updates: In a first report it became known that Sky Germany will withdraw from the financing of Babylon Berlin. However, fans can breathe easy. As DWDL reports, the series should continue without the participation of Sky Germany. ARD co-produced Babylon Berlin and now wants to continue it without the support of the partner. “ARD Degeto, XFilme and Beta Film commission the development of the fifth season of ‘Babylon Berlin’, says the managing director of ARD Degeto Thomas Schreiber. The original article follows.
A moderate earthquake goes through the German series landscape. As reported by DWDL and Variety, Sky Germany will in future no longer produce fictional series. This decision affects, among other things, the celebrated large-scale production Babylon Berlin by Tom Tykwer, which Sky Germany financed together with ARD.
We explain what this step means.
Babylon Berlin on the Abyss: What is behind the decision?
The fourth season of Babylon Berlin ran on Sky in autumn 2022. A 5th season of the internationally popular series about the 1920s in Berlin was planned. But nothing will come of it, at least not with Sky Germany.
Sky Germany began investing in its own productions eight years ago. Successful series such as Babylon Berlin and Der Pass emerged. However, this business is probably no longer profitable. In its message, Sky refers to that growing competition and high cost. With its productions, the broadcaster had to assert itself against major global players such as Netflix, Disney+ and Apple. Expensive action series like Drift – Partners in Crime seem to have fallen short of expectations.
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Now Sky has to say so “making tough decisions about where we allocate our investments to ensure we create value for the business and our customers”. Sky Germany therefore no longer sees any added value in its own original series such as Babylon Berlin.
What other series are affected?
The pass was already ended with the 3rd season. Another series on the same scale as Babylon Berlin is Das Boot. However, its production is still to be completed, according to the DWDL report. The planned Heligoland 513 will also appear. Series like Drift and The Wasp, however, will probably not continue.
Excluded from the measures are non-fictional formats that Sky wants to continue producing. Docu-soaps like Die Ochsenknechts will be continued and – in the case of the acting family – developed into a real series universe with its own spin-off.
More on the subject:
Can Babylon Berlin still go on?
There is at least a glimmer of hope for fans of Babylon Berlin: Sky is not the only broadcaster involved in the production. He shoulders the complex series together with ARD, which could look for a new partner for season 5.
The 4th season of Babylon Berlin will run from October 1, 2023 on the public broadcaster. They can be seen in the media library from September 29th. Should the season build on old successes, is a sequel without Sky quite conceivable. Maybe even with international partners.
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