Jason Simms has been appointed new director of drama and comedy at Sky Vision, the production and distribution arm of Sky. He will take up the role on March 20 and will report to managing director of Sky Vision, Jane Millichip. 

 

Simms joins from Fox Network Group Europe and Africa (FNG), where he was the senior vice president for Global Acquisitions. Starting at Fox in 2004, he was part of the team responsible for developing FNG’s global series strategy, which has seen series such as The Walking Dead, Da Vinci’s Demons, Wayward Pines and Legion premiering over the groups’ entertainment channel portfolio in more than 180 countries. He also bought international hits such as Breaking Bad and Dexter first to FNG, and worked on more than 25 international channel launches around the world during his tenure.

 

Sky Vision is a significant investor in Sky Original Productions, and manages the international roll-out of a number of Sky's largest scripted franchises including; Fortitude, Britannia, and Riviera. For the past two years Sky Vision has won the Broadcast Award for International Programme Sales of Sky Atlantic dramas; Fortitude (from Fifty Fathoms) in 2016, and The Last Panthers (from Warp Films and Haut et Court) in 2017. 

 

Sky Vision recently also moved into third party drama co-productions, and has launched the Netflix/Shaw time travel series Travelers from Peacock Alley, and the New Metric Media and FX mob drama, Bad Blood.

 

Jane Millichip, Sky Vision managing director commented: "Jason is one of the most respected and well-regarded drama executives on the international circuit. He has an unnervingly keen eye for a hit, and is renowned as a smart and professional deal-maker. All qualities we rate highly at Sky Vision. We're looking forward to welcoming him aboard."

 

Jason Simms commented: "Since launching in 2012, Sky Vision has built a fantastic track record of bringing big-ticket, unmissable series like Fortitude, Britannia and The Last Panthers to global audiences and networks.  I’m delighted to be joining Jane and her team at such a dynamic point in the company’s development, and am really excited to help them to deliver their next generation of hit shows.”