Hearst Networks has signed a deal that will keep its channels, some already operated as a joint venture with Sky, on satellite and streaming services.
- Blaze and Crime+Investigation will remain available to viewers
- Company also operates Sky History and Sky History 2 as part of joint venture with the pay TV operator.
Sky will continue to offer viewers access to Hearst Network’s portfolio of factual entertainment channels in the UK and Ireland.
Hearst Networks, previously known as A+E Networks, operates Blaze, Crime+Investigation and two history channels. Across the UK and Ireland, History and H2 are co-branded with Sky becoming “Sky History” and “Sky History 2” as part of an earlier agreement between the two companies.
The new deal means the channels will continue to be available as traditional linear broadcast channels. Sky will also offer video-on-demand content from the services. Additionally, there’s an extension of the media sales relationship with Sky Media, who will continue to exclusively sell advertising on the services.
Of the four channels, three are paywalled and one – Blaze – is free-to-air.
Hearst also operates Irish versions of Blaze, Crime+Investigation and Sky History.
Corporate comment
Dean Possenniskie, Managing Director, UK & EMEA at Hearst Networks commented:
“We value Sky’s continued investment in our brands, and we are excited to build on the outstanding success of Sky History while growing the prominence of Crime+Investigation on Sky.”
Jon Simkin, MD Content Partnerships at Sky, added:
“We’re thrilled to strengthen our long-standing partnership with Hearst Networks, continuing to sell their advertising and deliver their distinctive content to our customers. Hearst Networks’ market-leading history and true-crime shows perfectly complement our unrivalled entertainment portfolio, which includes Sky Originals like Day of the Jackal, the best of the US on Sky Atlantic, Netflix, Discovery+, and much more.”
By: Marc Thornham | Image: Hearst Networks UK