ITV Encore to launch on Sky

ITV is  launching ITV Encore, a new pay channel on Sky dedicated to the very best of ITV’s British drama.

The four-year partnership sees ITV launch its first new channel this year in eight years. From 2015, it will also screen original commissions with high quality production values, big name lead actors and compelling narratives penned by UK writers.

ITV content will be made available through Sky’s range of connected platforms including Sky+HD, Sky Go, NOW TV and Sky Store.

Adam Crozier, ITV Chief Executive, said:

“A key part of our strategy is to become the most watched, most loved and most talked about family of free and pay channels for every household and every advertiser in the UK.

“ITV’s brilliant dramas contributed to a fantastic on-screen performance last year – we had three out of the top five dramas in 2013, which helped us increase our share of viewing on the main channel for the first time in a decade.

“The time is absolutely right to build on our successful partnership with Sky with the launch of ITV Encore, which will be an important part of ITV’s family of channels, and will complement ITV3, home to our long-running, classic drama series.  ITV Encore is right in line with our strategy of growing non advertising revenues while at the same time creating even greater opportunities to showcase new drama.”