US strike impacts Sky One slate

The ongoing strike by American writers has resulted in Sky One diverting cash that had been earmarked for US acquisitions into British productions, it has emerged.

Broadcast has reported that Richard Woolfe, the channel's controller, has fast-tracked certain projects - including RDF's re-versioned Don't Forget The Lyrics - to plug holes that could start appearing in the schedule due to the protracted nature of the American work stoppage.

A key Sky One acquisition, Prison Break has only five first-run episodes left. At present the channel is expected to bring the show back with new episodes on January 21 after taking it off air in November in tandem with Fox, which airs the show in America.

The channel has also been forced to drop coverage of this year's Golden Globes after the ceremony was cancelled after star attendees said they would not cross WGA picket lines outside the event's location at the Beverly Hilton. Instead, Sky News will simulcast a news conference at which the list of winners will be confirmed.