HBO cuts Sky Italia deal

Sky Italia has agreed an exclusive programming deal with HBO as it prepares its own version of the UK’s Sky Atlantic channel.

This will see shows such as True Detective and Boardwalk Empire broadcasting on the new Sky Italia’s channel, Sky Atlantic HD.

The deal mirrors the agreement BSkyB has with HBO in the UK, where Sky Atlantic is informally known as the ‘Home of HBO’.

In Italy, Sky Atlantic will at launch be the exclusive home of the fourth seasons of Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire, with Matthew McConaughey police drama True Detective and Cinemax Banshee joining the line-up in coming months.

“HBO is by far one of the world leaders in producing fantastic scripted programming, with series and movies that over the years turned into a social and cultural phenomena worldwide,” said Andrea Scrosati, executive VP, programming at Sky Italia. “So we are incredibly proud of Sky Atlantic HD making its debut by also featuring HBO-branded excellence that we believe is exactly what our subscribers were looking for.”

The HBO programming will sit alongside original European and Italian commissions, he added.

“In similar arrangements around the globe, both sides have benefitted greatly and we anticipate that will once again be the case here,” said Charles Schreger, president, programming sales, HBO.

As of December 2013, 21st Century Fox-owned Sky Italia had 4.76 million subscribers.