Sky To Invest In British Film

Broadcaster BSkyB has announced a "multi-million pound" project to fund British-made movies.
The UK pay TV operator has committed to making additional investment in British film production, producing films for a "family audience" for Sky Movies and new documentaries for Sky Atlantic.
The network, which has been criticised in the past for a lack of investment in British content, says it will spend up to £5m on the new productions.
Sky Movies will invest in a number of feature-length films for television aimed at the whole family over the next five years. New productions are already in development and Sky Movies is seeking submissions for further projects to be considered.
Meanwhile Sky Atlantic HD is spearheading Sky’s commitment to documentary films with the introduction of a new peak time strand in early 2013. Up to twelve peak time landmark documentaries will form the backbone of the new documentary slate.
Jeremy Darroch, Sky’s Chief Executive, said: "We see a real opportunity in British films, where we’ve already invested millions in three feature-length productions with Sir David Attenborough. Now we intend to green light more family films for Sky customers and help more of the best documentary makers to bring the films they most want to make to the screen."
The new content will be available exclusive to Sky customers from 2013.
(LB)