Sky appoints Phil Edgar-Jones as Director, Sky Arts

Phil Edgar-Jones has been appointed Director, Sky Arts. He succeeds James Hunt, who stepped down last week after four and a half years running the channel.

Edgar-Jones was previously Sky’s Head of Entertainment, where he most recently commissioned Portrait Artist of the Year, Parkinson’s Masterclasses, Talks Music and the forthcoming Elaine Paige Show, as well as overseeing a number of entertainment properties across the Sky portfolio, including Got To Dance and A League of Their Own.

Sky Arts has is now firmly established as the leading arts channel in the country. Sky Arts has attracted some of the world’s most famous faces, including Daniel Radcliffe, Jon Hamm, Vanessa Redgrave, Sir Tom Jones and Kylie Minogue, often making their UK or TV debuts. The upcoming series of Playhouse Presents features Matthew Perry and Cara Delevingne in their first UK TV roles, as well as Jo Brand, Billie Piper and Richard Wilson, and underlines Sky’s commitment to investment in original UK content and production.

Sky Arts has been responsible for many firsts - the first live opera simulcast, the longest ever continuous OB, the first live coverage of a major gallery opening as well as the first rock, opera and dance broadcasts in 3D. The channel has pioneered drama from across the world, brought the South Bank Show back to UK TV screens and, in just four years, grown its reach to over six million. Sky Arts is also unique in its remit to deliver not only the best and most comprehensive arts broadcasting but to also to enhance and invest in the arts landscape of the UK, striking partnerships with Hay Festival, V & A, Tate Liverpool, English National Opera and English National Ballet to bring the arts to life on the ground.

“Under James, Sky Arts went from strength to strength – it’s become the place world class talent want to play, has been recognised by all the major awards and receives widespread critical acclaim,” comments Stuart Murphy, Director of Entertainment, Sky.  “I’m confident that Phil will take the Sky Arts brand to the next level, both as a TV channel and as an investor in the arts community – he  is one of the most gifted and experienced TV execs in the UK, with an in depth knowledge of making TV of scale.  His infectious energy, production experience and passion for the Arts make him the perfect successor.”

Before joining Sky, Phil was Creative Director of Endemol, where he exec-produced Art School, Space Cadets and Shattered, as well as all ten series of the original Big Brother.

Sky will appoint a new Head of Entertainment in due course. In the meantime, Edgar-Jones will keep a watching brief over Entertainment Commissioning and continue to work with Chris Brogden, Barbara Lee and Deborah Sargeant to ensure a smooth handover.

Edgar-Jones will report to Stuart Murphy, Director of Entertainment at Sky, alongside Adam MacDonald, (Director, Sky 1), Antonia Hurford-Jones (Director, Sky Living), Julia Barry, (Director, Sky Atlantic) and Stephen Ladlow (Director, Pick TV and Challenge.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT

Manisha Ferdinand Head of Sky Arts and Sky Movies PR, Sky Press Office

T: 0207 032 2842

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NOTES TO EDITOR

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).