Sky

Sky releases Tour de France prep in Virtual Reality

Footage of the Sky Team was shot over a training day in Monaco and during the Tour of Romandie in Switzerland, two major preparations before the French competition in July.

The interactive video was released yesterday on Facebook. Three minutes in length, the film features 360º views of the team training on static bikes as well as interviews, and footage of the stage race in Switzerland.

Viceland to launch in multiple countries

The rapid growth of the new TV channel makes Viceland the "fastest growing television network in history."

Speaking at a press conference at the Cannes Lions advertising festival, CEO Shane Smith said, "When I first announced Viceland was going to launch in 12 countries in 12 months everyone rolled their eyes.

"It turns out they were right, we were wrong. We didn't do 12 countries in 12 months; we did 44 countries in four months."

Where next for RTÉ?

RTE's Dee Forbes

When Dee Forbes arrives in Dublin to take up the position of Director-­General of Irish national broadcaster RTÉ, she will be the first woman to hold the post and the first to come from outside the organisation in almost 50 years.

Moreover, Forbes, currently on gardening leave as President and Managing Director of Discovery Networks, Northern Europe, will be returning to Ireland on something like half her present salary.

Jo Brand pens social worker sitcom for Channel 4

Commissioned by Channel 4 and produced by What Larks Productions, Damned was previously piloted for Sky two years ago with filming of the latest production to start next month.

The show comes soon after Brand's recent return as nurse Kim Wilde in BBC's Going Forward and is her first major Channel 4 project for ten years.

Sky unites award-winning actors, writers and producers in new commissions

Sky

With some stellar names attached to write, act and direct the shows, Sky is building on the game-changing successes of the BAFTA-nominated The Last Panthers and the Enfield Haunting, and fan favourite Stan Lee’s Lucky Man

Sky signs exclusive movie deal with Sony Pictures

Ghostbusters (Credit: Sony)

The deal will allow Sky to show all new and future movie titles from Sony Pictures a few months after they are released, and up to a year before any other television network. 

"Sony has a fantastic track record of producing big global hits with a really exciting slate of films coming up including Ghostbusters and Inferno," said Sky's Managing Director, Content, Gary Davey. "Major agreements like this help meet our commitment to provide our customers with exclusive, world-class films and programmes and the very best TV experience.”

Sky to commission original children's content

Sky Kids app

New episodes of Morph, from Aardman Animation, will premiere on the new Sky Kids app later this year, alongside shorter clips featuring the legendary character, designed to encourage children to have a go at making their own models and films.

The network is also in discussion with other producers to create kids’ versions of some its favourite shows.

The Sky Kids app, which launches this week, is designed to allow children easy and safe access to suitable content.