Sky Boss says discussions are still ongoing over the Warner Content deal

Dana Strong, CEO of Comcast-owned Sky Group, has promised that customers of British media conglomerate Warner Bros will continue to receive Discovery content on Sky platforms, saying discussions are underway with the studio to extend their content deal.

“We have been working with Warner for a long time,” Strong said, adding that they are “in discussions” about the future of their deal.

The deal, which mainly covers HBO content such as “Succession” and “And Just Like That,” expires next year. Given the rise of studio-owned streamers, at the start of the multi-year output deal it seemed unlikely that it would be extended, with WBD focused on funneling exclusive content to its own streaming offering Max.

Now that Max’s rollout has failed in some territories and the overall streaming landscape has changed, studios like Disney and presumably WBD are instead returning to the older model of licensing and windowing.

“That’s all starting to open up,” Strong acknowledged during a conversation at the Deloitte and Enders Analysis Media & Telecoms 2024 and Beyond Conference. “Regardless, in either scenario, Sky customers will have Warner content on Sky platforms.”

Strong also talked about Sky’s content strategy, outlining its three pillars: commissioning, acquisition and SVOD partnerships. Speaking about the commission, she reiterated Sky’s commitment to Britain, saying: “we are truly passionate about the British cultural sector.” In particular, she pointed to “tentpole” content like the upcoming remake of “The Day of the Jackal” starring Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch as key to the strategy, as well as series investments like “Gangs of London” that will retain customers return. The final part of the strategy is “content that surprises people,” for which she cited “Mary and George” and “The Tattooist of Auschwitz.” For the latter, she said, the first episode had a higher number of viewers than the first episode of the highly anticipated fourth (and final) season of “Succession.”

Strong also said that sport remains an integral part of Sky’s offering, pointing out that it is “more resilient than any form of linear, live content.”

“Sport is important for communities, it is important for families. It creates moments…Sky likes to be culturally relevant and right in the spirit of the times and create big moments.”