TV

Posted: Thurs., May 21, 2009, 10:56am PT

BSkyB brings 'The Pacific' to U.K.

Spielberg serial to play on Sky Movies

LONDON — U.K. paybox BSkyB has bought the follow-up to Steven Spielberg's "Band of Brothers," "The Pacific."

The 10-part HBO serial, also produced by Spielberg and Tom Hanks, will bow on Sky Movies next spring.

"The Pacific" tracks three U.S. Marines — Robert Leckie, Eugene Sledge and John Basilone — in the conflict with Japan during World War II.

The show, shot in HD, is estimated to have cost $200 million and will bring Hollywood blockbuster-style production values to the smallscreen.

BSkyB's managing director of entertainment Sophie Turner Laing said: "At a time when some broadcasters are reducing their on-screen spend, we continue to invest in content."

"The Pacific" is made by HBO Films in association with Hanks' Playtone and DreamWorks Television.

In Blighty, "Band of Brothers" aired on the BBC.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that Sky One, the satcaster's flagship entertainment channel, has axed the revived "Gladiators," made for British auds by shingle Shine.




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