Comedy
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We are looking for 30 minute and 60 minute comedies.
Our current focus is on very gaggy scripts which deliver laugh out loud moments every page (as opposed to comedy drama which we have quite a bit of now).
We'd especially like to hear from anyone with a very silly sense of humour, like Airplane or The Three Amigos.
One thing we don't want is smart arsed, smug, over intellectual comedy of exclusion, or jokes which are bitchy or offensive.
We need production companies attached to any ideas, so first port of call is to google companies behind the comedies you respect, approach them, and then with them comes and approach us.
Ideas don't need big talent attached. They just need to be very very funny.
In doubt you could drop the team a note and we could suggest
All our shows are in HD
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Drama
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We are investing more and more in scripted.
We find it very hard to do one offs and for them to get promoted and get attention, so when we do (and it's only one or two a year) they have to generate their own publicity without much support. So known names, either in front of or behind the screen, and known brands. These can be book based, like "Treasure Island" or fairytale fantasy, but either way can be something that gives our customers a real visual, star packed treat at key times in the year. We do not want low cost but we do welcome co production opportunities.
We tend to work with companies with proven drama track record and while we would definitely look at unsolicited scripts, new talent isn't our focus per se, as it is with some of the public service channels.
Our dramas need energy and exuberance.
The best way to think about drama at Sky is either slightly younger than BBC 1, but still broad, or slightly more modern than ITV1, but again still broad. So we would take risks creatively which the older heavier terrestrials might not be able to.
On Sky 1 HD we are interested in high end long runners which pull in big broad audiences.
On Sky Living HD we are interested in very dramatic storylines and characters, which aren¿t just of interest to a female audience.
On Sky Atlantic HD the drama needs to work on several levels, as much of the HBO does, and have epic world class talent attached
And on Sky Arts HD, the drama is about extreme creative risk
All our shows are in HD
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Entertainment
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Our entertainment shows should be smart, slick, and feel-good with a sense of scale and ambition.
We are not interested in shows that feel "cheesy" and we don¿t want to revive old brands. New Media plays a key role in the success of brands. Budgets depend on idea to idea, but think terrestrial size budgets for big elimination/studio shows.
It is unlikely we will commission from producers who don't have a track record in making terrestrial entertainment, or those without the contacts to hire big entertainment producers.
Entertainment shows can be:-
- Auditions/Elimination Shows, but not smaller versions of current hits on terrestrials. They have to be like a national event, and be loved by broad demographic. We don't want "too cool for school" and we¿re not going to be that excited about hiring judges from other shows.
- Events i.e. they don't necessarily need to be studio based. The Match was a big hit for us, for instance.
- Reality - what is our "I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here"? We haven't yet done reality but would definitely consider it. "Tacky" isn't going to work for us.
- Quizzes and Panel Shows. We already have quite a few of these in production, mainly using our Sky Studio and editing facilities (speak to Barbara Gibbon about these). We definitely are in the market for these as long as they aren¿t copies of what is on terrestrial.
All our shows are in HD
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Factual Entertainment
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. Next Top Model is a big hit for us. We'd love to find the next female skewing series, ideally one which men will also watch with their girlfriends.
. We'd love to see a business format in this area. It will need much bigger jeopardy than currently exists on terrestrial business shows.
All our shows are in HD
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Factual and Features
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We need ideas which are broad, of high quality, probably in genres other channels aren't touching, and they need to attract a female audience on Sky 1HD as well as the more obvious home for them, on Sky Living HD
It's unlikely we will do property, cooking, parenting. We think Holidays could be an interesting area, as well as shows about relationships, as long as it is not just talking heads. We're interested in hearing about new social trends and emerging pastimes as long as they have broad resonance.
They have to have a sense of humour and cheekiness, and be smart. We are not interested in shows which are very bitchy, very camp or very sweary just for the sake of it.
Generally our programmes will be led by a known presenter not someone new to TV. We need to know that we could put their face on a poster and people would know instantly who they are.
Features shows are all one hour long and all are in HD (which may prevent clip shows if the clips aren't available in HD).
Stand out obs docs series would be good, and needn't just be funny ones. We are looking for campaigning shows for Sky Living HD that can stimulate national debate.
All our shows are in HD
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