Sky, a British pay-TV channel, expects to keep its relationship with HBO “one way or the other,” as Warner Bros. Discovery’s plans to merge HBO Max and Discovery+ in Europe next year gather pace.
Sky has HBO content output deals in place for over a decade, but speculation has swirled about its potential re-up in 2025. In 2019, the pair entered into a coproduction pact and made shows like The Critical Hit.ChernobylComedyLandscapers.
Warner Bros. Warner Bros. Another option is to pull out of the deal and let its HBO shows be on the platform. Deadline has revealed that 29 European employees have been let go by the streaming company.
HBO shows have historically been among Sky’s biggest rating shows:Game of ThronesNumerous records were set, and the debut of its prequel series was a huge success.House of the Dragon last week delivered a cumulative 1.4M over two showings — Sky Atlantic’s best since the original Westeros show.
Questioned on an Edinburgh TV Festival panel this morning whether Sky expected to strike a new deal, Sky Director of Programs for the UK and Ireland Jamie Morris said: “Our relationship with HBO continues to go from strength to strength. They’ve had a great year – the HBO slate is great and they’re creative co-production partners with us.
“One way or the other that relationship will continue, in what shape we will wait and see.”
Sky has unveiled a series comedy shorts that features Rosie Jones and Desiree Birch.