Sky One picks up 'Caprica'

'Battlestar Galactica' prequel on fall schedule

By DOMINIC SCHREIBER

LONDON — “Battlestar Galactica” prequel “Caprica” and a new dating series fronted by 60s pop star turned TV host Cilla Black are among the highlights of U.K. entertainment web Sky One’s new fall schedule.

Sky One has secured the exclusive U.K. TV rights to “Caprica” from NBC Universal International Television Distribution. Produced by NBC Universal Cable Studio, the two-hour special stars Eric Stoltz (“The Mask”), Esai Morales (“NYPD Blue,” “Jericho”) and Paula Malcolmson (“ER,” “Deadwood”).

New original production “Loveland,” meanwhile, is the first order for Standing Stone Productions, the new U.K. shingle launched by former FremantleMedia North America CEO Tom Gutteridge last year

Scheduled for broadcast next year, the 10-part series offers a new twist on the dating format by combining real-time animation within a studio-based show. Skein uses technology developed by Antwerp animation house Nazooka, which be available worldwide and licensed in conjunction with the “Loveland” format.

Other new productions unveiled at Tuesday night’s launch include the 60-minute special “Guinness World Records Smashed,” from U.K. independent producer Outline Productions.

U.S. shows also feature heavily in the schedule, including “Futurama,” “American Gladiators,” “24 Exile,” “The Simpsons,” “Prison Break,” “Cold Case” and “Bones.”