That’s Entertainment: Sky’s unscripted entertainment slate grows with new series from Joe Lycett and triumphant returns for Rob & Romesh and the A League of their Own gang

Sky is announcing a knockout lineup for entertainment today with an unmissable spread of Sky Originals on their way to Sky Max. BAFTA-nominated duo Rob & Romesh will take on their best set of challenges yet and the A League of Their Own team are starting their engines for a one-off race across Europe. Joe Lycett will burst onto the Sky scene to explore Birminghams across the globe, and we’ve more stand-up specials than ever before.

Drum roll please!

Rob & Romesh Vs Series 7

This summer, Sky’s much-loved duo - Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan – are back to throw themselves into a new set of unknown worlds that will put their friendship to the test. They’ll return to Vegas and team up with the UFC to explore the world of mixed martial arts and rev up their death growls as they tackle Heavy Metal at its UK heartland, Download Festival. They’ll also take on Wildlife as they go behind the lens and test out their photography skills as part of the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year, and they’ll dive into Hollywood to see how they fare in the world of Hollywood Stunts. Rob & Rom will also head to Alexandra Palace to try their hand at the nation’s newest favourite sport, Darts, for a one-off special early next year.

Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham

It’s no secret that Joe Lycett adores Brum, but his hometown is having a tough time of it. In his self-appointed role as the second city’s ambassador and with the blessing of the actual Lord Mayor of Birmingham, everyone’s favourite comedy activist is on a mission to put Birmingham firmly back on the map – in fact, all over the map.

To do that, Joe is heading to North America, the global destination for multiple Brums, home to no fewer than eighteen Birminghams, stretching from Canada’s Saskatchewan province, down the East Coast, through the Midwest and into the Deep South. Joe will explore their history, their collective Brummie cultural commonalities and form official 'Friendship Agreements' with as many US Birminghams as he can. As the climax of the series, Joe will invite some of his new Brummie chums back to his own Birmingham for what will doubtless become an annually bostin global event – the International Day of Birmingham.

Joe Lycett commented: “I am delighted to be making this show for Sky which will finally secure me enough money to move to London.”

A League of their Own: The Rally

The gang are back for a brand-new adventure show, competing in an epic rally from London to Turin.

Jill Scott, Maisie Adam, Micah Richards and Jamie Redknapp will be paired off into teams and pitted against one another for the ultimate prize - the ALOTO Rally Cup. The dash across Europe will be in six rally stages, deploying planes, trains and automobiles, as each team bids to reach their destination with the most points and hoist the all-important ALOTO Rally Cup.

Along the way, the teams must also complete a series of perilous and sometimes ridiculous off-road challenges to earn points as they blaze through Paris, Lake Geneva, the Alps and finally reach Turin, home of The Italian Job, for their exciting last stretch.

And it wouldn’t be A League of their Own without a few forfeits for the losers – there are no prizes for second place here…

A host of brand-new stand-up specials will also be airing on Sky this year, with shows from the UK’s top comedians coming to TV for the first time, including:

• David Baddiel: Not the Trilogy
• Lucy Beaumont: Live from the Royal Court Theatre
• Tom Davis: Underdog
• John Kearns: The Varnishing Days
• Stewart Lee: Basic Lee (Live from the Lowry)
• Chris Ramsey: Live from London

These are the first ever televised specials for Lucy Beaumont, Tom Davis and John Kearns.

Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Arts and Entertainment, Sky, commented: “We’re proud to bring you the laughs on Sky Max with a Who’s Who of brilliant British comedy talent and the world’s best magician all in one place. We have firm audience favourites, Rob and Romesh Vs, A League of Their Own, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, as well as recent additions like The Overlap and Hold the Front Page, and we’re introducing the wonderful Joe Lycett to our joyful line up. In a stressful world, we need all the laughter we can get.”

Unscripted Entertainment programmes are commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Director of Sky Arts and Entertainment for Zai Bennett, Managing Director of Content for Sky UK and Ireland. The Commissioning Editors for Entertainment at Sky are Barbara Lee, Shirley Jones and Dwayne Eaton.

Notes to Editors

Rob & Romesh Vs Series 7 (5x60)

Rob & Romesh vs Heavy Metal, UFC, Wildlife and Hollywood Stunts: TX later this year

Rob & Romesh vs Darts: TX January 2025

Rob & Rom Vs is produced by CPL, a Seven.One Studios company. The Executive Producers are Murray Boland, Danielle Lux, David Taylor and Bill Righton. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Barbara Lee.

For more information: Molly.Wyatt@sky.uk

Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham (3x60)

TX: 2025

Joe Lycett’s United States of Birmingham is co-produced by North One and My Options Were Limited. Steve Gowans and Hannah Chambers are Executive Producers, Nicola Silk is Series Producer-Director. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Barbara Lee.

For more information: Lucy.Butterfield@sky.uk / Molly.Wyatt@sky.uk

A League of their Own: The Rally (3x60)

TX: later this year

A League of their Own: The Rally is produced by CPL, a Seven.One Studios company. The Executive Producers are Murray Boland, Danielle Lux, David Taylor and Mus Mustafa. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Barbara Lee.

For more information: Alana.Irwin@sky.uk / Jack.Collins@premiercomms.com

Stand-Up Specials

• David Baddiel: Fame, Not The Musical (1x90); My Family, Not The Sitcom (1x90); and Trolls, Not the Dolls (1x90), airing on Sky and NOW, are produced by Avalon.
• Lucy Beaumont: Live From The Royal Court Theatre (1x60), airing on Sky and NOW, is produced by Avalon.
• Tom Davis: Underdog (1x75), airing on Sky and NOW, is a co-production with Off The Kerb Productions & Mighty Pebble Pictures.
• John Kearns: The Varnishing Days (1x75), airing on Sky and NOW, is produced by Avalon.
• Stewart Lee: Basic Lee (1x120) airing on Sky and NOW, is produced by Drum Studios in association with Awkward Films. The Producer Director is Colin Dench. The Executive Producers are Danny Carvalho and Andy Holland. The Commissioning Editor for Sky is Dwayne Eaton.
• Chris Ramsey: Live from London (1x60), airing on Sky and NOW, is produced by Avalon.

For more information: Molly.Wyatt@sky.uk