Sky will develop a major new TV and film studio in Elstree, it has been announced.
The 32-acre Sky Studios Elstree in north London will be close to the famous Elstree Studios, and will house 14 stages and cutting edge technology.
Expected to open in 2022, subject to planning permission, it will lead to the creation of more than 2,000 new jobs and generate an additional £3 billion of investment in production over the first five years of operation, Sky has said.
The studio, built with the backing of Sky’s new owner Comcast and in partnership with sister company NBCUniversal, will be able to facilitate the production of several films and TV shows simultaneously.
📣BREAKING NEWS📣: Sky to develop major new studio at Elstree, expected to open in 2022.
The new space will:👩💻Create 2000 new jobs💰 Kickstart £3bn of investment in UK's creative economy🎥Give us 14 sound studios over 32 acres
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/c1Zz1W7vhd pic.twitter.com/id4ooFmx4D
— Sky Corporate (@SkyCorporate) December 3, 2019
Each of the 14 sound stages will cover more than 20,000 square feet and the site will include production offices, a set construction workshop, a screening cinema and state-of-the-art post-production and digital facilities, giving Sky Studios the capacity to produce more original content in-house.
The new studio will work in close collaboration with Elstree Studios, which is known as the birthplace of Star Wars and has been home to shows such as Strictly Come Dancing, The Voice and Big Brother, and films such as Paddington and Labyrinth.
Throwing it back to the days our favourite bear was here at Elstree. Released 5 years ago today!Elstree housed the interior scenes of the Brown family home, which took a battering from all the mayhem including flooding and fires that ensue during Paddington’s stay! pic.twitter.com/C4689xljRe
— Elstree Studios (@ElstreeStudios) November 28, 2019
The new facility will host major film productions from Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Working Title, and television series from NBCUniversal Content Studios, as well as productions from third party producers.
A formal planning application is expected to be submitted early next year.
Jeremy Darroch, group chief executive at Sky, said: “Sky Studios Elstree will play a pivotal role in bringing the wealth of UK and European talent and creativity to the world.
“We know our customers love our award-winning Sky Originals like Chernobyl and our investment in Sky Studios Elstree will enable us to bring more unique stories to more viewers.
“We are proud to be working with our colleagues at NBCUniversal and Comcast, and our partners Hertsmere Borough Council and L&G to bring this project to life.
“Together we share a joint vision to create a world-leading production capability that will support the creation of thousands of jobs in the creative sector. We can’t wait to get started.”
Roger Morris, managing director of Elstree Studios, added: “Sky Studios Elstree will be of immense importance to the UK film and television industry – it will not only boost the local economy of Hertsmere and Hertfordshire, but will also have a major impact on the UK’s creative sector as a whole.
“We are extremely proud that Sky Studios Elstree has chosen to locate near us and we look forward to working closely with them.”