SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Dec 3, 2015) - Sky (
TV4's portfolio includes a dozen channels, reaching millions of unique users every month. It has more than 30 new channels in development. The current portfolio includes: DocComTV aimed at documentary devotees; All Warrior Network for fans of the warrior genre; Motorland, a video network for automotive enthusiasts; the Ultimate Champion Network which has programming for combat sports fans; and The Clarity Project, a channel exploring child illness.
TV4's strategy has been to acquire and aggregate high-quality video content into recognisable channel brands. Through more than 200 content partners, TV4 has licensed over 5,000 feature length and short form titles as well as many TV and web series.
The investment in TV4 builds on Sky's ongoing programme of investing in innovative startups that help Sky bring new ideas, insight and services into its business. This follows recent investments in leading online sports network Whistle Sports, Pluto TV, the online video aggregator and the US ad tech firm Sharethrough. Sky has previously invested in a number of other pioneering US technology companies, including the IP streaming service provider Roku, cinematic virtual reality company, Jaunt and the OTT video delivery firm 1Mainstream.
Further details of Sky's investments and its US office can be found here.
Emma Lloyd, Director, Corporate Business Development, Sky, commented:
"This exciting investment will help us develop our understanding of niche content genres and what audiences are most passionate about. We are committed to developing partnerships right across our business that support and extend our leadership position in content and innovation. We look forward to working with the team at TV4 Entertainment as they continue to grow."
Jon Cody, Founder and CEO, TV4 Entertainment, commented:
"Our goal in this round of investment was to bring on strategic global investors that could unlock business opportunities as we expand internationally over the next year. Bringing Europe's top entertainment company in Sky into the TV4 Entertainment family is the perfect fit for this mandate. We look forward to growing the value of the Company for our shareholders while bringing tomorrow's television to viewers across the globe today."
Notes to editors
1) References to TV4 and TV4 Entertainment are to TV4 Entertainment Inc.
2) Gross assets subject to this transaction were $0.3m
3) Profits attributable to the assets subject to this transaction were $nil
About Sky
Sky is Europe's leading entertainment company, serving 21 million customers across five countries: UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria and Italy. 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 £4.9 billion. The group employs 30,000 people and is listed on the London Stock Exchange (SKY).
For more information visit www.sky.com/corporate
About TV4 Entertainment
TV4 Entertainment incubates and operates a global portfolio of over-the-top channels, targeting genres that inspire passionate, worldwide affinity groups. In addition to licensing content from third party producers, TV4 Entertainment produces original feature and short films, and digital and television series content for distribution on its channels and other television platforms.
For more information visit http://tv4ent.com/