Sky and Mark Hollinger to acquire stakes in Sugar Films
Sky has taken a minority stake in Sugar Films, an independent production company founded by senior television professionals Kwadjo Dajan, Narinder Minhas, Lucy Pilkington, Nav Raman and Pat Younge. Former Discovery Networks International president and CEO Mark Hollinger will also take a stake in the company and become Chairman.
The investments by Sky and Mark Hollinger will support the co-founders of Sugar Films in the creation and delivery of scripted and non-scripted projects, both in the UK and internationally.
Founded in 2015, Sugar Films aims to produce bold, popular and provocative television and digital content for mainstream and diverse audiences. It has already secured a number of commissions including a digital shorts series with Channel Four and the recently announced “White Boys and Black Heroes“ , a documentary for BBC2 presented by Adrian Chiles about the wider social impact of the growth of black professional footballers in Britain. Sugar also has a number of further projects in paid development with other broadcasters.
Pat Younge, the former BBC Chief Creative Officer and ex-President of Travel Channel Media, is Managing Director of Sugar Films, while co-founders Kwadjo Dajan (Appropriate Adult, Mrs Biggs, Cilla), Narinder Minhas (The Girl With 7 Mums, The Private Life of Harley Street, Make Me A Muslim), Lucy Pilkington (Outrageous Acts of Science, Danny Dyer’s Real Football Factories, The Food Hospital) and Nav Raman (Commissioning Editor of Child Genius, Brat Camp, The Unteachables) complete the line up as Creative Directors.
Sky’s international production and distribution business, Sky Vision, will become Sugar Films’ exclusive distribution partner, and will represent all new programmes and formats. Sky has a growing production portfolio, which sits under Sky Vision. It currently owns Sky Vision Productions, and has equity stakes in a number of independent production companies: Love Productions, Blast! Films, Jupiter Entertainment, Znak & Jones and Talos Films.
Jane Millichip, Managing Director, Sky Vision commented: “Sugar Films is a dynamic production company with a mix of experienced executives and cutting edge creative talent. In a short space of time, they have built an impressive development slate of both scripted and non-scripted shows. We’re really excited to be working with them to build the business both in the UK and internationally.”
Pat Younge commented: “We are delighted to be joining forces with Sky Vision. They have a formidable track record, they’re forward-thinking and are hugely ambitious. This makes them the perfect fit for Sugar Films. We’re looking forward to a fruitful partnership.”
Mark Hollinger commented: “I have worked with both Pat and Sky for many years, and am absolutely delighted to be part of this compelling partnership. Sugar Films is a team of terrific creative executives and the support that Sky brings to the mix should mean great things for Sugar. “
For more information:
Robin Tozer
Senior Corporate Communications Manager
Email: robin.tozer@sky.uk
Telephone: +44 (0) 207 032 0620
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About Sky
Sky is Europe's leading entertainment company, serving 21 million customers across five countries: UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy. We offer the best and broadest range of content, deliver market-leading customer service and use innovative new technology to give customers a better TV experience, whenever and wherever they choose.
Sky has annual revenues of over £11 billion and is Europe's leading investor in television content with a combined programming budget of £4.9 billion. The group employs 30,000 people and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (SKY).
Sky Vision, in addition to its equity investments, works extensively with independent producers in the UK and US and has development deals with a number of production companies; including Asylum Entertainment and Peacock Alley in North America; and Avanti Media, back2back productions, Chalkboard, Hungry Bear Media, Little Rock, Spring Films, and Roughcut TV in the UK.
For more information visit www.sky.com/corporate
About Sugar Films
Based in London and Cardiff, Sugar Films is a 360° media company focused on integrating television content, digital production and creative solutions to create original content that reflects the changing demands of modern audiences. The company aims to create the next generation of returnable formats, impactful dramas and innovative factual entertainment and documentary series that will resonate with global audiences.
For more information visit www.sugarfilms.co.uk