Sky Atlantic HD strengthens its comedy offering with COMEDY REPUBLIC

10 x 11’ exclusively for Sky Atlantic HD

London, Thursday 31st May, 2012:  As part of Sky’s continuing investment in original UK comedy, SKY ATLANTIC HD today announces the commission of COMEDY REPUBLIC (working title), 10 new shorts from Baby Cow Productions exclusively for Sky customers.

The 10 x11’ shorts will introduce brand new comic characters. Shot in mock documentary , each character may have a touch point with others in the series but they will exist primarily in their own unique world.  

Lucy Lumsden, Head of Comedy for Sky, says “Inspired by the success of Sky1HD's Little Crackers, Sky Atlantic now has its own season of short form comedies that are all about unleashing the next great comic characters from the new and the known."

Acting Channel Director of Sky Atlantic HD, Naomi Gibney comments: “I am delighted we are working with Baby Cow Productions to bring new comedy characters to Sky customers in COMEDY REPUBLIC. With this raft of new comedies airing on the channel from 25th June, Sky Atlantic is establishing itself as the channel for bold, smart and grown up comedy.”

Henry Normal, CEO, Baby Cow, says “God bless Sky Atlantic for giving so many people an opportunity to present new comedy.  This is my dream show. I have been wanting to make this for 14 years.”

Sky’s comedy commissioning strategy across the portfolio, part of the network’s commitment to increase its investment in original British content by 50% over the next three years,  has delivered breakout hits including TROLLIED, STELLA and THE CAFE.

Sky Atlantic HD is committed to bringing immersive and innovative content to screen from both sides of the Atlantic, from award-winning ‘Mad Men’ and ‘Game of Thrones’ to UK-originations such as ‘Hit & Miss’, created by Paul Abbott and starring Chloe Sevigny and ‘Great Britain: Our Story’, the channel’s first foray into high-end factual; an epic reconstruction of the history of our nation, told through inspiring stories of human endeavour, the Great British spirit that has made us who we are today.

For further information please contact

Tamsyn Zietsman - Head of PR, Sky Atlantic HD
T: +44 (0)20 7032 8093
E: Tamsyn.Zietsman@bskyb.com