Broadcaster to have first refusal on his ideas

Sky has signed a first-look script deal with Romesh Ranganathan.

The broadcaster's programme-making arm Sky Studios will have first refusal on ideas pitched by Ranga Bee, the production company the comedian set up with  producer and director Benjamin Green,

Ranga Bee already made the  semi-autobiographical sitcom The Reluctant Landlord and Romesh Presents, a series of 10 shorts for new and emerging comedy talent, for Sky One, as well as Asian Provocateur for BBC Three.

Ranganathan is also a regular panellist on Sky One’s A League of Their Own, winner of the 2019 BAFTA for Comedy Entertainment Programme.

Ranganathan and Green said in a statement: 'We set up Ranga Bee to make great comedy shows with both new and established talent and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Sky Studios to help further that ambition. We look forward to making innovative and genuinely funny comedy and comedy dramas together. This is also a great opportunity for Romesh to pretend to support other talent.'

Gary Davey, chief executive of Sky Studios, said: 'Romesh has been entertaining Sky customers for years with his unique style of humour and I couldn’t be more excited about this new deal with Romesh, Ben and the whole Ranga Bee team. The Reluctant Landlord is a brilliant show and I look forward to seeing what new scripted comedies we can produce together."

Shows developed by the two companies will be executive produced by Jon Mountague, director of comedy at Sky Studios, and distributed internationally by NBCUniversal Global Distribution.

Published: 3 Feb 2020