Sky acquires stake in Jupiter Entertainment

Sky has acquired a 60 per cent stake in Jupiter Entertainment, a US-based independent production company with a track record of creating successful, returning popular factual series and formats. The investment forms part of Sky's strategy to grow a broad, international content business spanning broadcasting, production and distribution.

Founded in 1996 by Stephen Land, Jupiter Entertainment produces popular non-scripted programmes - including documentaries, reality series, true crime and lifestyle series - for networks such as A&E, Discovery, History, Investigation Discovery, Oxygen, TLC and Animal Planet among others. Its extensive portfolio of successful series includes Welcome to Myrtle Manor (TLC, pictured), Wild West Alaska (Animal Planet), Snapped (Oxygen) and Homicide Hunter (ID).

The company recently formed a multi-year strategic partnership with Random House giving Jupiter a first look at adapting the publisher's assets as non-fiction television and digital properties. All Jupiter Entertainment productions share similar characteristics of great storytelling, compelling characters and high production values. The company has corporate offices in Knoxville, Tennessee and New York City with a Los Angeles post-production satellite.

Jupiter Entertainment will continue to operate as a distinct company under the new ownership structure, producing programmes for a variety of broadcasters. Sky's international distribution business, Sky Vision, will become Jupiter Entertainment's distribution partner, representing new finished programmes and formats. Jupiter Entertainment's existing agreements with other broadcasters and distributors will remain unchanged.

Sky has stakes in independent production companies; Love Productions in the UK and LA-based Znak & Jones, both of which partner with Sky Vision on international strategy. Sky Vision deals extensively with independent producers in the UK and US. It has development deals with a number of production companies; including Ugly Brother Studios in the US; and Spring Films, back2back productions, Hungry Bear Media and Roughcut TV in the UK.

Jane Millichip, Managing Director, Sky Vision commented: Over the past two decades, Jupiter has built an impressive track record in popular factual television, and has become a major supplier to a variety of US networks. We look forward to working with Stephen, who is one of America's most prolific television executives, and his talented team. They have an exciting slate of returning series and new formats, and Jupiter will become an important partner for Sky Vision as we build our presence in the US market.

Stephen Land, CEO and Executive Producer, Jupiter Entertainment commented: We couldn't be more delighted. Sky is an ideal strategic partner. Combining Jupiter's strong domestic growth with Sky's global reach creates thrilling possibilities. We have ambitious growth plans and believe our employees and network partners will all benefit from this exciting combination.

For more information:

Sky

Robin Tozer

Email: robin.tozer@bskyb.com

Telephone: +44 (0) 207 032 0620

Follow us on twitter @SkyCorporate

Visit: www.sky.com/corporate

Jupiter Entertainment

Shari Misher Stenzler

London Misher Public Relations

Email: shari@londonmisherpr.com

Telephone: +1 (212) 759 2800

About Sky

Sky is Europe's leading entertainment company with 21 million customers across five countries: Italy, Germany, Austria, the UK and Ireland. 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 over £4.6 billion. The company employs 31,000 people and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (SKY).

For more information visit www.sky.com/corporate

About Jupiter Entertainment

Jupiter Entertainment, founded by renowned television creator/producer Stephen Land, has an enviable track record of creating successful, highly-formatted series with outstanding ratings and strong renewals. From explosive docusoaps like TLC's Welcome to Myrtle Manor, and Animal Planet's Wild West Alaska to long-running series like Snapped on Oxygen and ID's hit series Homicide Hunter, Jupiter has been successful in producing a wide variety of genres and formats by focusing on the timeless ingredients of great storytelling, compelling characters and high production values. Over the past 18 years, Jupiter has produced hit prime-time series and specials for A&E, Animal Planet, Discovery, Fuse, History, Investigation Discovery, Oxygen, and TruTV.

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