Wednesday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

Sky picks up hit kids show Sam & Julia - The Mouse Mansion

Sky has acquired award-winning animated series Sam & Julia (78 x 7 minutes) for Sky Kids and streamer Now in the UK. With this latest deal, The lovingly crafted  ZDF Studios-distributed series brings to life a unique, handmade universe built from cardboard boxes, vintage fabrics and household odds and ends. The series is based on the bestselling Dutch children’s book series by Karina Schaapman. The series is already available in 100 countries.

Sony Pictures Entertainment and Movistar Plus+ re-up content deal 

Spanish streamer Movistar Plus+ and Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) have today announced a renewal of their wide-raning film and television series content pact. Under the deal, Movistar Plus+ will continue to be the exclusive pay 1 home in Spain for Sony Pictures feature films, following theatrical and home entertainment windows, and will bring to customers high-profile titles from SPE’s TV and film catalogue. Mark Young, EVP, distribution & networks at Sony Pictures Television, said: “It is fantastic to announce the extension of this strong, long-standing content partnership with Movistar Plus+. We have a slate of feature and television titles here that we are extremely proud of, and we can’t wait for audiences in Spain to get to enjoy them following their theatrical window. 

Daniel Domenjó, CEO of Movistar Plus+: “Through this agreement with Sony Pictures Entertainment our clients will be able to access the studio’s biggest titles, consolidating Movistar Plus+ as the home of cinema in Spain.

“We want to have the best film offer in Spain and be the first to showcase the biggest international titles. The renewal of our partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment is a solid step forward for it.”

Finite Films & TV launches unscripted division 

Indie Finite Films & TV has launched an unscripted division with original celebrity competition short-form series, Wings & Waves (16 x 12.5 minutes). The first series of the new water sports format complete production in Italy last week and was released on the North Sails Kiteboarding YouTube channel on 7 July.

Wings & Waves is an original water sports competition series, featuring six celebrities participating in a series of kiteboarding and wingfoiling competitions. Working with three world class instructors ,the celebrities go head-to-head to overcome a variety of competition milestones including body dragging, upwind riding and wing foil. The contestants compete in a final round to take home the winning prize, judged by two guest judges Francesca Maini and Matteo Dorotini who will determine the winner.

The series, which was filmed in Sardinia, features 1-2-1 interviews with each contestant throughout the competition, as well as insights into their background stories and daily lessons with their coaches on the water. 

Amy Gardner, exec producer of Wings & Waves and Finite Films & TV founder, said: “Wings & Waves takes televised sports to a new level. In each episode, the contestants are pushed outside their comfort zone, supporting each other throughout this once in a lifetime adventure.

“We’re not only capturing the competition on the water, but the personal journeys and transformations that happen when you take on a challenge like this.”