Chris Dziadul Analysis: SkyShowtime's quick start

SkyShowtime describes itself as “the best of Hollywood with local sprinkles.” Launched in early 2023 as a joint venture between Comcast and Paramount Global, it is also one of Europe’s newest streaming services and currently present in 22 countries across the continent.

Speaking in a Q&A at NEM Dubrovnik, its CEO Monty Sarhan emphasised that while 50% of its offer is Hollywood Box Office, which is more than that of any other streamer, it is very much a European service. Indeed, others “just happen to operate here.”

He also said that it is available in 19 languages and localises a lot of its content. What is more, it premiered 10 original series in 2023 and is on track to unveil a further 8-10 this year.

Sarhan added that SkyShowtime is “always open to good stories which we can do in partnership.” He also underlined how different the markets it operates in are, not least within Central and Eastern Europe.  

A good case in point is Poland, which is the largest in the region and where, like in many other countries, there is a sharp divide between the cities and countryside. Last year SkyShowtime released Warszawianka, an original 11-episode series on life in the Polish capital and it is following up with Sleboda, set in the country’s Podhale region and its first locally commissioned original programming project in the CEE region.

Interestingly, Sarhan said SkyShowtime is the only streamer that talks about value. Furthermore, unlike others, it has an ad tier across its entire footprint. People, he added, are looking for a more affordable option and this is all about giving them choice.

Although Sarhan did not mention an important recent development in the CEE region, namely its first B2B partnership, with Digi Romania, he struck a positive note about future local productions from smaller markets. However, “the challenge is you have to make the economics work.”

 

© Chris Dziadul, 2024