BLUE SKYE ENTERTAINMENT TO DEVELOP AND DISTRIBUTE WORLD’S LARGEST LIBRARY OF ULTRA HD (4K) WILDLIFE AND NATURE CONTENT WORLDWIDE
London, UK-based office appoints Jo Parkinson as Managing Director
(Toronto, ON/New York, NY, December 14, 2015) – Blue Ant Media, global leaders in 4K production and distribution, and Smithsonian Networks announced today that they are partnering on a new joint venture, Blue Skye Entertainment, to develop and distribute the world’s largest library of Ultra HD (4K) natural history and wildlife content. Blue Skye Entertainment, operating out of London, UK, will distribute this content globally via SVOD and linear television services under Blue Ant Media’s Love Nature brand and Smithsonian Network’s stand-alone streaming service, Smithsonian Earth.
“Together, Smithsonian Networks and Blue Ant Media will bring stunning and engaging 4K wildlife and nature content to audiences all over the world,” said Raja Khanna, CEO, Television & Digital, Blue Ant Media. “Blue Skye is the international evolution of our existing relationship with Smithsonian Networks, which has already seen us work together to bring Smithsonian Channel to Canadian audiences.”
“Blue Skye Entertainment is at the forefront of television’s evolution to 4K,” said Tom Hayden, President, Smithsonian Networks. “As worldwide leaders in the natural history category, Smithsonian Networks and Blue Ant Media are joining forces to deliver the best nature and wildlife programming to viewers everywhere.”
Joining Blue Skye Entertainment is Jo Parkinson, appointed to the Managing Director role. With experience on both the operator and network sides, she has a proven track record of driving success at companies such as BSkyB, Time Warner, Viacom and Liberty Global. In her most recent role at WWE’s London office as Vice President and General Manager, Parkinson was responsible for growing the WWE Network across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
For more information on Love Nature’s linear channels, app and content, please visit blueantmedia.com/LoveNature.
Blue Ant Media is a privately held international media company that owns and operates 10 media brands including Cottage Life, Love Nature, Smithsonian Channel Canada and Makeful. Blue Ant Media creates and distributes content worldwide ranging from nature to DIY, outdoor living to music, engaging fans across television, digital, magazines and live events. The company also owns Omnia Media, a YouTube network and Choice TV, a broadcast channel in New Zealand. Blue Ant Media is based in Toronto and has offices in Los Angeles, London (UK) and Auckland. blueantmedia.com
Smithsonian Networks is a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution. Smithsonian Networks operates Smithsonian Channel, the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Earth, a new subscription video streaming service delivering spectacular original nature and wildlife content.
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