Sky NZ, NBCUniversal sign extensive multi-year deal

Sky and global entertainment company NBCUniversal (NBCU) have signed an expanded multi-year deal encompassing feature films, drama, comedy, entertainment, reality and news across broadcast channels, on demand and streaming.

The extensive agreement with NBCU includes series produced by Sky Studios and the Universal Studio Group, which is comprised of Universal Television, UCP, NBCU International Studios and Universal Television Alternative Studios. Movies from NBCU’s vast film portfolio, as well as linear channel brands E! and CNBC, will also be a part of this deal, deepening the relationship between Sky and NBCU and bolstering Sky’s content offering across a variety of its channels and platforms, including Neon, Sky Go, Sky On Demand and free-to-air channel Prime.

The deal will deliver thousands of hours of TV series to Sky. This includes new shows Young Rock, The Equalizer and We Are Lady Parts; Sky Studios original productions, including Gangs of London, A Discovery of Witches and Riviera; and a rich library of fan-favourite dramas and sitcoms, including Treadstone, Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Office.

Sky Movies and Neon customers can look forward to blockbuster films Trolls World Tour and The Croods: A New Age, in addition to hundreds of other hit movies. From The King of Staten Island and the Bourne franchise to Pitch Perfect and timeless classic Back to the Future, there will be something for every member of the family to enjoy!

Universal TV - the linear channel from NBCU International Networks - will also launch on Sky screens as part of the deal. Making its New Zealand debut on 30 April, Universal TV is a channel dedicated to the best in crime and drama procedurals. Sky will also continue to carry news channel CNBC and hold exclusive broadcast rights to popular entertainment channel E!

Sky Chief Executive, Sophie Moloney, said: “With an amazing stream of new blockbuster movies and TV series to come, an incredible collection of popular library content, a brand-new channel for our customers in Universal TV and continued access to E! and CNBC, we’re really excited by this deal. Not only does it strengthen the depth and breadth of our offering, but it also secures more of the content that our customers love and value. Having tested the channel concept through our Sky Nation panel, customers are excited to be welcoming Universal TV to Sky.”

NBCUniversal’s Managing Director, Distribution and Networks for Australia/New Zealand, Chris Taylor, said: “We are delighted to build upon our longstanding partnership with Sky. This new deal is the most expansive in our history of doing business with Sky and ensures that audiences in New Zealand will continue to be entertained by NBCUniversal’s vast portfolio of stellar drama and comedy series, hit movies and compelling channel brands for many years to come.”