Prepare to meet an amazing animal family, Sky 1 HD commissions two part documentary series Cats (w/t)
London, Monday 4th August, 2014
Sky 1 HD has commissioned a 2x60 documentary series following biologist Patrick Aryee as he tells the story of the greatest of all animal families – Cats (w/t). This epic journey will chart the cat family’s astonishing rise to power over the last 11 million years to become the most successful family of predators on Earth. From mighty lions and tigers to agile tree dwelling ocelots – it’s an extraordinary tale. The series will be produced by Offspring Films Ltd and internationally distributed by Sky Vision.
Today, there are 37 different species of cat, they can jump higher, run faster, hear sharper and climb better than almost any other group of creatures but it hasn’t always been that way. Cats (w/t) sees Patrick retell the story of their global migrations across Asia, America and Africa as he comes face-to-face with some of the planet’s most beautiful felines.
Adam MacDonald, Director of Sky 1 said: “We’re delighted to be able to bring the global story of one of the planet’s most spectacular families to our Sky 1 customers. A pioneering talent, Patrick’s knowledge and passion for natural history is infectious. He’s an exciting new face on British TV and we can’t wait for his Sky 1 debut.”
Partrick Aryee added: “I'm very excited to be working with Sky 1 on Cats. I've been fascinated by these incredible creatures since childhood. I can’t wait to use my background in wildlife filmmaking to take viewers on a mysterious journey and share with them the evolutionary history of one of the most successful group of predators on earth!”
The series will use a combination of superb wildlife photography, studio shoots, field demos and CGI to show how different key members of this family have evolved superpowers and adaptations to thrive in some of the planet’s wildest landscapes. The journey will start in Asia, home to the oldest of all cat groups before taking viewers right through their surprising history to the taming of the domestic cat in episode two.
Celia Taylor, Sky’s Head of Features and Factual added: “This series will offer a fresh, modern and exciting look into the lives of one of the planet’s most magnificent creatures. They really do have the most remarkable story and one which we are very excited to tell.”
Alex Williamson, Offspring Films said: “We are excited to be working with Sky. We’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in natural history film-making, by delighting the audience with unfamiliar stories and spectacular imagery."
The 2 x 60’ series will air on Sky 1 HD in 2015. Cats (w/t) has been commissioned by Adam MacDonald and Celia Taylor and will be executive produced by Alex Williamson and Martin Williams for Offspring Films Ltd and Lorraine Charker-Phillips for Sky.
This year Sky will invest £600 million in original British content and productions across its portfolio of channels. This commitment includes entertainment shows GOT TO DANCE and DUCK QUACKS DON’T ECHO; dramas such as STRIKE BACK and MOONFLEET; comedies including STELLA, DOLL & EM and MOONE BOY and factual shows as diverse as 50 WAYS TO KILL YOUR MAMMY, THE SOUTH BANK SHOW and ROSS KEMP EXTREME WORLD.
Notes to editor
For more information please contact:
Charlotte Jordan
Publicist, Sky 1 HD
T: +44 (0)20 7032 1496
charlotte.jordan@bskyb.com
About Sky
Sky is the UK and Ireland’s leading home entertainment and communications company. Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.
Sky is the UK’s biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.5 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News. Around two-thirds of Sky’s content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes. More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.
Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator. Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.
Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi. NOW TV, Sky’s second consumer brand, builds on the company’s leadership in internet TV. Sky is also the UK's fastest-growing home communications company and favourite ‘triple-play’ provider of TV, broadband and home phone.
Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts. Sky employs 24,000 people, has annual revenues of £7.2 billion and is estimated to support a £5.9 billion contribution to UK GDP. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY).
About Offspring Films
Offspring Films is an independent production company set up by Alex Williamson and Martin Williams in 2014. Specialising in high-end factual television, natural history and Imax projects, Offspring is based in Bristol in the heart of the UK’s natural history filmmaking community. Alex Williamson comes from the BBC’s Natural History Unit, where he ran the development department and was also a Series Producer. Martin Williams is a multi award winning series director and producer with a string of critically acclaimed projects. Between them Williams and Williamson have produced: Galapagos 3D; Super Senses; Kingdom of Plants; First Life; Raging Planet; The Burrowers; & Flying Monsters.