday 10th May) announces a brand new documentary series following a group of Jewish bikers crossing Canada and the USA in remembrance of the Holocaust. JEWS ON BIKES is produced by Back2Back Productions, and tells the heart-warming and uplifting story of a group of British bikers as they fly to Toronto for a once in a lifetime journey. Filming will begin later in May and the series will transmit exclusively on Sky Atlantic later this year.

Every year, legions of Jewish biker clubs from across the USA, Canada and other countries join together for ‘The Ride to Remember’. The event takes place in Toronto in June and is organised by the Jewish Motorcycle Alliance to raise funds to support Holocaust education courses, as well as giving the bikers the opportunity to spend time together and pay tribute to their fallen ancestors. JEWS ON BIKES will follow the British bikers as they fly for the first time to Toronto for the event before joining some of the US bikers on their road trip home. Our bikers will continue across the USA for three weeks in a journey that will bring them into contact with some extraordinary people and cultures. The series will provide a unique insight into the biker’s world, religion and community, taking a look at what it means to the bikers to be Jewish and how their lives would differ without their beliefs.

Naomi Gibney, Director of Sky Atlantic, says “We’re delighted to be working with Back2Back Productions on this documentary series that explores culture, community, character, faith and food. Investment in innovative factual programmes is a key priority in delivering immersive storytelling to our customers.”

Siobhan Mulholland, Commissioning Editor, Factual and Features, says “Jews on Bikes is a fun, informative observational documentary series looking into the Jewish biking community. It’s a chance for Sky customers to gain an insight into a religion, culture and hobby all rolled into one. It’s a privilege to have this access.”

David Notman-Watt, MD, Back2Back Productions, says, “Travelling across the USA on a Harley with a gang of North London Jewish bikers is not an opportunity that comes along that often. Our cast includes a female rabbi, an Orthodox businessman, and a tattooed father of ten – and with them we will be exploring Judaism, American culture and bikes. We are extremely proud to be creating what will be a truly unique piece of television.”

JEWS ON BIKES is the latest commission from Sky Atlantic HD following 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. Sky Atlantic HD is to be a major part of that charge by commissioning bold, authored pieces with strong narrative stories across a range of genres including drama, comedy and factual. Its stellar schedule includes Hit & Miss, created by Paul Abbott and starring Chloe Sevigny, City Secrets hosted by Alan Cumming as well as Great Britain: Our Story, the channel’s first foray into high-end factual.

JEWS ON BIKES is a Back2Back production for Sky Atlantic HD. The series is executive produced by Siobhan Mulholland for Sky Atlantic HD and David Notman-Watt for Back2Back Productions.

For further information please contact

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

Notes to editor

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