Sky purchases 70% stake in Love Productions
Sky has acquired a majority shareholding in Love Productions, the independent production company, as part of ongoing efforts to bolster its content.
The deal will see Love Productions continue to operate separately from the broadcaster, allowing it to continue to work with rivals and will retain its existing management team; including company founders Richard McKerrow and Anna Beattie.
Love Productions is famous for hit shows such as Great British Bake-off and Great British Sewing Bee as well as documentaries such as My last Summer, Famous Rich and Homeless and Benefits Street.
Sophie Turner Laing, managing director, content, Sky said: “Love is one of the UK’s most innovative and creative independent producers with a track record of success across a range of genres, both in the UK and globally. Led by Richard and Anna, Love has a hugely talented team with exciting plans for the future. We are really looking forward to supporting them as they build on their relationships with different broadcasters throughout the industry and helping them to grow the business”.
Richard McKerrow and Anna Beattie, joint chief creative officers, Love Productions, said: “We are extremely excited by the prospect of a partnership with Sky. We feel it’s the perfect time to be working with a group who can help us realise our creative and commercial potential and fulfil all of our international ambitions for the Love brand. Love has always sought to be a pioneering company, launching new ideas and breaking new ground. Sky feels like a company of the future, full of dynamic and extremely creative leaders who will back our independent spirit and are keen to support all our future ambitions.”
Love have production offices in London, Bristol, New York and Los Angeles.