Digital TV News

Alan Partridge show gets Sky Atlantic TV debut

Friday 11 November, 2011

By Anthony Hill

Steve Coogan is reportedly bringing his internet series to Sky.

British comedian Steve Coogan is rumoured to be in talks with Sky about the UK television premiere for his latest outing as Alan Partridge.

According to industry magazine Broadcast, the satellite provider’s Sky Atlantic channel is on the verge of winning the rights to Mid Morning Matters, previously shown only on the internet.

The comedy series, which follows the fictional presenter as he records his North Norfolk Digital radio show, was originally streamed on the internet in 12 short “webisodes” - but will be edited down to a six-part series for television.

Coogan’s production company, Baby Cow, is also reported to be in talks about the possibility of a second series and Christmas special with Sky.

Traditionally, the BBC has been home to the hapless Alan Partridge character, who first emerged on the Radio 4 show On The Hour in the early 1990s. He has not appeared in a full TV series since the second run of I’m Alan Partridge aired on BBC2 almost a decade ago.

Mid Morning Matters first hit the web in November 2010, as part of a comedy initiative funded by Australian beer brand Foster’s.

Sky launched Sky Atlantic in the UK and Ireland in February this year. Available in both standard and high-definition (HD), it features mainly US drama series, with much of its content provided by American cable network HBO.

The channel’s most-watched shows include Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire and Game of Thrones.