by Thinus Ferreira
The Sky pay-TV operator in the United Kingdom on Tuesday announced that it's creating its own Sky Studios Elstree as a Hollywood-type film and TV studio that will create 2 000 jobs and that should open its lot doors by 2022.
Sky Studios Elstree northwest of London and besides the existing Elstree Studios will encompass 14 sound stages and will become the European production base for Sky and NBCUniversal.
Sky, the parent firm of Sky News (DStv 402), said that the hope is that Sky Studios Elstree would also be used by other broadcasters and producers and will result in £3 billion being spent on TV and film productions in its first 5 years.
MultiChoice in South Afica has created the MultiChoice Studios name but doesn't have a huge studio lot called MultiChoice Studios.
Sky in a statement said that "development is expected to open in 2022 and will be able to facilitate the production of several films and TV shows simultaneously, with each of the 14 sound stages covering over 20 000 square feet".
"Once complete, the site will include production offices, a set construction workshop, a screening cinema and state-of-the-art post-production and digital facilities. Sky is also committed to supporting the next generation of young and diverse creative talent and will use Sky Studios Elstree to build on its existing work."
Sky said that "the creation of Sky Studios Elstree will provide a new home for Britain's flourishing creative sector and much needed space for Europe’s brightest talent. It will provide significant capacity for Sky Studios to produce more original content in-house, while continuing to work with independent production companies across Europe".
"The new studio space will also play host to major film productions from Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Working Title, and television series from NBCUniversal Content Studios. It will also have capacity to host productions from third-party producers."
Jeremy Darroch, Sky group CEO, says "Sky Studios Elstree will play a pivotal role in bringing the wealth of United Kingdom and European talent and creativity to the world."
"We know our customers love our award-winning Sky Originals like Chernobyl and our investment in Sky Studios Elstree will enable us to bring more unique stories to more viewers. We are proud to be working with our colleagues at NBCUniversal and Comcast".
