Two Cities Television
Two Cities Television is a UK-based television production company founded in 2016, operating as a creative label within STV Studios, that develops and produces prestige scripted dramas — including the Blue Lights police series (BBC), Patrick Melrose (Sky/Showtime), and Amadeus (Sky) — for UK and international broadcasters and streamers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersFordingbridge, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Two Cities Television does
Two Cities Television is a UK-based television production company founded in 2016 that develops and produces prestige scripted drama for UK and international broadcasters and streamers. The company operates as a creative label within the STV Studios group, with offices in London, Belfast, and New York, and is co-led by Joint CEOs Michael Jackson (former Controller of BBC One and Two, CEO of Channel 4, Chairman of Universal Television) and Stephen Wright (former Head of Drama at BBC Northern Ireland, where he commissioned Line of Duty and The Fall). Its core slate comprises the returning Belfast police drama Blue Lights (BBC One / BBC iPlayer, commissioned through Series 4), the BAFTA and Emmy-recognised limited series Patrick Melrose (Sky Atlantic / Showtime, starring Benedict Cumberbatch), the Sky Original limited series Amadeus (Sky Atlantic), the upcoming Channel 4 co-production Army of Shadows (with STUDIOCANAL and CANAL+), and the proof-of-concept short film So You're Going to Die.
The underlying production model is project-based drama development, partnering with A-list writers (David Nicholls, Joe Barton, Ronan Bennett) and on-screen talent to package original or adapted IP for greenlight by commissioners. Two Cities generates revenue through negotiated broadcast commissioning fees from UK networks (BBC, Channel 4, Sky), co-production arrangements that share cost and expand international reach (STUDIOCANAL, CANAL+, Showtime, Sky Studios, Gallagher Films, Northern Ireland Screen), and international distribution handled by major third-party sales agents — BBC Studios (Blue Lights global, 160+ territories), NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution (Amadeus), and STUDIOCANAL (Army of Shadows). The GTM motion is essentially sales-led and relationship-led: pitches to UK commissioning editors, co-production deal-making at international markets (London TV Screenings), and validation through industry awards (BAFTA, RTS, Primetime Emmy). Operational practices include Albert Carbon Neutral sustainable production certification, signalling compliance with UK broadcaster ESG mandates.
Two Cities Television firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Two Cities Television
- Legal name
- Two Cities Limited
- Website
- https://twocitiestv.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Two Cities Television is a UK-based television production company founded in 2016, operating as a creative label within STV Studios, that develops and produces prestige scripted dramas — including the Blue Lights police series (BBC), Patrick Melrose (Sky/Showtime), and Amadeus (Sky) — for UK and international broadcasters and streamers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Two Cities Television industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Television Production
- NAICS
- Television Broadcasting Stations (51612), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Unscripted/Reality TV Production (Live-Action) (MPADABAC)
Keywords
Where Two Cities Television is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fordingbridge
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Two Cities Television business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Broadcast Commissioning: Two Cities Television generates revenue through commissioned drama series from UK broadcasters such as BBC, Channel 4, and Sky. These commissions provide production funding in exchange for broadcast rights.
- Co-production and International Distribution: The company enters co-production arrangements with partners like STUDIOCANAL and CANAL+ to share production costs and leverage international distribution networks. International sales are handled by partners such as BBC Studios, NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, and STUDIOCANAL.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels2 records
Two Cities Television product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Two Cities Television develops and produces scripted prestige drama series — including returning series, limited series, and event dramas — for UK and international broadcast and streaming platforms. The company commissions writers, secures co-production financing, and delivers finished drama content to broadcasters and streaming partners such as BBC, Channel 4, Sky, Showtime, and CANAL+, with international distribution handled through partners including BBC Studios, NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, and STUDIOCANAL.
Product overview
Two Cities Television is a television production company producing prestige dramas, returning series, and limited event dramas. The company's portfolio includes Blue Lights (a multi-series BBC police drama set in Belfast), Patrick Melrose (an award-winning limited series for Sky/Showtime), Amadeus (a Sky Original limited series), Army of Shadows (a Channel 4 drama), and So You're Going to Die (a proof of concept film). The company operates as part of the STV Studios group of production labels.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Blue Lights A critically acclaimed Belfast-based police drama series following PSNI response officers navigating complex policing challenges in Northern Ireland. Produced for BBC One and BBC iPlayer across multiple series; BAFTA- and RTS-award winning.
- Patrick Melrose A four-time BAFTA award-winning and five-time Primetime Emmy-nominated limited drama series for Sky Atlantic and Showtime, starring Benedict Cumberbatch, adapted from Edward St. Aubyn's autobiographical novels.
- Amadeus A Sky Original limited series reimagining Peter Shaffer's award-winning stage play about the rivalry between Mozart and Salieri, written by Joe Barton and starring Will Sharpe as Mozart.
- Army of Shadows A six-part drama series commissioned by Channel 4 and CANAL+, written by Ronan Bennett and co-produced with STUDIOCANAL: a contemporary reimagining of the French Resistance story set in near-future authoritarian Britain.
- So You're Going to Die A short proof of concept film written by Michael Patrick and Oisín Kearney, starring James Nesbitt, supported by NI Screen and inspired by Michael Patrick's diagnosis with motor neurone disease, serving as proof of concept for a returnable series in development.
Companies that use Two Cities Television
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Two Cities Television technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Two Cities Television partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- STUDIOCANALcoreSTUDIOCANAL is co-producing Army of Shadows with Two Cities Television. The series is developed from inception by STUDIOCANAL and represents the inaugural series of STUDIOCANAL's internal TV producing arm. STUDIOCANAL handles international sales and worldwide distribution.
- Channel 4coreChannel 4 commissioned the six-part drama series Army of Shadows, co-produced with STUDIOCANAL and Two Cities Television. Channel 4 handles UK broadcast rights.
- CANAL+coreCANAL+ commissioned Army of Shadows for their global footprint in over 50 countries across France, Europe, Africa and Asia.
- Sky StudioscoreSky Studios is co-producing Amadeus with Two Cities Television. Sky handles UK broadcast rights through Sky Atlantic.
- NBCUniversal Global TV DistributioncoreNBCUniversal Global TV Distribution handles international sales for Amadeus.
- BBC StudioscoreBBC Studios handles global sales for Blue Lights series one through four, in addition to all previous series.
- Gallagher FilmscoreGallagher Films co-produces Blue Lights with Two Cities Television for BBC. Louise Gallagher co-creates and co-produces the series.
- Northern Ireland ScreensupportingBlue Lights was produced with funding and support from Northern Ireland Screen.
- STV StudioscoreTwo Cities Television is part of the STV Studios group of production labels. The company operates as a creative label within STV Studios.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Two Cities Television competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Kudos (a Banijay company): Producer of Broadchurch, Grantchester, and The Day of the Jackal. Closely comparable UK scripted drama indie, now part of the Banijay group, with a similar BBC/Sky/streamer customer base.
- Sister Pictures: Producer of Chernobyl, The Power, and This Is Going to Hurt. A peer premium-drama indie built around a high-profile creative leadership team, supplying HBO/Sky/Channel 4-style buyers.
- World Productions: UK prestige drama producer behind Line of Duty, Bodyguard, and The Capture. Highly comparable as a similarly sized indie focused on returnable, internationally-sold scripted drama for UK broadcasters and global streamers.
- Hat Trick Productions: Producer of Father Ted, Outnumbered, and Drop the Dead Donkey. Direct UK scripted peer with a similarly long-running relationship with BBC, Channel 4, and ITV commissioners.
- Carnival Films: Producer of Downton Abbey, The Witcher, and Poirot. Long-standing UK scripted drama supplier with a similar returnable plus limited-series mix, though at greater scale.
- Bad Wolf: Wales-based producer of His Dark Materials, Doctor Who, and Industry. Direct peer in UK prestige and returnable drama with comparable relationships to BBC, HBO, and Sky.
- Neal Street Productions: Producer of Call My Agent!, Industry, and SAS: Rogue Heroes. Comparable mid-sized UK prestige drama outfit with overlapping commissioners and a similar returnable/limited-series mix.
- Left Bank Pictures: Producer of The Crown, The Serpent, and Anatomy of a Scandal. Direct competitor in the UK prestige limited series space, supplying the same BBC, Sky and streamer commissioners with the same kind of high-end scripted drama.
Broad incumbents
- All3Media: Large UK-headed production group housing many scripted labels (Company Pictures, Lime Pictures, Neal Street) that compete with Two Cities for the same drama commissions, but with a much wider portfolio and parent (Liberty Global/Discovery).
- STV Studios: Two Cities' parent group, housing a wider slate of UK production labels including factual and entertainment formats. Relevant as the operating umbrella under which Two Cities' commissioning, distribution, and financial backing flow.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Two Cities Television social profiles
Digital presenceTwo Cities Television compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Two Cities Television financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Two Cities Television leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Two Cities Television funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Two Cities Television M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Two Cities Television
What does Two Cities Television do?
Two Cities Television develops and produces scripted prestige drama series — including returning series, limited series, and event dramas — for UK and international broadcast and streaming platforms. The company commissions writers, secures co-production financing, and delivers finished drama content to broadcasters and streaming partners such as BBC, Channel 4, Sky, Showtime, and CANAL+, with international distribution handled through partners including BBC Studios, NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, and STUDIOCANAL.
Is Two Cities Television a public or private company?
Two Cities Television is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Two Cities Television founded?
Two Cities Television was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Two Cities Television based?
Two Cities Television is headquartered in Fordingbridge, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Two Cities Television make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Broadcast Commissioning is the primary driver. The others are co-production and International Distribution.
Who are Two Cities Television's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Kudos (a Banijay company), Sister Pictures, World Productions, Hat Trick Productions, Carnival Films, Bad Wolf, Neal Street Productions and Left Bank Pictures. Broad incumbents are All3Media and STV Studios.
Does Two Cities Television have an API?
No public API is recorded for Two Cities Television.
What industry is Two Cities Television in?
Two Cities Television's product category is Television Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADABAC, Unscripted/Reality TV Production (Live-Action). Its NAICS code is 51612 and its SIC code is 7812.