ITV

Tag: Sky

  • FremantleMedia bags distribution rights to Jude Law’s ‘The Young Pope’

    FremantleMedia bags distribution rights to Jude Law’s ‘The Young Pope’

    MUMBAI: From the Academy Award-winning director, Paolo Sorrentino comes one of the most exciting projects, which was announced at last week’s Cannes Film Festival, The Young Pope.

     

    Starring the two-time Academy Award nominee Jude Law, The Young Pope tells the controversial story of the beginning of PIUS XIII’s Pontificate. With the exclusive international distribution (outside of partner territories) handled by FremantleMedia International (FMI), The Young Pope is set to begin production this summer.

     

    Born Lenny Belardo, PIUS XIII is a complex and conflicted character, so conservative in his choices as to border on obscurantism, yet full of compassion towards the weak and poor. He is a man of great power who is stubbornly resistant to the Vatican courtiers, unconcerned with the implications to his authority. During the series, Belardo will face losing those closest to him and the constant fear of being abandoned, even by his God.

     

    FremantleMedia International CEO Jens Richter said, “The Young Pope combines a fantastic story with a brilliant pedigree of talent in the form of a world-renowned director in Paolo Sorrentino, an outstanding production team in Wildside and an extraordinary lead man in Jude Law. The series has all of the ingredients to become a hallmark drama and FMI is thrilled to have secured the rights for its catalogue.”

     

    The series is a joint production of Sky, HBO and Canal +. All eight episodes will be directed by Sorrentino and written by Sorrentino in collaboration with Tony Grisoni, Umberto Contarello and Stefano Rulli.

     

    The series is being produced by Wildside, and co-produced by Haut et Court TV.

  • Sky expands kids VoD offering by 600%

    Sky expands kids VoD offering by 600%

    NEW DELHI: UK and Ireland’s connected TV platform Sky, is expanding its kids shows on its on demand library by almost 600 per cent.

     

    From Adventure Time to Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom and iCarly, Sky will offer plenty more kids TV on demand – with the number of episodes of family favourites increasing from 700 to around 4,000 over the coming months.

     

    The ambitious changes mean that Sky’s on demand service will be home to more episodes of the most-watched kids’ shows than any other provider – all ready to watch from one dedicated section on the Sky+ homepage for the first time.

     

    Connected customers will be able to watch previous series of The Octonauts exclusively on demand plus there will be even more episodes of popular series like SpongeBob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer, Horrible Histories and Ben 10.

     

    The 600 per cent increase in programming follows a number of new deals signed with rights holders including Viacom and Turner that form part of a multi-million pound commitment to making Sky a leading destination for kids TV on demand.

     

    What’s more kids TV on demand will be available at no extra cost to customers with the Variety and Family bundles.

     

    Sky brand director – TV products Luke Bradley-Jones said, “I know from my own kids that they just want to watch their favourite TV characters including Ben and Dora whenever they can. And parents want the convenience of a quick and simple way to access lots of episodes all in one place. That’s why we’re massively expanding the variety and number of shows available on demand – and putting them front and centre of the Sky+ TV Guide. For our customers it means a huge library of kids shows, all there at the touch of a button.”

     

    Sky customers will be able to quickly access this huge library of on demand kids TV straight from the Sky+ homepage as part of the latest update to customers’ Sky+HD boxes rolling out from this week. A new tile will open up a one-stop-shop of all the kids shows and movies available on demand, all kids TV recordings, plus a quick view of what’s on now on linear channels like CBeebies and Nick Jr.

     

    Sky, which has almost seven million customers in Britain and Ireland on its on demand services, saw downloads of on demand shows and movies touching over 300 million in the last three months, up by more than 60 per cent year on year.

  • 44% adults used Internet TV via STBS in the last 12 months: Ofcom

    44% adults used Internet TV via STBS in the last 12 months: Ofcom

    MUMBAI: Close to 44 per cent (over four in ten) adults in the UK had used an internet connected TV – most via set-top boxes such as TiVo or Sky – in the last 12 months. Some 34 per cent had watched catch-up TV services via connected TVs or set-top boxes.

     

    Moreover, Ofcom’s research into UK audience attitudes to content on TV and radio showed that households surveyed owned two TV sets on average.

     

    This research covered what people find offensive on TV and radio, their awareness of and attitudes towards regulation and their understanding of advertising and product placement.

     

    The report also includes research on consumers’ access to and views on internet ‘connected devices’, which are used to watch services like the BBC iPlayer, 4oD, ITV Player, YouTube and Netflix.

     

    The research further found that nearly half (49 per cent) of adult TV viewers felt the quality of TV programmes had stayed the same in the past year, three in ten (30 per cent) felt they had got worse, and around 16 per cent said TV had improved.

     

    Among those who thought programmes had got worse, the top reasons were repeats (57 per cent), a lack of variety (43 per cent), a general lack of quality (32 per cent) and too many reality shows (30 per cent). Among those who said programmes had improved, the top reasons were a wider range of shows (50 per cent), improved quality (48 per cent), more entertaining shows (37 per cent) and better dramas (33 per cent).

     

    Offensive material on TV

     

    Close to 79 per cent people had not been offended by anything on TV in the past year. However, one in five had found something offensive, rising to a third (33 per cent) for people aged 65 and over. Those aged between 16 and 24 were least likely to be offended (nine per cent compared with 33 per cent of over 65s).

     

    Of those who had been offended, bad language (44 per cent), violence (41 per cent) and sexual content (41 per cent) were the top concerns. Adults below 45 years old were more likely to say they had been offended by some type of discrimination (29 per cent compared with 19 per cent of over-45s).

     

    On average, about half of all people thought current levels of sex (57 per cent), violence (47 per cent) and swearing (52 per cent) on TV were acceptable. Four in ten felt there was too much violence (43 per cent) and swearing (40 per cent), while nearly three in ten (28 per cent) said there was too much sex.

     

    Attitudes differed by age: younger adults were more likely to feel there is an acceptable amount of violence, swearing and sex, while older adults tended to feel there is too much.

     

    High awareness of regulation

     

    The vast majority of adult TV viewers (90 per cent) knew about the 9 pm watershed, with over half (57 per cent) saying about 9 pm was the right time while around a quarter (27 per cent) said the watershed should be later.

     

    The report found a clear understanding about what broadcast content is regulated, with over eight in ten (82 per cent) adults aware that TV is regulated. Most adults felt the current levels of TV and radio regulation were about right (61 per cent), or did not have an opinion (18 per cent for TV and 33 per cent for radio).

     

    The research showed that 14 per cent of adult TV viewers could identify the ‘P’ symbol, which is designed to let viewers know the channel, or the programme-maker, has been paid to include products in that programme.

     

    Protecting viewers

     

    Ofcom has a duty to protect viewers from harmful and offensive material on TV and radio, as well as ‘TV like’ content on internet connected devices. When broadcasters break the rules, Ofcom takes robust enforcement action and has issued guidance to broadcasters on how they should enforce the watershed.

     

    The majority of viewing today is live on the TV and many of the programmes delivered over the internet to connected devices in the UK were first aired on TV; because of this, they are subject to Ofcom’s rules.

     

    However, people now watch programmes in a variety of ways, and on different devices, which poses challenges for parents and regulators. Hence, Ofcom is working with government, other regulators and industry to bring about a common framework for media standards.

  • Telecom Italia & Rupert Murdoch’s Sky partner for Internet TV service

    Telecom Italia & Rupert Murdoch’s Sky partner for Internet TV service

    MUMBAI: Fibre-optic cable TV has landed in Italy as part of a strategic partnership between Telecom Italia and Rupert Murdoch’s Sky. The companies will be sharing their assets and their respective expertise to bring forth a key business project that will also boost ultra-broadband demand in Italy.

     

    With this partnership, the two companies take a crucial step forward towards “convergence” between media and TLC, as the deal makes way for the first “quadruple play” offer in Italy, integrating landline and mobile services, broadband and ultra-broadband connectivity and premium television content available “anytime and anywhere” on all Internet-connected devices.

     

    The excellence of content and the uniqueness of Sky’s viewing experience turn into drivers for spreading TIM’s ultra-broadband and, at the same time, the access to Telecom Italia’s latest generation networks allows Sky to benefit from a new distribution platform for its content and services offer.

     

    The initiative strengthens TIM’s strategy in distributing innovative services and confirms its role as technology enabler thanks to very high-speed networks, thus bringing more and more households closer to the very quality of content and the new modes to enjoy the Sky-branded viewing experience.

     

    Similarly, the agreement with Telecom Italia does carry a strategic meaning for Sky too, as it makes all its wide-ranging offer of programs and exclusive services available on broadband and on ultra-broadband networks as well thus extending pay TV scope to reach out, for example, those prospects who reside in the city centers of the many Italian art cities and cannot install the satellite dish and therefore access Italy’s best TV offer.

     

    The TIM Sky joint offer will be available for TIM’s private customers with a fibre-optic connection from 30 to 100 Mbit/s and 20 Mbit/s ADSL.

     

    With TIM’s broadband and ultra-broadband networks, Sky’s television offer and user experience will equal those available via satellite. An offering featuring more than 150 channels, with all the quality of HD (about 60 HD channels and one 3D channel) and with all the innovative features that make viewing experience unique, from Sky On Demand, the video-library with more than 2500 titles to be watched at any time, to Restart, the service enabling subs to restart a movie already on air from the very beginning. All the other My Sky HD features allowing customers to record their favorite programs, pause a live show or watch again whatever scene with the replay, will be active within the summer.

     

    For the first year, the TIM Sky offer will be proposed, as a promotion, starting from €14 per month for users already with fibre or ADSL connectivity and from €39 per month for a quadruple play package (internet landline and mobile, voice and TV content).

     

    Telecom Italia CEO Marco Patuano said, “Today, in Italy, with Sky, we are starting a new collaboration model between Telco and Media Companies that allows us to go to the market with a fully convergent offer. We are convinced that this strategic deal is an important driver for the development of the new ultra-broadband networks and of the innovative technologies that are at the core of our business plan featuring more than 5 billion euros investments for the three years period 2015-2017. We are particularly pleased with this partnership as it allows our customers to access exclusive and high quality content thanks to Telecom Italia’s technological expertise and Sky’s editorial richness.”

     

    “This partnership is an example of how two leading companies, that have always been investing in innovation, can join together to create something that until recently was not even possible in Italy, therefore boosting demand, so far only potential, for quality pay TV also through ultra-broadband. From now on Telecom Italia’s fibre will bring all the richness of content and the excellence of Sky’s viewing experience, with HD, on demand, Restart, My Sky features, into the houses of millions of Italian families who, for various reasons, could not install a dish. Sky is currently present on all the main distribution platforms and this agreement does carry a strong strategic value for us as it broadens Sky’s commercial prospects base. To understand its importance just think that in the UK almost 20% of households enjoy a pay TV offer through cable or broadband,” added Sky Italia CEO Andrea Zappia.

  • Sky’s Jeremy Darroch to give keynote at MIPTV

    Sky’s Jeremy Darroch to give keynote at MIPTV

    MUMBAI: Sky group CEP Jeremy Darroch will give a media mastermind keynote on 13 April, 2015, as part of the MIPTV conference programme, it was announced by Reed MIDEM, organiser of MIPTV.

     

    Darroch became the group chief executive of Sky following the acquisition of Sky Italia and a majority interest in Sky Deutschland, which transformed the pay TV and home communications company into one of Europe’s leading investors in content.

     

    The MIPTV keynote will be the first time Darroch will address the international media industry since completing the transaction. This year, the theme for MIPTV conference is “The Millennial Shift,” tapping into the heart of this savvy generation of media users whose habits are shifting to newer forms of entertainment.

     

    In three strands of conferences, MIP Digital Fronts, Drama at MIPTV and Junior@MIPTV, this year’s programme will offer the global media industry unprecedented access to the hottest entertainment trends, companies, personalities and emerging media players on the cutting edge when it comes to engaging and embracing millennials.

     

    Darroch joined Sky in 2004 as CFO, and was appointed chief executive of the company in 2007. Under his leadership, Sky has grown into Europe’s leading entertainment company, increasing spend on its own original commissions as well as striking partnerships with some of the world’s biggest content producers.

     

    He said, “2015 will be a great year for entertainment programming on Sky. The launch this month of Fortitude, our most ambitious drama yet, and the first to launch simultaneously across all five of our markets, is just the first in a slate of exciting new shows that we are bringing to screen this year. I look forward to coming to MIPTV 2015 to lift the lid on our plans and talk to the industry about the scale of the opportunity as we work together to create a powerhouse for TV content across Europe.”

     

    Reed MIDEM director of television Laurine Garaude added, “We are privileged to welcome Jeremy Darroch for this keynote address. Given Sky’s pivotal position in the creation of original content with transnational appeal, his insight will be of great value to the MIPTV audience.”

     

  • Vice Media, Shane Smith & Star India

    Vice Media, Shane Smith & Star India

    CANNES: Shane Smith is your typical journalist. He dresses in jeans and a T-shirt, even when he is delivering  a keynote at the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes during the currently ongoing MipTV. But Smith also heads a company Vice Media which is believed to be the next big thing to news TV journalism just as CNN was in its early days.

     

    Vice has a valuation of $1.4 billion courtesy a multimillion dollar investment in his company by global media baron Rupert Murdoch’s Twenty First Century Fox which gave the latter a 5 per cent equity stake. Vice Media has its web site vice.com, its youtube channels, a magazine, a show on HBO, among many other initiatives.

     

    During the course of an interview Smith was quite clear why he agreed to the Fox deal.

     

    Said he: “It is impossible to become an international media brand on your own. There’s  carriage issues, there’s legal issues, there’s a myriad of other things. if you look at ESPN, CNN and MTV,  ESPN sold out to Disney, CNN to Time Warner, and MTV Viacom. We wanted to stay independent. Fox gave us the entrée into India with Star, entrée into Europe with Sky, film with Twentieth Century Fox.  They helped us to get into all those territories. Yet at the same time it is a sub five per cent investment. We own the company, we run the company, 80 per cent of it, and I own 95 per cent of the board. It’s a way of staying independent, yet becoming that fifth media brand.”

     

    Smith stated that CNN, ESPN and MTV belong to another era – they were the benchmarks of the cable TV revolution.  And they are not the business role models for today. “In the world of online, if you look at some of the numbers, if you look at what we can do internationally and how you can reach people. You know I am not going to be the next CNN. I am not going to be the next ESPN. I am not going to be the next MTV. I am going to be 10X CNN, 10X MTV and 10X ESPN,” he opined quite confidently. ”Because the numbers now in terms of the video views are now in the billions. That’s the disruption, that’s the revolution.”

     

    Smith was in Cannes to launch his online food channel joint venture with Fremantle Media called Munchies.  The channel is slated to have more than 100 hours of short form clips, half hour shows and hour long shows. Targeted at Gen Y, Smith expects munchies.tv  to generate hundreds of millions of views this year from the current 50 million views its food shows on You tube generate.  Munchies’ initial slate of shows includes Fresh Off The Boat, Being Frank, Girl Eats Food, Chef’s Night Out and F*ck, That’s Delicious

     

    The goateed journo turned media-preneur is quite sanguine that his company will do revenues of about $500 million by end 2014, almost three times its 2012 revenues of $170 million. And he is quite clear he will continue wearing both his journalist and CEO hats.  Said he:  “I think you if you want to make cars, you better love cars. You want to make shoes, you better love shoes. I love content. I am a content company. A, I am not going to send a reporter somewhere where I am not going to go myself. B, I have to know every piece of content,  that is to be made. How do we shoot it, how doe we edit it, how do we put it out, how do we activate it. Otherwise I should not be running a content company.  And since we are a content company, that’s what I do. And the other half of it is, try to make that work, trying to grow audience, try to make money.”

     

    With an audience in excess of 15-20 million worldwide, and several language editions, Vice Media might well get there.

  • Sky and FX Networks partner to co-fund and co-develop brand new comedy

    Sky and FX Networks partner to co-fund and co-develop brand new comedy

    MUMBAI: On Thursday, 20 March, Sky and FX Networks announced an agreement to work together to develop brand new post-watershed comedy for audiences on both sides of the Atlantic. The two-year agreement will see Sky and FX Networks co-fund and co-develop new half-hour scripted comedy.

     

    If the projects are commissioned, the shows would be broadcast on Sky1 HD or Sky Atlantic HD in the UK and Ireland and FX Networks channels in the US.

     

    The co-development deal builds on Sky and FX Networks’ expertise in creating distinctive, award-winning comedy and will involve the very best on- and off-screen talent from both Britain and the US. The goal is to create new shows that will sit alongside series such as Sky’s A Touch of Cloth and Alan Partridge’s Mid-Morning Matters and FX Networks’ Louie and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Home-grown Sky shows that have previously been broadcast on US networks include An Idiot Abroad, a Young Doctor’s Notebook, Spy, Moone Boy and Doll & Em. 

     

    Sky head of comedy Lucy Lumsden, expressed her excitement about working with FX Networks to develop distinctive brand new comedy and further strengthen Sky’s commitment to original home-grown programming.

     

    FX Networks and FX Productions president of original programming Eric Schrier sates in a press release: “We are truly excited to partner with Sky and create comedies that will bridge the Atlantic and entertain audiences in both the UK and US.  This particular partnership will open doors for us to discover new comedy talent and develop their stories in this unique foreign exchange program.”  

     

    The agreement coincides with Sky launching its biggest ever year of entertainment, featuring brand new comedy and drama from stars including Chris O’Dowd, Nick Frost, Olivia Colman, Emily Mortimer and Dominic Cooper and new shows from the makers of Rev and Spooks. 

     

    Alongside new series launches, Sky has confirmed that Mount Pleasant, Trollied and the award-winning Stella will all be back for its fourth series. The deal also reinforces Sky’s commitment to producing brand new original home-grown content for customers. This year Sky will invest ?600 million in original British production across its channels.

     

    Sky began its drive into comedy in 2009 and was swiftly established as a central player in the UK television comedy landscape. Working some of the best talent in the industry and commissioning across Sky’s portfolio of channels, hit comedies number titles as diverse as Moone Boy, Doll & Em, Hunderby, Alan Partridge: Welcome to The Places of My Life, A Young Doctor’s Notebook, Spy, Psychobitches and the series of short films, Little Crackers. These comedy commissions have earned a raft of award wins at the International Emmys, the BAFTAs, the RTS Awards, British Comedy Awards, the Rose d’Or Festival and others.

     

    Titles set to launch this year include Mr Sloane created by Bob Weide (Curb Your Enthusiasm) and starring Nick Frost which debuts this spring, Charlie Brooker’s A Touch of Cloth will return for a third chapter this summer and Matthew Perry stars in Jon Ronson’s The Dog Thrower.

     

    In 2014, FX Networks will air ten original comedy series across two of its three channels, FX and FXX. FX televises the Emmy, AFI, TCA and Peabody award-winning Louie, which is the most critically-acclaimed comedy on American television, and the acclaimed animated comedies Archer and Chozen. This summer FX will launch two new comedies, Married starring Nat Faxon and Judy Greer, and You’re the Worst starring Aya Cash and Chris Geere.  The FXX comedy roster includes the acclaimed hit series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The League, Wilfred, Legit, and Ali G: Rezurection.

     

    FX Networks has been very active in comedy development and production.  In addition to the recent series orders of Married and You’re the Worst, FX Networks has seven comedy pilots in various stages of production for either FX or FXX.

     

    They include Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll created by and starring Denis Leary; the untitled Zach Galifianakis project created by and starring Galifianakis, and produced by Galifianakis and Louis C.K.; The Comedians, from Larry Charles, Matt Nix, Ben Wexler and Billy Crystal, which stars Billy Crystal and Josh Gad; Do or Die starring Tracy Morgan; How & Why created by Charlie Kaufman and starring Michael Cera and John Hawkes; Man Seeking Woman from Simon Rich; and the animated comedy series Bigfoot from Seth Rogen and produced by Rogen and Adam Reed and Matt Thompson.

  • Sky’s the limit for ITV

    Sky’s the limit for ITV

    MUMBAI: It was in July last year that ITV Media acquired News X, giving it a toehold in the English news space. Apart from News X, the ITV Network comprises one Hindi news channel – India News, and five regional channels.

    For a while now, ITV has been busy strengthening the popularity and reach of News X and India News in a bid to get to the top of the news channels’ pile.

    As far as News X goes, it was only post the acquisition that its distribution improved. Today, all six metros and over one million markets can view the channel on both cable and DTH platforms. This apart, News X can also be availed on mobile TV platforms such as ZengaTV and NexGtv.

    Programming-wise, the channel is witnessing significant changes with the focus increasingly shifting from debates and entertainment to hard news. To top it, the network is expanding its presence through both B2B and B2C platforms.

    Both News X and India News have been on a hiring spree since earlier this year, roping in renowned journalists from competing channels to lead them.

    News X recently consolidated its team by getting on board the likes of Rahul Shivshankar, Diptosh Majumdar and Raktim Das in key positions.

    Whereas, Deepak Chaurasia, known for his election-based shows such as Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri and Kaun Banega Pradhanmantri on ABP News (formerly Star News) and Aaj Tak, was brought in as editor of India News earlier this year.

    The idea behind hiring such journalists with years of experience behind them is that they come with dedicated viewers, who would watch a channel just to see their favourite anchor on the screen. Elaborates ITV Network CEO RK Arora: “In Hindi news channels, no journalist has such a high viewership as Deepak Chaurasia. This would lead to ardent followers coming and viewing our channel.”

    According to TAM data provided by the network, News X shows highs and lows in terms of viewership patterns between week 18 and week 36 while India News seems to have considerably gained mileage with week 36 docking in 29570 GVTs as compared to 9902 GVTs in week 31.

    All said, both news channels have a long way to go before they can surpass benchmark creators like CNN-IBN, NDTV 24 x 7, Aaj Tak and ABP News among others.

    Historically speaking, INX News (News X) was started by Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani, who subsequently sold it to IndiMedia following an unsuccessful attempt at running it. After which, it once again exchanged hands with ITV Media, owner of India News. The company is promoted by Kartikeya Sharma.

    History or no history, the network seems bullish about sprucing up its two news channels. Just as well they may succeed some day…

  • Soccer icon David Beckham join Sky to promote sports through long-term partnership

    Soccer icon David Beckham join Sky to promote sports through long-term partnership

    MUMBAI: Soccer icon David Beckham is joining British pay TV service provider Sky as an ambassador work to support grassroots sport and encourage participation across Britain and Ireland.

    During this long-term partnership, Beckham will also feature in ads to promote sport and services offered by Sky.

    In his role as a Sky ambassador, he will help to use the power of sport to change lives through the Sky Sports Living for Sport initiative. Now in its tenth year, this free initiative uses the stories and expertise of athlete mentors to inspire young people to learn new skills and improve their lives. Around 30,000 young people a year participate in the programme, which reaches one third of all secondary schools in Britain and has just launched in Ireland. Beckham is managed by Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment.

    In joining Sky, Beckham teams up with other sporting icons part of the company’s support for British sport and grassroots participation. They include Olympic gold medalist Jessica Ennis CBE, who became an ambassador for Sky Sports last year; Sir David Brailsford, Principal of Team Sky and the architect behind the exceptional performance of British Cycling; and Sir Bradley Wiggins, five times Olympic gold medalist and first ever British winner of the Tour de France.

    Beckham said, “Sky have followed my career since I broke into the Manchester United first team. They have done a huge amount to promote and encourage involvement in sport in Britain and I am delighted to be joining them. I have always been passionate about the importance of sport in the lives of young people. It is not all about winning – just getting involved in sport gives you confidence and skills for life. I was lucky to have some amazing role models when I was younger, and I am excited about the opportunity to work with Sky to pass on some of that knowledge to the next generation.”

    Sky CEO Jeremy Darroch said, “It is great to welcome David to Sky. Sport is at the heart of what we do and both we and David believe in its power to excite, inspire and change lives. As a hero and inspiration on and off the field, David is a perfect ambassador to help us get more people involved in sport.”

  • Soccer icon David Beckham joins Sky to promote sports through long-term partnership

    Soccer icon David Beckham joins Sky to promote sports through long-term partnership

    MUMBAI: Soccer icon David Beckham is joining British pay TV service provider Sky as an ambassador work to support grassroots sport and encourage participation across Britain and Ireland.

     

    During this long-term partnership, Beckham will also feature in ads to promote sport and services offered by Sky.

     

    In his role as a Sky ambassador, he will help to use the power of sport to change lives through the Sky Sports Living for Sport initiative. Now in its tenth year, this free initiative uses the stories and expertise of athlete mentors to inspire young people to learn new skills and improve their lives. Around 30,000 young people a year participate in the programme, which reaches one third of all secondary schools in Britain and has just launched in Ireland. Beckham is managed by Simon Fuller’s XIX Entertainment.

     

    In joining Sky, Beckham teams up with other sporting icons part of the company’s support for British sport and grassroots participation. They include Olympic gold medalist Jessica Ennis CBE, who became an ambassador for Sky Sports last year; Sir David Brailsford, Principal of Team Sky and the architect behind the exceptional performance of British Cycling; and Sir Bradley Wiggins, five times Olympic gold medalist and first ever British winner of the Tour de France.

     

    Beckham said, “Sky have followed my career since I broke into the Manchester United first team. They have done a huge amount to promote and encourage involvement in sport in Britain and I am delighted to be joining them. I have always been passionate about the importance of sport in the lives of young people. It is not all about winning – just getting involved in sport gives you confidence and skills for life. I was lucky to have some amazing role models when I was younger, and I am excited about the opportunity to work with Sky to pass on some of that knowledge to the next generation.”

     

    Sky CEO Jeremy Darroch said, “It is great to welcome David to Sky. Sport is at the heart of what we do and both we and David believe in its power to excite, inspire and change lives. As a hero and inspiration on and off the field, David is a perfect ambassador to help us get more people involved in sport.”