Beep & Mort acquired by Sky UK for new channel

Sydney, Australia: ABC Commercial has sold magical children’s TV program Beep & Mort to Sky UK for its brand new linear channel Sky Kids.

Produced by Windmill Pictures, Beep & Mort is one of the first programs to air on the recently launched Sky Kids ad-free linear channel aimed at preschoolers. The show will also be available to watch on demand for Sky Kids customers.

Set to charm young audiences across the UK, the puppet-based series follows the adventures of best friends Beep, a robot from the stars, and Mort, a cuddly creature from Mollyvale.

Beep & Mort launched on ABC TV in October 2022 and has won over local fans with its heart-warming portrait of empathy, embracing difference, and the enduring nature of friendship.

The series is directed by Rosemary Myers (Girl Asleep, Bluey’s Big Play), produced by Kaye Weeks (Beep), features production design by the AACTA award-winning Jonathon Oxlade (Girl Asleep, Bluey’s Big Play) and original music by Harry Covill (Girl Asleep).

Rosemary Myers, Director Beep & Mort said: “It’s so exciting to be part of the line up on a brand-new channel for kids launching on the other side of the globe. Beep & Mort is lovingly made by a team of super talented people who are thrilled to share the furry fun of Mollyvale and the ongoing adventures of its adorable characters. Universal themes of friendship and community are at the centre of the show and we hope kids and families across the UK will take joy in the humour and heart of this puppet- based, three dimensional world we’ve created.”

Karen Quinn, Manager Content Sales, ABC Commercial said: “The ABC is renowned for creating and commissioning high quality, engaging children’s content, and Beep & Mort fits firmly in that category. Sky Kids’ acquisition of Beep & Mort will fit seamlessly into their launch line-up and beyond. We’re thrilled that UK audiences can now enjoy this beautiful Australian production.”

The sale of Beep & Mort continues a strong relationship between Sky and ABC Commercial, with the UK broadcaster also recently acquiring The Australian Ballet’s The Merry Widow and The Art of Australia for Sky Arts.

Beep & Mort is a Windmill Pictures Production with major production funding from Screen Australia. It was developed and produced in association with the ABC and financed and developed in association with the South Australian Film Corporation.

ABC Commercial holds worldwide distribution rights.

ABC Commercial is responsible for taking the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s screen content, services and brands to the Australian and international marketplace. From our full suite of digital services and traditional businesses, ABC Commercial extends the global reach of the ABC’s bold, compelling and entertaining content across territories and platforms. All revenue generated from our activities is reinvested into the production of the ABC’s high-quality content.

About Sky Kids

The Sky Kids package is currently home to over 10,000 episodes of award-winning kids’ content on demand and a variety of linear partner channels such as Nick Jr., Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon.

A new Sky Kids linear channel (EPG 609 Sky) was added to the package from 13 February 2023, available at no extra cost for existing Sky Kids customers, offering a raft of new Sky original content and franchise favourites to inspire and entertain kids (age 1-7). Baby TV, currently in slot EPG 609, will move to EPG 626.

The scheduled programming has been built around blocks of the busy day to help parents juggle their children’s routines.

All Sky Kids content is available to watch in safe, child-friendly environments. Through the Sky Kids app which offers content on demand, available to all Sky customers with the Sky Kids package, parents can create personalised age profiles for their children, alongside a ‘sleep mode’ to moderate screen time, while they watch content on the go.