Sky and Channel 4 partner to bring Formula 1®, Tin Star and No Offence to more viewers

TV viewers will soon find it easier to access and enjoy top sport and drama from Sky and Channel 4, thanks to an innovative content partnership between the two broadcasters.

The commercial deal, the first of its kind, will mean that highlights of Formula 1® and live coverage of the Formula 1 2019 British Grand Prix will be shown on Channel 4, with Series 1 of the popular Sky original production Tin Star also coming to the channel later this year.

As part of the deal, selected Channel 4 and Walter Presents drama series will be released on the Sky and NOW TV platforms in one go, allowing customers to binge on all episodes. The first full box set, available from tomorrow, will be the third series of the award-winning Channel 4 drama, No Offence.

Alex Mahon, Chief Executive Officer of Channel 4, said, “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to establish such an exciting and innovative partnership with Sky which will ensure that the British Grand Prix and highlights of the 2019 Formula 1 Championship remain available on free-to-air television for UK viewers.”

Stephen van Rooyen, Chief Executive Officer of Sky UK & ROI, said, “Today’s partnership is the start of a new era of collaboration between Sky, Channel 4 and, we hope, other British broadcasters. Not only will this innovative partnership benefit viewers, watching via Sky or free-to-air, but it will further strengthen the ecosystem of UK broadcasters and British originated content.”

Key Highlights of Sky and Channel 4’s Partnership

• In the autumn, Series 1 of Sky original production Tin Star will be shown on prime-time Channel 4 ahead of the return of Series 2 on Sky Atlantic in early 2019.
• In 2019, Channel 4 will show highlights of Formula 1® races with the Formula 1 British Grand Prix shown live on both Sky Sports F1 and Channel 4. Sky will show all other races exclusively live on its dedicated Sky Sports F1® channel.
• A selection of Channel 4 and Walter Presents drama series will be available as upfront box set stacks on NOW TV and Sky platforms, including Sky Go. The first boxset, the third series of No Offence, will be available from tomorrow.

Sky Atlantic’s epic revenge thriller, Tin Star, starring BAFTA award-winning Tim Roth and produced by Kudos (Broadchurch, Humans and The Tunnel: Sabotage), drew in an average audience of more than 1.7 million for each of its 10 episodes when it was released on Sky in November 2017.

The third series of Paul Abbott’s award-winning No Offence returns to Channel 4 on Thursday 13th September, with the second run of the critically acclaimed series averaging over 2.5m viewers in 2017.

-ENDS-

Media Contacts

Sky: Harrison Kelly – Harrison.Kelly@sky.uk / 07817476365

Channel 4: James MacLeod – Jmacleod@Channel4.co.uk / 020 7306 8181 / 07801 628 659

About Sky

Sky is Europe's leading entertainment company, serving 23 million households across seven countries - UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. The company has annual revenues of £13.6 billion and is Europe’s leading investor in television content with an annual programming spend of £6.5 billion.

Whether it’s through Sky Q – Europe’s best home entertainment service – or online streaming service NOW TV, customers can expect the broadest range of content, from live sporting events, gripping drama, great US and Sky original programmes, and blockbuster movies. Sky brings better innovation to customers, connecting them to more of what they love on a range of platforms and services across TV, home communications and mobile. This is all supported by Sky’s best in class customer service.

Sky uses its voice to shine a spotlight on the issues that affect ocean health and inspire others to take action. Through Sky Ocean Rescue, Sky has committed to transforming its business by removing single-use plastic by 2020; protect marine areas across Europe; and invest £25 million in technology solutions via its investment impact vehicle, Sky Ocean Ventures.

Sky has over 31,000 employees and is listed as one of The Times Top 50 employers for women. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (SKY).

About Channel 4

Channel 4 is a publicly-owned yet commercially-funded public service broadcaster and has a remit to be innovative, experimental and distinctive. Its public ownership and not-for-profit status ensure all profit generated by its commercial activity is directly reinvested back into the delivery of its public service remit.

As a publisher-broadcaster, Channel 4 is also required to commission UK content from the independent production sector and currently works with over 300 creative companies across the UK every year. In addition to the main Channel 4 service, its portfolio includes: E4, More4, Film4, 4Music, 4seven, Channel4.com and digital service All 4.