Peacock and Sky Team Up to Create Their First Comedy Together
Peacock and Sky have announced their first co-produced comedy venture, marking a new collaboration between the two networks. The news was confirmed by Peacock’s scripted chief, Lisa Katz, during the Content London conference. While Katz did not provide specific details about the project, Tina Fey recently shared at the Edinburgh TV Festival that she is developing a comedy titled The Cliffhanger, which UK TV trade publication Broadcast has reported will be produced for both Peacock and Sky. Fey is well-known for creating the acclaimed comedy 30 Rock, previously aired through Peacock’s parent company, NBC.
Historically, Peacock and Sky have successfully teamed up on drama series such as The Day of the Jackal and Lockerbie: A Search for Truth. Katz expressed confidence in the potential for comedy to thrive across different cultures, provided it includes an “American access point.” She acknowledged the variability in cultural humor, stating, "There are sometimes different sensibilities, some things that might be funny in one culture but not the other one. But the thing that works for us is having an American access point. If you have that way in, then that is helpful."
Beatrice Springborn, who oversees Comcast’s Universal International Studios and Universal Content Production, emphasized the importance of adaptability in today’s challenging market. She noted that another Peacock series, All Her Fault, was moved from Ireland to Chicago to better appeal to American audiences, resulting in strong ratings and acquisition by Sky in the UK.
Springborn, Katz, and Sky scripted executive Meghan Lyvers concurred that while the co-production market faces challenges, opportunities still exist to bring new shows to viewers. Lyvers referenced the adaptation of Nick Cave’s The Death of Bunny Munro, which reached audiences without a U.S. distributor. "Bunny Munro has been incredibly well received over here, yet we screened it in the States in May and it hasn’t landed," she noted. "I think it will land but it is taking more time. The U.S. is going through a cycle, and yes, it’s a cycle. I’m feeling a return to health."
