Sky Atlantic picks up 'Funny Or Die'

Published Jan 5 2011, 15:50 GMT  |  By Catriona Wightman

Sky Atlantic has announced that it will air the comedy show Funny Or Die.

The series is based on the popular website of the same name, which was founded by Will Ferrell and Anchorman director Adam McKay.

Funny Or Die is expected to air on Sky Atlantic in May.

The new channel has signed a deal for exclusive rights to new HBO content, including Dustin Hoffman's upcoming drama Luck, which will air later this year.

Sky Atlantic will also broadcast programmes including Mad Men, police show Blue Bloods, Showtime's period drama The Borgias and a new series from Shameless creator Paul Abbott.

Sky's director of programmes Stuart Murphy explained that he wants Sky Atlantic to win the ratings battle on Saturday nights at 9pm, when the channel airs HBO films, and on Tuesday nights at 10pm, which will be the timeslot for big dramas.

Sky Atlantic and Sky Atlantic HD will launch on February 1.