Sky Studios brings German & Italian scripted shows under Nils Hartmann

Nils Hartmann

Sky Studios has handed veteran exec Nils Hartmann responsibility for its originals strategy in Germany, in addition to his remit at Sky Italia.

Hartmann becomes SVP of Sky Studios Deutschland & Italia, leading the development, commissioning and production of Sky original dramas and comedies for the German arm.

He will also retain his current responsibilities for producing scripted Sky originals for Sky Italia.

Hartmann replaces Marcus Ammon, who left Sky Deutschland earlier this year to join German prodco Bavaria Fiction as MD of content.

Gomorrah

Following the rejig and Hartmann’s expanded remit, Sky Italia’s Sonia Rovai will take on day-to-day leadership of the company’s scripted teams in the country.

Hartmann will continue to report into Sky Studios CCO Jane Millichip, and will work with Sky Deutschland’s EVP of programming, Elke Walthelm and Italian counterpart Antonella d’Errico.

Walthelm and d’Errico retain overall responsibility for Sky’s content offering in Germany and Italy respectively.

German & Italian ‘boost’

The Comcast-owned company said that bringing its studios teams in Germany and Italy under Hartmann’s purview would “further boost Sky’s ability to create must-see original content”.

Hartmann has been with Sky Italia since 2003 and has been behind shows including Romanzo Criminale, Devils and Gomorrah.

His appointment comes as Sky Deutschland prepares to launch more than 60 German and international originals to its viewers in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. These include Autobahn, Tender Hearts and Chameleon, and returning series Das Boot, Der Pass and Babylon Berlin.

In a note to staff seen by TBI, Millichip said: “Nils’ ability to spot, nurture and develop ideas, and his strong and deep relationships with talent are second to none.

“Now, I am excited to see him support Sky Deutschland through their next phase of growth by harnessing the creative talent of our teams to bring customers in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland even more content worth paying for.”