Pay-TV giant acquired film about England’s triumph in 2019 World Cup

the greatest game

The Greatest Game

Sky picks up England Cricket World Cup doc

Sky has acquired Sylver Entertainment’s feature length doc about the England 2019 Cricket World Cup final. The Greatest Game tells the story of England’s victory over New Zealand in the Super Over. The Greatest Game was produced in collaboration with Starfield Films and Pitch Productions’, with former cricketer and co-founder of Starfield Simon Hughes exec producing and writing the film alongside director Ashley Gething. Victoria Barrell and Simon Lazenby, co-founders of Sylver Entertainment, the indie behind sports doc McEnroe, are the producers. The doc will premiere on Sky Sports Cricket on 5 November. Co-producers Pitch are also handling distribution.

BBC Studios preps Stormzy special for BBC1

BBC Studios Music Productions is producing a BBC1 special about the musician Stormzy, his music and his influence on culture. The 1 x 45-minute A Stormzy Special will featuring the artist in conversation with 1Xtra and Radio 2 DJ Trevor Nelson and performing songs from his new album live from the world-famous Abbey Road Studios. He will talk about his rise to fame and making his third studio album This Is What I Mean. The exec producer is Alison Howe (Glastonbury in the 90s) and it was directed by Janet Fraser Crook (The Real Full Monty). It was commissioned by the BBC’s head of pop music TV Jonathan Rothery, who took the newly-created role in July after a decade at C4. The programme will air on 15 November at 10.40pm, while on the same day, special programming celebrating Stormzy will air on Radio 1, Radio 2 and 1Xtra.

Paramount and Virgin Media renew distribution deal

Paramount and Virgin Media have extended their long-term partnership with a multi-year distribution deal which will see the fledgling streaming service Paramount+ debut on Virgin TV in 2023. The deal will see full app integration on Virgin Media’s set-top boxes and will allow customers access to Paramount + as well as FAST service Pluto TV. Pluto TV’s channel line-up will also launch on a dedicated FAST section of Virgin TV’s electronic programme guide next year, allowing customers smooth access.