MUMBAI: Sky has taken a majority stake in Blast! Films, the independent production company responsible for hit series The Supervet, The Route Masters and 999: What's Your Emergency?

Founded in 1994, Blast! Films is one of the UK’s longest established independent production companies and has produced award-winning films, including Hunger, Steve McQueen's debut feature, The Channel 4 film of the opera The Death of Klinghoffer and the Bafta-winning drama Soundproof. 

Blast! Films will continue to operate as a distinct company under the new ownership structure, producing programmes and films for a variety of broadcasters. Blast! Films founder and creative director Ed Coulthard and managing director Claire Bosworth will run the company with their current team. 

Sky’s international distribution business, Sky Vision, will become Blast! Films’ distribution partner, and will represent new programmes and formats. Blast! Films’ existing agreements with other broadcasters and distributors will remain unchanged.

Coulthard said, “Sky really gets the Blast! Films DNA. As programme makers we are passionate about quality and this is a great fit for us as we continue to evolve the company. I'm really proud of the team we've built here and this deal allows us to continue to attract great talent, keep raising the bar and be ambitious about what we can achieve." 

Sky Vision managing director Jane Millichip added, “Blast! Films has an incredible pedigree. Ed Coulthard is a first-class producer, and together with Claire Bosworth and team, they have a production slate that combines creative excellence with real commercial appeal. We look forward to working with them to build on their success in the UK and internationally.”

Sky has stakes in several independent production companies including Jupiter Entertainment, Love Productions, and Znak & Jones, all of which partner with Sky Vision on domestic and international distribution.