Sky has taken a majority stake in Blast! Films, the UK production company behind Steve McQueen’s award-winning film Hunger, and series including Channel 4’s The Supervet, The Route Masters and 999: What’s Your Emergency?
Founded in 1994 by Ed Coulthard, Blast! Films is one of the UK’s longest established independent production companies. It will continue to operate as a distinct company under the new ownership structure, producing programmes and films for a variety of broadcasters. Coulthard and managing director Claire Bosworth will run the company with their current team.
Sky’s international distribution business, Sky Vision, will become Blast! Films’ distribution partner, and will represent new programmes and formats. Blast! Films’ existing agreements with other broadcasters and distributors will remain unchanged.
“Sky really gets the Blast! Films DNA,” commented founder and creative director Coulthard. “As programme makers we are passionate about quality and this is a great fit for us as we continue to evolve the company. I’m really proud of the team we’ve built here and this deal allows us to continue to attract great talent, keep raising the bar and be ambitious about what we can achieve.”
Jane Millichip, managing director, Sky Vision added: “Blast! Films has an incredible pedigree. Ed Coulthard is a first-class producer, and together with Claire Bosworth and team, they have a production slate that combines creative excellence with real commercial appeal. We look forward to working with them to build on their success in the UK and internationally.”
Sky has stakes in several independent production companies including Jupiter Entertainment, Love Productions, and Znak & Jones, all of which partner with Sky Vision on domestic and international distribution. It also 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.
