Sky’s TV director denies plans for new soap

Sky’s TV director Stuart Murphy has denied plans for the broadcaster to launch a new soap opera.

Entertainment reporter Dan Wooton claimed in the Daily Mail today that Sky bosses were planning to launch a soap that would act as a rival to ITV’s Coronation Street and Emmerdale and BBC One’s EastEnders.

Wooton claimed that Murphy had already discussed plans with producers and that the new soap would air on Sky1 or Sky Living.

However, Murphy took to Twitter to deny the claims, writing: “In Daily Mail says I have spoken to people about Sky launching a soap. Not true Dan. I have no plans and spoken to no one.”

Recent attempts to launch soap operas have failed with ITV cancelling a revival of its motel based saga Crossroads in 2003 after a failed revamp, as well as short-lived series Night and Day. Channel 5 launched Family Affairs in 1997 but cancelled the series in 2005 amid dwindling ratings.