• Latest
  • Trending
  • All
  • News
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Science
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Tech
Sky Seeking Next ‘Happy Valley’ As Content Boss Zai Bennett Teases Less Is More Approach

Sky Seeking Next ‘Happy Valley’ As Content Boss Zai Bennett Teases Less Is More Approach

February 6, 2023
Kevin McCarthy Has ‘Nothing’ in Back Pocket After Failed Vote: ‘I’m Broke’

Kevin McCarthy Has ‘Nothing’ in Back Pocket After Failed Vote: ‘I’m Broke’

September 29, 2023
Early-morning shooting near US-Mexico border leaves two migrants dead

Early-morning shooting near US-Mexico border leaves two migrants dead

September 29, 2023
NFL reinstates 3 players after revising gambling policy

NFL reinstates 3 players after revising gambling policy

September 29, 2023
Fourteen-try New Zealand trounce Italy at Rugby World Cup

Fourteen-try New Zealand trounce Italy at Rugby World Cup

September 29, 2023
California police charge man with the murders of his 5 infant children: ‘This case revealed unspeakable evil’

California police charge man with the murders of his 5 infant children: ‘This case revealed unspeakable evil’

September 29, 2023
What was the longest government shutdown in U.S. history?

What was the longest government shutdown in U.S. history?

September 29, 2023
Trump mocks Pelosi family as he rallies conservative support in California

Trump mocks Pelosi family as he rallies conservative support in California

September 29, 2023
Burkina Faso: Elections not a ‘priority,’ junta leader says

Burkina Faso: Elections not a ‘priority,’ junta leader says

September 29, 2023
Earth is such a mess right now that scientists found microplastics in clouds

Earth is such a mess right now that scientists found microplastics in clouds

September 29, 2023
Trump plans to attend opening days of his New York fraud trial

Trump plans to attend opening days of his New York fraud trial

September 29, 2023
Michigan student hurled chair at unsuspecting teacher’s head, knocking her to the ground: wild video

Michigan student hurled chair at unsuspecting teacher’s head, knocking her to the ground: wild video

September 29, 2023
Trump Lashes Out at Mark Milley After ‘Wannabe Dictator’ Dig

Trump Lashes Out at Mark Milley After ‘Wannabe Dictator’ Dig

September 29, 2023
DNYUZ
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Television
    • Theater
    • Gaming
    • Sports
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
DNYUZ
No Result
View All Result
Home News

Sky Seeking Next ‘Happy Valley’ As Content Boss Zai Bennett Teases Less Is More Approach

February 6, 2023
in News
Sky Seeking Next ‘Happy Valley’ As Content Boss Zai Bennett Teases Less Is More Approach
509
SHARES
1.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Sky is seeking inspiration from Happy Valley for its next hit show as programs boss Zai Bennett says the pay-TV giant is taking a ‘less is more’ approach to original content.

Speaking at a Broadcasting Press Guild event this morning, Director of Original Drama Meghan Lyvers said conversations are taking place with producers about shows that have “an investigative spine with complicated, dysfunctional, flawed, human and relatable characters at the center,” evoking Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire’s Catherine Cawood.

She responded “perhaps yes” when questioned if the next big Sky drama could be led by a Cawood-esque figure and talked up the way in which the BBC One/AMC+ sensation places an older woman front and centre of the story. A similar show, the Kate Winslet-starring Mare of Easttown, was launched by Sky and HBO in 2021 to critical acclaim.

“There are always trends in terms of trying new shows and reaching new audiences but older women watch a lot of TV,” she added. “We are talking about this with producers.”

Happy Valley ended last night with a whopping 7.5 million overnight viewers, the highest rated show of the year so far, which also drew critical acclaim for Lancashire and co-star James Norton’s performances in particular. Writer Sally Wainwright has said the show, which launched in 2015, will definitely end with season three, however.

Sky was presenting a wealth of its new drama, comedy and factual shows at the event, which took place in Central London, including the likes of the Lily Allen-starring Dreamland from Sharon Horgan, Nick Love’s A Town Called Malice and Johnny Flynn-starring The Lovers.

Having greenlit 200 originals in 2022 and upped content investment to £500M ($601M), Sky UK and Ireland Managing Director of Content Bennett said the outfit is now taking a “fewer, bigger better” approach to the shows it commissions and produces. Of those 200 originals, only around 20 were high-end scripted, he stressed.

“We want to make sure when we have something we put it in front of customers in a loud, meaningful way,” he added. “The 200 number was a shiny stat but when you take say single arts documentaries into account it can be built up and you get there quite quickly.”

The “fewer, bigger better” approach evokes BBC Director General Tim Davie’s strategy since he took the reins of the UK’s biggest public broadcaster.

With the world entering recession and the TV industry feeling the pinch, Lyvers stressed that Sky’s scripted series budgets are not being cut and the “ambition and scale remains.”

She concurred with Bennett on “fewer, bigger, better,” adding: “We’re in a moment where [buyers] are being a bit more mindful when picking what they produce. We want to say to our audiences ‘Oh there are great options here’ instead of ‘Here’s a lot of filler’. Eighteen months ago the competition [in drama production] was really fierce but it feels like it’s normalizing a bit.”

Shows such as House of the Dragon and The Last of Us, which are co-produced with HBO, remain “very very expensive,” added Lyvers, with the latter coming in at around the $25M per episode mark.

The post Sky Seeking Next ‘Happy Valley’ As Content Boss Zai Bennett Teases Less Is More Approach appeared first on Deadline.

Tags: Game Of ThronesHappy ValleyHouse Of DragonSally WainwrightSarah LancashireSkyThe Last of UsZai Bennett
Share204Tweet127Share

Trending Posts

With a US government shutdown imminent, what happens to the economy?

With a US government shutdown imminent, what happens to the economy?

September 29, 2023
Biden adminstration considering plan to force migrants to remains in Texas: report

Missing Virginia mom tells local reporter why she hasn’t been home: ‘I wish I could come back’

September 29, 2023
Robert Kennedy Jr to run as independent, could complicate Trump, Biden 2024 contest  

Robert Kennedy Jr to run as independent, could complicate Trump, Biden 2024 contest  

September 29, 2023
Dianne Feinstein, longest-serving female senator, dies aged 90

Dianne Feinstein, longest-serving female senator, dies aged 90

September 29, 2023
Nepo Baby of the Week: Is Kourtney Kardashian Finally Over Her Family?

Nepo Baby of the Week: Is Kourtney Kardashian Finally Over Her Family?

September 29, 2023
In Alabama, White Tide Rushes On

In Alabama, White Tide Rushes On

August 22, 2023

Copyright © 2023.

Site Navigation

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • U.S.
    • World
    • Politics
    • Opinion
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Science
  • Entertainment
    • Culture
    • Gaming
    • Music
    • Movie
    • Sports
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Tech
    • Apps
    • Autos
    • Gear
    • Mobile
    • Startup
  • Lifestyle
    • Arts
    • Fashion
    • Food
    • Health
    • Travel

Copyright © 2023.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT