Sky Acquires Crave's Series Yaga for UK and Ireland

Why It Matters

The acquisition expands Canadian premium drama into key European markets, boosting Crave’s export revenue and reinforcing Sky’s strategy to diversify its content library beyond U.S. offerings.

Key Takeaways

• Sky acquires Yaga for UK and Ireland
• Deal brokered by Sphere Abacus
• Series adapts Baba Yaga myth into thriller
• Eight‑episode cast includes Carrie‑Anne Moss, Noah Reid
• Follows Crave’s HBO Max hit Heated Rivalry

Pulse Analysis

Sky's recent acquisition of Crave's original series Yaga underscores the growing appetite for premium Canadian drama in the European market. By featuring the show in its "Up Next" showcase in London, Sky signals a strategic push to diversify its slate with non‑U.S. content that can attract niche audiences. The deal, facilitated by sales agency Sphere Abacus, adds the United Kingdom and Ireland to the series' distribution map and hints at a broader rollout across additional territories. Such cross‑border partnerships are becoming a cornerstone of revenue for Canadian broadcasters seeking scale beyond domestic viewership.

Yaga reimagines the Slavic folklore of Baba Yaga as a contemporary mystery thriller set in a small coastal town. Created from Kat Sandler’s stage play, the eight‑episode series benefits from her dual role as writer and showrunner, ensuring a cohesive narrative voice. Co‑directors David Frazee and Rachel Talalay bring cinematic flair, while a cast led by Carrie‑Anne Moss, Noah Reid, Clark Backo and Hudson Williams adds recognizable talent that can resonate with both North American and international audiences. Production, which began earlier this year, leverages the expertise of Front Street Pictures and Blink49 Studios, positioning Yaga as a high‑production‑value offering.

The pickup follows Crave’s recent success with Heated Rivalry, a series that secured a global deal with HBO Max, demonstrating the platform’s ability to produce export‑ready content. With Sky’s endorsement, Yaga could serve as a catalyst for further licensing agreements, potentially opening doors to other European broadcasters and streaming services. For Bell Media, expanding its footprint abroad not only diversifies revenue streams but also strengthens its brand as a source of compelling, culturally distinct storytelling. Industry observers will watch closely as additional territory announcements emerge, which could reshape the competitive dynamics of North American content exporters.

Deal Summary

Bell Media’s Crave announced that its drama series Yaga has been acquired by Sky for distribution in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The deal, secured by Sphere Abacus, expands Sky’s ‘Up Next’ slate and follows Crave’s recent success with Heated Rivalry.