Sky Studios inks first-look deal with podcast firm Tortoise Media

Barnaby Shingleton

Sky Studios has inked an exclusive multi-year first look deal with UK-based podcast firm Tortoise Media to adapt its titles into scripted and unscripted series and features.

The two companies will develop the properties together, to be turned into Sky Original productions, with Sky Studios getting exclusive access to titles such as weekly investigative podcast, The Slow Newscast, as well as Tortoise’s multi-part series.

Since 2019, Tortoise Media has produced podcast series such as Sweet Bobby and Hoaxed, the company’s latest multi-part series, which explores one of Britain’s most serious conspiracy theories.

Sky Studios’ director of factual, Barnaby Shingleton, said: “Tortoise Media has built an enviable position as one of the UK’s leading podcast creators. Their stellar track record of investigative journalism and captivating storytelling, combined with our commitment to creating premium programming, is the perfect symbiosis. We’re looking forward to seeing these mediums collide, to deliver a bigger and more diverse slate to Sky customers and beyond.”