The Day of the Jackal becomes the biggest new series launch ever on Sky

Sky today announced that The Day of the Jackal has officially been marked as the biggest new series to ever launch on Sky, by any supplier, with the first episode reaching an audience of 4.5 million (after 26 viewing days). Having already claimed the accolade for the biggest Sky Original ever, the series has two episodes yet to air, with the finale set to hit screens on 12^th December.

According to Barb, seven of the top ten Sky shows this year were Sky Originals productions, (based on the official Barb 28-day series average*).

2024 has seen Sky Original drama achieve its best performance in Sky’s history, delivering record-breaking audiences drawn to its blockbuster slate. The Tattooist of Auschwitz, Sweetpea, and The Day of the Jackal all launched to audiences of over 2 million.

This year also saw a number of other achievements for Sky Originals, including its highest-rated premium documentary series ever (The Body Next Door); its largest theatrical release to date (Lee); best comedy launch for three years (Mr Bigstuff); Sky Nature’s biggest audience for two years (Secret World of Sound with David Attenborough); and the biggest ever overnight audience for a Sky Arts show (Portrait Artist of the Year S11).

Cécile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios & Chief Content Officer for Sky, said:

“2024 has been an extraordinary year for Sky’s original programming across all genres. We’ve delivered an unmissable line up of shows, exemplifying our renewed strategic focus on creating premium content that we are truly proud of.

This year marks our best performing year for Sky Original drama in our history, which is particularly gratifying at a time when audiences are spoiled for choice. It’s a privilege to bring Sky customers such compelling, high-calibre programming, and I’m excited to show our audiences what is coming next."

Sky’s  bumper year is set to close with an epic line-up of festive original content, including 2024 Christmas special Bad Tidings starring Chris McCausland, Lee Mack and Rebekah Staton; Steven Frayne’s (formerly Dynamo) mind-blowing new show, Miracles; a raucous special of comedy quiz show, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and a festive edition of Rob & Romesh vs, where the boys enter their darts era ahead of this year’s World Championship.

Notes to Editors

*Sky Top Ten Show Ranking 2024 (YTD) – source: Barb 28-day series average

1. The Day of the Jackal (Sky)
2. House of the Dragon S2 (HBO)
3. True Detective S4 (HBO)
4. Sweetpea (Sky)
5. The Tattooist of Auschwitz (Sky)
6. The Body Next Door (Sky)
7. Rob & Romesh vs F1 (Sky)
8. Rob & Romesh vs… S7 (Sky)
9. Brassic S6 (Sky)
10. The Penguin (HBO)