Blue Ant Media teams with Smithsonian to launch UK 4K outfit

Jo Parkinson

Blue Ant Media and Smithsonian Networks have teamed to launch Blue Skye Entertainment, a new UK-based company exclusively focused on 4K content.

Canada-based Blue Ant, which runs specialty channels as well as producing and distributing non-fiction content, and the TV division of museum and research organisation Smithsonian, have appointed Jo Parkinson to run the new business.

Parkinson has worked for Liberty Global, Turner and Viacom, and was EMEA general manager of WWE until earlier this year. She will be managing director of Blue Skye, which will develop 4K content in the wildlife and nature categories and distribute it internationally.

It will also sell the existing 4K catalogue  from Blue Ant, which has been among the most active producers in the new ultra high-definition format making shows including Land of Gremlins (pictured). It committed to producing hundreds of hours of factual content in 4K.

“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.

He added: “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.”

Tom Hayden, president, Smithsonian Networks, said: “Blue Skye Entertainment is at the forefront of television’s evolution to 4K. 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.”