BBC boss Tim Davie has issued a dire warning over the future of public service broadcasting globally. “It’s scary. It’s really problematic,” he said. “I mean not ‘marginally troublesome.’ I would say it’s a red alert situation in many many markets.”
Davie warned the situation was only getting worse as politics becomes “more polarized.”
Davie was speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Analysis Media & Telecoms 2024 and Beyond Conference in London on Tuesday morning alongside Channel 4 boss Alex Mahon, managing director of ITV Studios Julian Bellamy and Sarah Rose, president of Channel 5 and regional lead for Paramount on a panel headed “U.K. television’s digital age.” The panel was moderated by Deloitte partner Rupert Darbyshire.
Mahon also spoke of public service broadcasters’ (PSBs) “battle for truth and trust” which she said is something “very different to something aggregated and algorithmically served.” PSBs were particularly important for young people,...
Davie warned the situation was only getting worse as politics becomes “more polarized.”
Davie was speaking at the Deloitte and Enders Analysis Media & Telecoms 2024 and Beyond Conference in London on Tuesday morning alongside Channel 4 boss Alex Mahon, managing director of ITV Studios Julian Bellamy and Sarah Rose, president of Channel 5 and regional lead for Paramount on a panel headed “U.K. television’s digital age.” The panel was moderated by Deloitte partner Rupert Darbyshire.
Mahon also spoke of public service broadcasters’ (PSBs) “battle for truth and trust” which she said is something “very different to something aggregated and algorithmically served.” PSBs were particularly important for young people,...
- 6/4/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
“I don’t want to be a market failure,” which is “what’s happening around the world” to public service broadcasters, BBC boss Tim Davie told Deloitte’s Media & Telecoms 2024 and Beyond Conference in London on Tuesday. “It’s scary,” he said, speaking of a “red alert situation” in many parts of the world.
Davie in an appearance lauded the U.K. production sector for its success, but also noted that “many decisions we make are uneconomic.” That said, while the goal is to continue making and airing hit shows that audiences enjoy and love, “we don’t have to make the numbers work on every single show” as a public broadcaster to ensure important, educative and other shows make it to the screen, he emphasized.
“We have a rich history of working together” with other companies, Davie said about the BBC, as well as other U.K. public broadcasters.
Davie in an appearance lauded the U.K. production sector for its success, but also noted that “many decisions we make are uneconomic.” That said, while the goal is to continue making and airing hit shows that audiences enjoy and love, “we don’t have to make the numbers work on every single show” as a public broadcaster to ensure important, educative and other shows make it to the screen, he emphasized.
“We have a rich history of working together” with other companies, Davie said about the BBC, as well as other U.K. public broadcasters.
- 6/4/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Public service broadcasting is in a “red alert situation” in “many many markets” around the world, according to the most powerful man in British broadcasting.
BBC Director General Tim Davie urged the audience at the Deloitte and Enders Media & Telecoms 2024 and Beyond Conference to “look around the world and see what’s happening to PSBs.”
“It’s scary,” he added. “It’s really problematic. We are not merely troublesome we are in a red alert situation in many many markets and as politics gets more polarized we have to decide what we do about institutions.”
Davie said the BBC, on the other hand, is “not a market failure provider” and stressed partnerships with major global players such as Warner Bros. Discovery in sports as a factor.
But this doesn’t stop the BBC from making “uneconomic” decisions, he stressed, in order to preserve its place as a public broadcaster.
“Sometimes...
BBC Director General Tim Davie urged the audience at the Deloitte and Enders Media & Telecoms 2024 and Beyond Conference to “look around the world and see what’s happening to PSBs.”
“It’s scary,” he added. “It’s really problematic. We are not merely troublesome we are in a red alert situation in many many markets and as politics gets more polarized we have to decide what we do about institutions.”
Davie said the BBC, on the other hand, is “not a market failure provider” and stressed partnerships with major global players such as Warner Bros. Discovery in sports as a factor.
But this doesn’t stop the BBC from making “uneconomic” decisions, he stressed, in order to preserve its place as a public broadcaster.
“Sometimes...
- 6/4/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
“Most British producers will find themselves very welcome in America.”
That is the verdict of Grant Mansfield, the head of A Real Bug’s Life and Tiny World producer Plimsoll, who, along with ITV Studios boss Julian Bellamy, attempted to paint a glass-half-full portrait of the state of the UK production industry amid doom and gloom proclamations at the Creative Cities Convention.
Mansfield said he “understands the negative mood music” but posited that “the transformational thing [for UK producers] is international,” as he revealed that 90% of Plimsoll’s commissions come from outside the UK.
“The whole business of what your market is has become more porous and most British producers wil find themselves very welcome in America,” said Mansfield. “They are incredibly respectful and knowledgeable of the UK market.”
Mansfield, who was CEO of Zodiak USA before launching Plimsoll, joked that producers should be aware of American buyers’ “there is no such thing...
That is the verdict of Grant Mansfield, the head of A Real Bug’s Life and Tiny World producer Plimsoll, who, along with ITV Studios boss Julian Bellamy, attempted to paint a glass-half-full portrait of the state of the UK production industry amid doom and gloom proclamations at the Creative Cities Convention.
Mansfield said he “understands the negative mood music” but posited that “the transformational thing [for UK producers] is international,” as he revealed that 90% of Plimsoll’s commissions come from outside the UK.
“The whole business of what your market is has become more porous and most British producers wil find themselves very welcome in America,” said Mansfield. “They are incredibly respectful and knowledgeable of the UK market.”
Mansfield, who was CEO of Zodiak USA before launching Plimsoll, joked that producers should be aware of American buyers’ “there is no such thing...
- 4/24/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Despite its “particularly British” nature, Mr Bates vs the Post Office has now sold to a dozen territories around the world, ITV bosses revealed this morning.
The show, which is the network’s biggest hit since Downton Abbey, has sold to PBS Masterpiece in the U.S., four BritBox Nordics territories, Benelux pubcaster Npo for Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, Australia’s Seven, New Zealand’s Tvnz, Pccw in Hong Kong and Virgin Media Ireland.
Deadline understands one more sale will be announced imminently.
ITV Studis/Little Gem’s Mr Bates only launched in January and the deals are being celebrated by ITV and its distribution arm given its highly localized nature, CEO Carolyn McCall said today. During its first week of release, Head of Drama Polly Hill told Deadline shows like Mr Bates are becoming “increasingly” hard to fund in the current climate.
McCall said today: “British dramas like...
The show, which is the network’s biggest hit since Downton Abbey, has sold to PBS Masterpiece in the U.S., four BritBox Nordics territories, Benelux pubcaster Npo for Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, Australia’s Seven, New Zealand’s Tvnz, Pccw in Hong Kong and Virgin Media Ireland.
Deadline understands one more sale will be announced imminently.
ITV Studis/Little Gem’s Mr Bates only launched in January and the deals are being celebrated by ITV and its distribution arm given its highly localized nature, CEO Carolyn McCall said today. During its first week of release, Head of Drama Polly Hill told Deadline shows like Mr Bates are becoming “increasingly” hard to fund in the current climate.
McCall said today: “British dramas like...
- 3/7/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV boss Carolyn McCall has detailed the potential for a post-strike “blip” as commissioning conversations are restarted with U.S. buyers, while the head of ITV Studios described generative AI as a “co-pilot for creatives.”
Speaking after the publication of ITV’s full-year results, which saw profits tumble by 32% amidst a tricky ad market, McCall said a factor “never really talked about” in relation to last year’s months-long U.S. labor strikes is that “commissioning conversations could not happen and we were not allowed to pitch ideas or discuss anything that would build a pipeline.”
“This is never really talked about but is also quite an important factor in the market,” she said, adding that the more obvious impact of the strike physically delaying productions had been prominent in discussions.
Pressed on whether this could lead to a surge in commissioning from U.S. buyers, McCall said “we are...
Speaking after the publication of ITV’s full-year results, which saw profits tumble by 32% amidst a tricky ad market, McCall said a factor “never really talked about” in relation to last year’s months-long U.S. labor strikes is that “commissioning conversations could not happen and we were not allowed to pitch ideas or discuss anything that would build a pipeline.”
“This is never really talked about but is also quite an important factor in the market,” she said, adding that the more obvious impact of the strike physically delaying productions had been prominent in discussions.
Pressed on whether this could lead to a surge in commissioning from U.S. buyers, McCall said “we are...
- 3/7/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Julian Bellamy, managing director of ITV Studios, has joined the board of governors of the National Film and Television School in Buckinghamshire, England.
ITV Studios is the production arm of U.K. media conglomerate ITV and with over 60 production labels is the largest producer in the U.K. It has production bases across the globe, including the U.S. It is known for dramas including “Mr. Bates Vs The Post Office,” “Gomorrah” and “Vigil” as well as reality shows such as “Love Island” and “The Voice.”
Before joining ITV Studios, Bellamy held roles at Discovery Networks International, where he was creative director and head of commissioning, Channel 4 and the BBC. He entered the industry as a current affairs producer/director.
“We are thrilled to welcome Julian Bellamy to the Nfts Board of Governors,” said Sophie Turner Laing, chair of the National Film and Television School. “His extensive experience and...
ITV Studios is the production arm of U.K. media conglomerate ITV and with over 60 production labels is the largest producer in the U.K. It has production bases across the globe, including the U.S. It is known for dramas including “Mr. Bates Vs The Post Office,” “Gomorrah” and “Vigil” as well as reality shows such as “Love Island” and “The Voice.”
Before joining ITV Studios, Bellamy held roles at Discovery Networks International, where he was creative director and head of commissioning, Channel 4 and the BBC. He entered the industry as a current affairs producer/director.
“We are thrilled to welcome Julian Bellamy to the Nfts Board of Governors,” said Sophie Turner Laing, chair of the National Film and Television School. “His extensive experience and...
- 3/4/2024
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Banijay is in the driving seat to buy All3Media, Deadline understands.
Sources have indicated that the Big Brother and Survivor behemoth is now leading the pack and, according to Reuters, Banijay has submitted a binding offer.
All3Media’s owners Warner Bros. Discovery (Wbd) and Liberty Global received offers last week for the Squid Game: The Challenge and Traitors producer-distributor, which is valued at around £1B ($1.3B). Others aside from Banijay are said to remain in the process.
The All3 sale has been one of the key talking points at this week’s Content London, and two sources have indicated to Deadline that Banijay is well placed. Sellers are expected to award exclusivity to one bidder as soon as the end of this week, a source told Reuters.
Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti was asked about the deal during his Content London session but he batted away the question. While there...
Sources have indicated that the Big Brother and Survivor behemoth is now leading the pack and, according to Reuters, Banijay has submitted a binding offer.
All3Media’s owners Warner Bros. Discovery (Wbd) and Liberty Global received offers last week for the Squid Game: The Challenge and Traitors producer-distributor, which is valued at around £1B ($1.3B). Others aside from Banijay are said to remain in the process.
The All3 sale has been one of the key talking points at this week’s Content London, and two sources have indicated to Deadline that Banijay is well placed. Sellers are expected to award exclusivity to one bidder as soon as the end of this week, a source told Reuters.
Banijay CEO Marco Bassetti was asked about the deal during his Content London session but he batted away the question. While there...
- 11/30/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Marco Chimenz, Co-CEO of Italy’s Cattleya the prominent ITV-owned outfit behind “Gomorrah” and “ZeroZeroZero,” will be leaving the company in January to join pan-European powerhouse Federation Studios.
At Federation Chimenz will serve as group co-managing director of the expanding production and distribution studio that currently comprises 35 production companies, working closely with founder and CEO Pascal Breton and Federation co-director Lionel Uzan.
Founded in 2013, Federation is a production, financing and distribution studio with subsidiaries and associate production companies based in Paris, Los Angeles, Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Cologne, London, Brussels and Tel Aviv. The group’s best-known titles include “The Bureau,” “In Treatment,” “Baby,” “Hostages,” “Marseille,” “Bad Banks,” “Your Honor,” and “Around the World in 80 Days.”
Chimenz will continue to work with Cattleya’s Spanish affiliate on several productions until 2025. He will also continue to operate with longtime collaborator Joshua Berman, who is currently head of business affairs at Cattleya.
At Federation Chimenz will serve as group co-managing director of the expanding production and distribution studio that currently comprises 35 production companies, working closely with founder and CEO Pascal Breton and Federation co-director Lionel Uzan.
Founded in 2013, Federation is a production, financing and distribution studio with subsidiaries and associate production companies based in Paris, Los Angeles, Rome, Madrid, Berlin, Cologne, London, Brussels and Tel Aviv. The group’s best-known titles include “The Bureau,” “In Treatment,” “Baby,” “Hostages,” “Marseille,” “Bad Banks,” “Your Honor,” and “Around the World in 80 Days.”
Chimenz will continue to work with Cattleya’s Spanish affiliate on several productions until 2025. He will also continue to operate with longtime collaborator Joshua Berman, who is currently head of business affairs at Cattleya.
- 10/4/2023
- by Nick Vivarelli and Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
U.K. commercial broadcaster ITV is ready to step into the breach in case of U.S. programming schedules being impacted down the line because of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.
“We are hoping for a swift resolution [to the strikes]” said Julian Bellamy, MD of ITV’s production arm ITV Studios. “In terms of the broader point, one of our strengths is a strong U.K. and international pipeline and we do have a distribution arm that offers a catalogue of 90,000 hours. So we’re in a good position to take advantage of any opportunities that arise.”
“Or to just to help,” added ITV CEO Carolyn McCall. “What we’ll be doing is to see whether we can help fill their schedules. We’re not gonna be charging premiums, by the way, we think we should be offering our customers what they [want] from our catalogue if they require it.”
McCall and...
“We are hoping for a swift resolution [to the strikes]” said Julian Bellamy, MD of ITV’s production arm ITV Studios. “In terms of the broader point, one of our strengths is a strong U.K. and international pipeline and we do have a distribution arm that offers a catalogue of 90,000 hours. So we’re in a good position to take advantage of any opportunities that arise.”
“Or to just to help,” added ITV CEO Carolyn McCall. “What we’ll be doing is to see whether we can help fill their schedules. We’re not gonna be charging premiums, by the way, we think we should be offering our customers what they [want] from our catalogue if they require it.”
McCall and...
- 7/27/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
ITV bosses have provided color on how the U.S. labor strikes are impacting the UK broadcaster and why they walked away from a £1B ($1.3B) deal to acquire The Traitors production group All3Media.
On a call with journalists this morning, ITV Studios Managing Director Julian Bellamy said the writers and actors strikes would not have “a material impact” on his production and sales division’s 2023 financials, stressing the division produces across genres in multiple territories.
“Saying that, if the strike goes into the autumn, it will potentially impact on the start of [ITV Studios] productions” in the U.S., he added. “Obviously, we’re hoping for a swift resolution.”
Bellamy was asked if U.S. networks had approached ITV Studios, which has a catalog of about 90,000 hours, to help fill scheduling gaps created by the strikes. “We’re not seeing that,” he responded. “We work with them all the time on originals,...
On a call with journalists this morning, ITV Studios Managing Director Julian Bellamy said the writers and actors strikes would not have “a material impact” on his production and sales division’s 2023 financials, stressing the division produces across genres in multiple territories.
“Saying that, if the strike goes into the autumn, it will potentially impact on the start of [ITV Studios] productions” in the U.S., he added. “Obviously, we’re hoping for a swift resolution.”
Bellamy was asked if U.S. networks had approached ITV Studios, which has a catalog of about 90,000 hours, to help fill scheduling gaps created by the strikes. “We’re not seeing that,” he responded. “We work with them all the time on originals,...
- 7/27/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
BAFTA-winning producer Patrick Spence is leaving ITV Studios after three years, Variety has confirmed.
Spence, who serves as creative director, will leave at the end of March, ITV Studios managing director Julian Bellamy told staff via an internal memo on Thursday. Spence will continue to partner with ITV Studios on upcoming projects including “People vs. Post Office” (working title).
Spence joined ITV Studios in 2020 and secured several acclaimed commissions, including the BBC’s drama-romance “Ralph & Katie,” a spin-off of “The A Word,” about the lives of a couple with Down syndrome; Itvx’s “Litvinenko,” about the investigation into the death of Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko; the BAFTA-nominated Cold War spy drama “A Spy Among Friends,” also for Itvx; and post-pandemic frontline medical drama “Maternal” for ITV.
The producer spent 15 years in commissioning and production at the BBC. He served as head of drama for Northern Ireland from 2003 to 2010. In...
Spence, who serves as creative director, will leave at the end of March, ITV Studios managing director Julian Bellamy told staff via an internal memo on Thursday. Spence will continue to partner with ITV Studios on upcoming projects including “People vs. Post Office” (working title).
Spence joined ITV Studios in 2020 and secured several acclaimed commissions, including the BBC’s drama-romance “Ralph & Katie,” a spin-off of “The A Word,” about the lives of a couple with Down syndrome; Itvx’s “Litvinenko,” about the investigation into the death of Russian defector Alexander Litvinenko; the BAFTA-nominated Cold War spy drama “A Spy Among Friends,” also for Itvx; and post-pandemic frontline medical drama “Maternal” for ITV.
The producer spent 15 years in commissioning and production at the BBC. He served as head of drama for Northern Ireland from 2003 to 2010. In...
- 3/24/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Patrick Spence, the executive producer behind Itvx/MGM+ series A Spy Among Friends, is leaving ITV Studios after more than three years.
Patrick Spence
Julian Bellamy, Managing Director of ITV Studios, told staff on Thursday that Spence would be stepping down, with his next venture yet to be confirmed.
He joined ITV Studios in early 2020 from Fifty Fathoms, the drama production label that was part of Endemol Shine Group before it was acquired by Banijay.
As well as the Guy Pearce and Damian Lewis espionage series A Spy Among Friends, he made David Tennant drama Litvinenko, which chronicled the poisoning of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.
Spence previously executive produced Sky’s Fortitude and BBC drama The A Word.
Patrick Spence
Julian Bellamy, Managing Director of ITV Studios, told staff on Thursday that Spence would be stepping down, with his next venture yet to be confirmed.
He joined ITV Studios in early 2020 from Fifty Fathoms, the drama production label that was part of Endemol Shine Group before it was acquired by Banijay.
As well as the Guy Pearce and Damian Lewis espionage series A Spy Among Friends, he made David Tennant drama Litvinenko, which chronicled the poisoning of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko.
Spence previously executive produced Sky’s Fortitude and BBC drama The A Word.
- 3/24/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV’s profits slid by more than 12% last year reflecting “planned investment in content and Itvx,” according to the network.
Unveiling its full-year 2022 results in the past few minutes, the Love Island and Nolly commercial broadcaster showed a revenue boost of 7% to £4.3B ($5.2B) but adjusted Ebitda for the group slid by 12% to £723M ($865M). The slide was a reversal of the previous year, when a post-Covid uplift saw profits shoot upwards by an impressive 42%. In 2022, group adjusted Ebitda margin fell from 24% to 19% and pre-tax profit rose from £480M to £501M.
Total advertising revenue virtually flatlined to stay around the £1.9B mark, reflecting difficulties in the market, although digital advertising revenue rose by 17% to £343M in line with ITV’s expectations.
CEO Carolyn McCall said “significant progress” is being made “at pace” despite the “current macro and geopolitical uncertainty,” although she flagged a challenging short term outlook that will see...
Unveiling its full-year 2022 results in the past few minutes, the Love Island and Nolly commercial broadcaster showed a revenue boost of 7% to £4.3B ($5.2B) but adjusted Ebitda for the group slid by 12% to £723M ($865M). The slide was a reversal of the previous year, when a post-Covid uplift saw profits shoot upwards by an impressive 42%. In 2022, group adjusted Ebitda margin fell from 24% to 19% and pre-tax profit rose from £480M to £501M.
Total advertising revenue virtually flatlined to stay around the £1.9B mark, reflecting difficulties in the market, although digital advertising revenue rose by 17% to £343M in line with ITV’s expectations.
CEO Carolyn McCall said “significant progress” is being made “at pace” despite the “current macro and geopolitical uncertainty,” although she flagged a challenging short term outlook that will see...
- 3/2/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
“Call It!,” an app that empowers the U.K. film and TV workforce to call bad behavior out, has entered into a partnership with ITV Studios.
The app enables the workforce to record incidents of bullying, harassment and discrimination quickly and anonymously, without fear of reprisal or repercussion. It also provides easy access to employers’ ‘Dignity at Work’ policies and procedures for formal reporting, and signposting to third party support and resources. It also allows companies and productions to monitor the safety and wellbeing of their staff by asking, ‘How were you treated at work today?’ and gathering anonymous data regarding experiences of bullying and harassment.
After a pilot and proof of concept phase, the app launched to the film and TV market earlier this month. ITV Studios are the first major partner to sign up and will begin introducing the app to its U.K. companies.
ITV Studios’ managing...
The app enables the workforce to record incidents of bullying, harassment and discrimination quickly and anonymously, without fear of reprisal or repercussion. It also provides easy access to employers’ ‘Dignity at Work’ policies and procedures for formal reporting, and signposting to third party support and resources. It also allows companies and productions to monitor the safety and wellbeing of their staff by asking, ‘How were you treated at work today?’ and gathering anonymous data regarding experiences of bullying and harassment.
After a pilot and proof of concept phase, the app launched to the film and TV market earlier this month. ITV Studios are the first major partner to sign up and will begin introducing the app to its U.K. companies.
ITV Studios’ managing...
- 10/20/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Ben Stephenson’s new transatlantic scripted label Poison Pen Studios has tapped Sky Studios exec Preethi Mavahalli as its new creative director.
Before joining Sky, Mavahalli was at indie Mammoth Screen, where she as director of drama she developed and executive produced hits including “The Serpent,” “Noughts + Crosses” and “The War of the Worlds.” She has also worked at Film4 and Film London.
Poison Pen was launched under the ITV Studios banner by Stephenson, formerly Bad Robot’s head of television, in July. The studio is based between London and L.A. and will focus on high-end premium drama. Mavahalli will work across both locations alongside Stephenson.
“When I decided to start my own company there was only one person I wanted by my side,” said Stephenson. “I’m so grateful she agreed! Preethi is an exceptionally talented and lovely person with great taste and a fantastic track record. I cannot wait to get started,...
Before joining Sky, Mavahalli was at indie Mammoth Screen, where she as director of drama she developed and executive produced hits including “The Serpent,” “Noughts + Crosses” and “The War of the Worlds.” She has also worked at Film4 and Film London.
Poison Pen was launched under the ITV Studios banner by Stephenson, formerly Bad Robot’s head of television, in July. The studio is based between London and L.A. and will focus on high-end premium drama. Mavahalli will work across both locations alongside Stephenson.
“When I decided to start my own company there was only one person I wanted by my side,” said Stephenson. “I’m so grateful she agreed! Preethi is an exceptionally talented and lovely person with great taste and a fantastic track record. I cannot wait to get started,...
- 9/22/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
U.K. broadcaster Channel 4 was the big winner at the Edinburgh TV Awards, winning six of the 20 awards on offer, including Channel of the Year.
The awards returned as an in-person event this year as part of the Edinburgh TV Festival, supported by Screen Scotland. Jodie Comer, who won the 2021 Variety Outstanding Achievement Award, won the best TV actor in a drama award for her performance in Jack Thorne’s Channel 4 drama “Help.”
Actor, writer and director Diane Morgan received the 2022 Variety Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of her extensive body of work, which ranges from Ricky Gervais’ “After Life” to “Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe” and includes fan-favorite “Motherland” and and her much loved character Philomena Cunk.
Jury president Sue Vertue handed out the channel of the year award to Channel 4 director of content Ian Katz in what has been a very challenging year for the broadcaster, with the...
The awards returned as an in-person event this year as part of the Edinburgh TV Festival, supported by Screen Scotland. Jodie Comer, who won the 2021 Variety Outstanding Achievement Award, won the best TV actor in a drama award for her performance in Jack Thorne’s Channel 4 drama “Help.”
Actor, writer and director Diane Morgan received the 2022 Variety Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of her extensive body of work, which ranges from Ricky Gervais’ “After Life” to “Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe” and includes fan-favorite “Motherland” and and her much loved character Philomena Cunk.
Jury president Sue Vertue handed out the channel of the year award to Channel 4 director of content Ian Katz in what has been a very challenging year for the broadcaster, with the...
- 8/26/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Profits at ITV fell slightly in the first half of this year as the network gears up for the Itvx rollout, while total group revenue hit £1.9B (2.3B), ITV Studios’ scripted hours almost doubled in the line with the five-year masterplan and the production arm was making more shows for streamers than ever.
The half-year results, unveiled in the past few minutes, saw Ebita fall 3 to £318M (387M), with a far steeper fall in ITV network’s Media & Entertainment division, which encompasses commissioning and advertising, of 16 to £194M (236M). Producer/distributor ITV Studios grew Ebita by an impressive 31 to £124M (151M).
Having seen profits increase by more than 40 for the full-year last year, ITV put the slight profits decrease down to a boost in content spend of £58M and another £20M in data and technology for Itvx, the streaming service that will launch in Q4 and see shows made available...
The half-year results, unveiled in the past few minutes, saw Ebita fall 3 to £318M (387M), with a far steeper fall in ITV network’s Media & Entertainment division, which encompasses commissioning and advertising, of 16 to £194M (236M). Producer/distributor ITV Studios grew Ebita by an impressive 31 to £124M (151M).
Having seen profits increase by more than 40 for the full-year last year, ITV put the slight profits decrease down to a boost in content spend of £58M and another £20M in data and technology for Itvx, the streaming service that will launch in Q4 and see shows made available...
- 7/28/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Bad Robot’s head of television Ben Stephenson is leaving the company to launch his own as yet-unnamed transatlantic scripted label at ITV Studios.
Rachel Rusch Rich will step in as president at Bad Robot, promoted from her role as EVP.
Stephenson’s label, which will focus on high-end premium drama, will be based in London and Los Angeles with Stephenson working between both locations. ITV Studios will distribute for the new label.
In L.A., Stephenson will benefit from the ITV Studios U.S. infrastructure, which is headed by Philippe Maigret.
Stephenson has been head of television at Bad Robot since 2015, where he has developed and exec produced shows including “Westword,” “LoveCraft Country” and “Challenger,” among other shows. Before joining Bad Robot he spent nine years at the BBC as controller of drama commissioning. Among shows he oversaw at the BBC were “Luther,” “Sherlock” and “The Fall.”
“We wish...
Rachel Rusch Rich will step in as president at Bad Robot, promoted from her role as EVP.
Stephenson’s label, which will focus on high-end premium drama, will be based in London and Los Angeles with Stephenson working between both locations. ITV Studios will distribute for the new label.
In L.A., Stephenson will benefit from the ITV Studios U.S. infrastructure, which is headed by Philippe Maigret.
Stephenson has been head of television at Bad Robot since 2015, where he has developed and exec produced shows including “Westword,” “LoveCraft Country” and “Challenger,” among other shows. Before joining Bad Robot he spent nine years at the BBC as controller of drama commissioning. Among shows he oversaw at the BBC were “Luther,” “Sherlock” and “The Fall.”
“We wish...
- 7/12/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The UK’s ITV has agreed to acquire a majority interest of 79.5 in Hostile Planet and Tiny World producer Plimsoll Productions for approximately £103.5M (126M), giving the company an enterprise value of £131M (159.7M).
The stake is being acquired from private equity group Ldc, which made a multi-million dollar minority share investment in Plimsoll in 2019.
Plimsoll, founded by Grant Mansfield — a former ITV factual boss — in Bristol in 2013, is the world’s largest independent producer of natural history programs and focuses on making premium factual. The BAFTA, Emmy and Oscar-winning firm has produced hundreds of hours of content, which has traveled to nearly 200 countries.
Among its credits are Tiny World and Giant World for AppleTV+; Hostile Planet and Supernatural Planet for Disney; Night On Earth and Animal for Netflix; and the upcoming series A Year On Planet Earth for new parent ITV, Tencent in China, Fox Nation in the U.
The stake is being acquired from private equity group Ldc, which made a multi-million dollar minority share investment in Plimsoll in 2019.
Plimsoll, founded by Grant Mansfield — a former ITV factual boss — in Bristol in 2013, is the world’s largest independent producer of natural history programs and focuses on making premium factual. The BAFTA, Emmy and Oscar-winning firm has produced hundreds of hours of content, which has traveled to nearly 200 countries.
Among its credits are Tiny World and Giant World for AppleTV+; Hostile Planet and Supernatural Planet for Disney; Night On Earth and Animal for Netflix; and the upcoming series A Year On Planet Earth for new parent ITV, Tencent in China, Fox Nation in the U.
- 6/14/2022
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
U.K. broadcaster ITV has completed its acquisition of leading natural history program producer Plimsoll Productions by taking a majority 79.5 stake.
The deal, which was revealed by Variety last week, values Plimsoll at £131 million (161 million) and ITV will pay £104 million (127 million) in cash for the stake.
Founded in Bristol in 2013, the BAFTA, Emmy and Academy award winning Plimsoll has produced hundreds of hours of content including “Tiny World” and “Giant World” for Apple+; “Hostile Planet” and “Supernatural Planet” for Disney; “Night on Earth” and “Animal” for Netflix and the upcoming series, “A Year on Planet Earth” for ITV, Tencent in China, Fox Nation in the U.S. and Ard Group in Germany.
Under the leadership of founder Grant Mansfield, the Plimsoll team includes chief creative officer Martha Holmes, creative director Tom Hugh-Jones, Karen Plumb as head of factual entertainment; and Richard Klein, former head of ITV Factual, and head of documentaries at the BBC.
The deal, which was revealed by Variety last week, values Plimsoll at £131 million (161 million) and ITV will pay £104 million (127 million) in cash for the stake.
Founded in Bristol in 2013, the BAFTA, Emmy and Academy award winning Plimsoll has produced hundreds of hours of content including “Tiny World” and “Giant World” for Apple+; “Hostile Planet” and “Supernatural Planet” for Disney; “Night on Earth” and “Animal” for Netflix and the upcoming series, “A Year on Planet Earth” for ITV, Tencent in China, Fox Nation in the U.S. and Ard Group in Germany.
Under the leadership of founder Grant Mansfield, the Plimsoll team includes chief creative officer Martha Holmes, creative director Tom Hugh-Jones, Karen Plumb as head of factual entertainment; and Richard Klein, former head of ITV Factual, and head of documentaries at the BBC.
- 6/14/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
U.K. TV giant ITV said Tuesday that it has agreed to acquire a majority stake of 79.5 percent in natural history TV program producer Plimsoll Productions for approximately £103.5 million (126 million) in cash.
The deal values Plimsoll at an enterprise value of £131 million (150 million). Founded in Bristol in 2013, it has produced hundreds of hours of content watched and sold in nearly 200 countries.
“Through Plimsoll Productions, as a studio, we can continue to capitalize on the growing demand for natural history and factual programming,” ITV CEO Carolyn McCall said.
The producer is behind series including Tiny World and Giant World for Apple+; Hostile Planet and Supernatural Planet for Disney; Night on Earth and Animal for Netflix and the upcoming landmark series A Year on Planet Earth for ITV, Tencent in China, Fox Nation in the U.S. and Ard Group in Germany.
“This acquisition is a...
U.K. TV giant ITV said Tuesday that it has agreed to acquire a majority stake of 79.5 percent in natural history TV program producer Plimsoll Productions for approximately £103.5 million (126 million) in cash.
The deal values Plimsoll at an enterprise value of £131 million (150 million). Founded in Bristol in 2013, it has produced hundreds of hours of content watched and sold in nearly 200 countries.
“Through Plimsoll Productions, as a studio, we can continue to capitalize on the growing demand for natural history and factual programming,” ITV CEO Carolyn McCall said.
The producer is behind series including Tiny World and Giant World for Apple+; Hostile Planet and Supernatural Planet for Disney; Night on Earth and Animal for Netflix and the upcoming landmark series A Year on Planet Earth for ITV, Tencent in China, Fox Nation in the U.S. and Ard Group in Germany.
“This acquisition is a...
- 6/14/2022
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
U.K. broadcast giant ITV, which also has a flourishing global production business, revealed an ambitious five-year growth plan on Thursday that included a number of key performance indicators.
The “Love Island” producer’s goals for 2026 are to bring organic revenue growth in 2022 back to pre-pandemic 2019 levels and thereafter grow at 5% annually; grow earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization by 13-15%; double the number of high end scripted hours from 200 to 400; increase the number of global formats produced in three or more countries from 16 to 20; and boost the revenue percentage from streamers from 14 to 25.
Top ITV executives took investors through a comprehensive two-hour presentation detailing the company’s achievements and ambitions.
“2020 was one of the hardest years we will live through in terms of working lives and running businesses and our home lives as well, and in that year, our margin was around 11% for 2020,” said ITV CFO Sharjeel Suleman during the presentation.
The “Love Island” producer’s goals for 2026 are to bring organic revenue growth in 2022 back to pre-pandemic 2019 levels and thereafter grow at 5% annually; grow earnings before interest, taxes, and amortization by 13-15%; double the number of high end scripted hours from 200 to 400; increase the number of global formats produced in three or more countries from 16 to 20; and boost the revenue percentage from streamers from 14 to 25.
Top ITV executives took investors through a comprehensive two-hour presentation detailing the company’s achievements and ambitions.
“2020 was one of the hardest years we will live through in terms of working lives and running businesses and our home lives as well, and in that year, our margin was around 11% for 2020,” said ITV CFO Sharjeel Suleman during the presentation.
- 12/9/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
ITV has shifted focus to “aggressively pursuing talent deals”, according to CEO Carolyn McCall, who said the UK outfit is more lukewarm on straight acquisitions and has turned some down “because they were not the right economics.”
Speaking during a two-hour investor conference this afternoon following the release of producer/distributor ITV Studios’ five-year masterplan, McCall and ITV Studios MD Julian Bellamy pointed to recent high-profile talent deals. The likes of It’s A Sin exec Nicola Shindler launched her Quay Street Productions banner with ITV Studios and Industry exec David P. Davis’ fledgling 5 Acts Productions is also backed by the producer/distributor. Shindler was referenced several times during the investor call, which featured contributions from multiple ITV execs.
Bellamy set out the thinking in further detail: “In order to continue to attract the best talent, you have to be flexible. Talent deals can range from a conventional employee deal...
Speaking during a two-hour investor conference this afternoon following the release of producer/distributor ITV Studios’ five-year masterplan, McCall and ITV Studios MD Julian Bellamy pointed to recent high-profile talent deals. The likes of It’s A Sin exec Nicola Shindler launched her Quay Street Productions banner with ITV Studios and Industry exec David P. Davis’ fledgling 5 Acts Productions is also backed by the producer/distributor. Shindler was referenced several times during the investor call, which featured contributions from multiple ITV execs.
Bellamy set out the thinking in further detail: “In order to continue to attract the best talent, you have to be flexible. Talent deals can range from a conventional employee deal...
- 12/9/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV Studios has outlined mega five-year ambitions to increase revenue by 5% per year, double its number of scripted hours and almost double its proportion of total revenue from the streamers.
Setting out plans before an investor seminar this afternoon, ITV’s production outfit said it should return to 2019 levels by next year and plans to then grow by 5%.
Adjusted Ebitda should increase by 13% to 15% over the same period, according to the grand ambition.
Turnover last year fell almost 25% to 1.4Bn and Ebitda dropped a massive 43% to £152M during a 12 months heavily impacted by the pandemic but ITV’s recent nine-month results showed major improvements, with ITV Studios’ revenues reversing by 32% to £1.2Bn for the first nine months of 2021.
The Love Island and Line Of Duty producer, which has 60 production labels across 13 countries, also set out ambitions to double its number of high-end scripted hours from 200 to 400 by 2026, paired with a...
Setting out plans before an investor seminar this afternoon, ITV’s production outfit said it should return to 2019 levels by next year and plans to then grow by 5%.
Adjusted Ebitda should increase by 13% to 15% over the same period, according to the grand ambition.
Turnover last year fell almost 25% to 1.4Bn and Ebitda dropped a massive 43% to £152M during a 12 months heavily impacted by the pandemic but ITV’s recent nine-month results showed major improvements, with ITV Studios’ revenues reversing by 32% to £1.2Bn for the first nine months of 2021.
The Love Island and Line Of Duty producer, which has 60 production labels across 13 countries, also set out ambitions to double its number of high-end scripted hours from 200 to 400 by 2026, paired with a...
- 12/9/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Lifted Entertainment boss Angela Jain has been handed the newly-created role of ITV Studios Director of Unscripted in the UK.
Reporting into ITV Studios MD Julian Bellamy, Jain will be handed responsibility for 11 UK unscripted labels including the likes of Lifted Entertainment, of which she is currently the MD, The Garden, Multistory Media and Twofour. The MDs of all the labels will report to her.
Jain has overseen hits such as I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Love Island and BBC2 format University Challenge in her current role with Lifted, with her successor set to be named soon. She is a former controller of E4 and has also commissioned for Channel 4 and Channel 5.
“ITV Studios houses some of the best unscripted programme makers in the world and this genre is all set to continue to grow,” said Bellamy. “Angela’s vast amount of experience, leadership...
Reporting into ITV Studios MD Julian Bellamy, Jain will be handed responsibility for 11 UK unscripted labels including the likes of Lifted Entertainment, of which she is currently the MD, The Garden, Multistory Media and Twofour. The MDs of all the labels will report to her.
Jain has overseen hits such as I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, Love Island and BBC2 format University Challenge in her current role with Lifted, with her successor set to be named soon. She is a former controller of E4 and has also commissioned for Channel 4 and Channel 5.
“ITV Studios houses some of the best unscripted programme makers in the world and this genre is all set to continue to grow,” said Bellamy. “Angela’s vast amount of experience, leadership...
- 11/17/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV Studios’ longstanding Director of Production Sally Debonnaire, a former Managing Director of Talkback and Avalon, is to step down after a decade, and her team is to be restructured.
Debonnaire is calling time on an illustrious forty-year career that has seen her spend the last decade leading ITV Studios’ global production management teams, overseeing the group’s expansion to a 60-label business. She was previously Managing Director of The X Factor producer Talkback before moving to do the same at Starstruck indie Avalon Television and subsequently heading up the BBC’s in-house production department. She moved to ITV Studios in 2012 and will depart early next year.
Debonnaire’s departure is initiating a restructure that will see Head of Production For Drama And Continuing Drama Matt Cleary promoted to Director of Production, Scripted, Head of Production Daytime Helen Killeen doing the same for Non-Scripted and ITV Sport Head of Production...
Debonnaire is calling time on an illustrious forty-year career that has seen her spend the last decade leading ITV Studios’ global production management teams, overseeing the group’s expansion to a 60-label business. She was previously Managing Director of The X Factor producer Talkback before moving to do the same at Starstruck indie Avalon Television and subsequently heading up the BBC’s in-house production department. She moved to ITV Studios in 2012 and will depart early next year.
Debonnaire’s departure is initiating a restructure that will see Head of Production For Drama And Continuing Drama Matt Cleary promoted to Director of Production, Scripted, Head of Production Daytime Helen Killeen doing the same for Non-Scripted and ITV Sport Head of Production...
- 10/19/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV Studios has backed entertainment producer Rollercoaster Television, which has been established by two producers from Banijay-owned Remarkable.
Remarkable managing director James Fox and director of content Dom Waugh have worked on shows including BBC One’s The Wall, Pointless, and All Together Now. They are currently making Stars In Their Eyes-style format Starstuck for ITV.
Rollercoaster Television will produce entertainment shows for the UK and global markets. ITV Studios will handle the outfit’s international sales.
“We’ve had an amazing 10 years and more with the brilliant team at Remarkable,” Fox and Waugh said. “But now feels like the time for the next adventure and the chance to build a new slate of shows for the UK and beyond. We’re thrilled to be joining Julian and the team at ITV Studios and can’t wait to get started later in the year.”
Julian Bellamy, ITV Studios managing director,...
Remarkable managing director James Fox and director of content Dom Waugh have worked on shows including BBC One’s The Wall, Pointless, and All Together Now. They are currently making Stars In Their Eyes-style format Starstuck for ITV.
Rollercoaster Television will produce entertainment shows for the UK and global markets. ITV Studios will handle the outfit’s international sales.
“We’ve had an amazing 10 years and more with the brilliant team at Remarkable,” Fox and Waugh said. “But now feels like the time for the next adventure and the chance to build a new slate of shows for the UK and beyond. We’re thrilled to be joining Julian and the team at ITV Studios and can’t wait to get started later in the year.”
Julian Bellamy, ITV Studios managing director,...
- 6/15/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Seasoned producers James Fox and Dom Waugh will join ITV Studios label Rollercoaster Television, later this year.
The new outfit is an entertainment label set up to create and produce new formats for the U.K. and global markets.
Currently heading up the entertainment division of Remarkable as MD and director of content respectively, Fox and Waugh have created and produced several hit formats, including singing competition “All Together Now” and the BAFTA-nominated “Richard Osman’s House of Games.”
The duo are currently delivering Remarkable’s “Starstuck” for ITV, a new primetime entertainment series which sees ordinary members of the public team up to transform into the world’s biggest music icons.
Fox and Waugh said: “From the joy of Saturday night entertainment like ‘All Together Now’ and ‘Starstruck,’ the fun of daytime quizzes like ‘House of Games’ and ‘Pointless’ to the exhilaration of big money gameshows like ‘The Million Pound Drop’ and ‘The Wall,...
The new outfit is an entertainment label set up to create and produce new formats for the U.K. and global markets.
Currently heading up the entertainment division of Remarkable as MD and director of content respectively, Fox and Waugh have created and produced several hit formats, including singing competition “All Together Now” and the BAFTA-nominated “Richard Osman’s House of Games.”
The duo are currently delivering Remarkable’s “Starstuck” for ITV, a new primetime entertainment series which sees ordinary members of the public team up to transform into the world’s biggest music icons.
Fox and Waugh said: “From the joy of Saturday night entertainment like ‘All Together Now’ and ‘Starstruck,’ the fun of daytime quizzes like ‘House of Games’ and ‘Pointless’ to the exhilaration of big money gameshows like ‘The Million Pound Drop’ and ‘The Wall,...
- 6/15/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
ITV Studios has acquired a controlling stake in Apple Tree Productions, the Danish production outfit founded by BAFTA-winning producer Piv Bernth.
ITV Studios previously had a 25% stake in the business, which has now risen to 51%. Apple Tree will now be part of ITV Studios’ international production group with bases in 12 countries, under managing director Lisa Perrin.
Bernth is one of the pioneers of the globally popular Nordic noir genre, having produced iconic shows like “The Killing” and “The Bridge.” Lars Hermann, producer and former deputy head of drama at Danish broadcaster Dr, co-founded Apple Tree in 2017 with Bernth.
“Expanding the international scripted footprint is very important to ITV Studios and this acquisition couldn’t be at a better time with Piv and Lars producing some of the best scripted content in the world right now,” said Perrin.
Shows produced by Apple Tree include Netflix supernatural thriller “Equinox.” Pre-production is also...
ITV Studios previously had a 25% stake in the business, which has now risen to 51%. Apple Tree will now be part of ITV Studios’ international production group with bases in 12 countries, under managing director Lisa Perrin.
Bernth is one of the pioneers of the globally popular Nordic noir genre, having produced iconic shows like “The Killing” and “The Bridge.” Lars Hermann, producer and former deputy head of drama at Danish broadcaster Dr, co-founded Apple Tree in 2017 with Bernth.
“Expanding the international scripted footprint is very important to ITV Studios and this acquisition couldn’t be at a better time with Piv and Lars producing some of the best scripted content in the world right now,” said Perrin.
Shows produced by Apple Tree include Netflix supernatural thriller “Equinox.” Pre-production is also...
- 3/1/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
ITV Studios has taken control of Apple Tree Productions, the Danish scripted producer founded in 2017 by The Killing and The Bridge producer Piv Bernth.
ITV Studios has upped its stake in the company from 25% to 51% and it will become a more integrated part of the production arm’s family of scripted producers. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Co-founded by Dr deputy head of drama and producer Lars Hermann, Apple Tree is behind Netflix supernatural thriller series Equinox.
Pre-production is also underway on an adaptation of Kerstin Ekman’s multi-award winning crime novel, Blackwater, for Svt in Sweden and Ard in Germany.
Bernth and Hermann said: “We hope that we, closer together now, can merge all our best efforts and make Scandinavian and international drama to viewers all over the world.”
Julian Bellamy, ITV Studios’ managing director, added: “The global appetite for the Nordics’ very distinctive style of storytelling has grown and grown,...
ITV Studios has upped its stake in the company from 25% to 51% and it will become a more integrated part of the production arm’s family of scripted producers. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Co-founded by Dr deputy head of drama and producer Lars Hermann, Apple Tree is behind Netflix supernatural thriller series Equinox.
Pre-production is also underway on an adaptation of Kerstin Ekman’s multi-award winning crime novel, Blackwater, for Svt in Sweden and Ard in Germany.
Bernth and Hermann said: “We hope that we, closer together now, can merge all our best efforts and make Scandinavian and international drama to viewers all over the world.”
Julian Bellamy, ITV Studios’ managing director, added: “The global appetite for the Nordics’ very distinctive style of storytelling has grown and grown,...
- 3/1/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV Studios has appointed Pat Younge, a UK television industry veteran, as a non-executive director on its board.
Younge, a former BBC Studios and Travel Channel executive, is currently the co-managing director of Cardiff Productions after recently leaving the Sky-backed production outfit Sugar Films.
Younge will replace Denise O’Donoghue with immediate effect and advise ITV Studios’ management team on strategy and business development, working closely with managing director Julian Bellamy.
“Pat is a renowned leader in our industry with extensive experience across program making, running Studios and TV channels. His contribution to the ITV Studios Board will be invaluable,” Bellamy said.
Younge ran TV production while at BBC Studios, overseeing shows including Doctor Who and Top Gear. Prior to that, he was a president at Travel Channel Media, during which time shows including Man v Food were launched.
Younge, a former BBC Studios and Travel Channel executive, is currently the co-managing director of Cardiff Productions after recently leaving the Sky-backed production outfit Sugar Films.
Younge will replace Denise O’Donoghue with immediate effect and advise ITV Studios’ management team on strategy and business development, working closely with managing director Julian Bellamy.
“Pat is a renowned leader in our industry with extensive experience across program making, running Studios and TV channels. His contribution to the ITV Studios Board will be invaluable,” Bellamy said.
Younge ran TV production while at BBC Studios, overseeing shows including Doctor Who and Top Gear. Prior to that, he was a president at Travel Channel Media, during which time shows including Man v Food were launched.
- 11/18/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Hello and welcome to International Insider. Tom Grater here bringing you our latest rundown of international news, including some exciting TIFF deal-making action, a key hire in the German TV market, and the winners from the first major film festival to take place in the pandemic era.
Netflix Ignites Toronto
Pre-market nerves: “How will this year’s market play out? Who knows?” Wrote Deadline’s Mike Fleming on the eve of this year’s Toronto Film Festival. You can read our full preview piece here, but the main message of those we spoke to was one of uncertainty towards the business prospects of this year’s virtual event, despite the relative success of Venice’s recent pandemic era edition.
Deal flurry: Step forward Netflix, which got things off to a flyer when it swooped on Bruised, the mixed martial arts drama that marks the directorial debut of Halle Berry, in...
Netflix Ignites Toronto
Pre-market nerves: “How will this year’s market play out? Who knows?” Wrote Deadline’s Mike Fleming on the eve of this year’s Toronto Film Festival. You can read our full preview piece here, but the main message of those we spoke to was one of uncertainty towards the business prospects of this year’s virtual event, despite the relative success of Venice’s recent pandemic era edition.
Deal flurry: Step forward Netflix, which got things off to a flyer when it swooped on Bruised, the mixed martial arts drama that marks the directorial debut of Halle Berry, in...
- 9/18/2020
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV Studios has said that around 80% of its productions shut down by the coronavirus are now filming again or have been delivered.
The broadcast giant had been forced to halt 230 in-house shows at the height of the pandemic, which dented revenues for the first half of this year by a painful 17%.
Speaking this morning during the ITV Studios Fall Festival, a series of virtual content and production sessions for buyers held over three weeks, the broadcaster struck an upbeat tone, promoting dramas such as submarine thriller Vigil (pictured above), Cattleya’s Romulus and evergreen Line Of Duty 6, as well as reality shows including Love Island USA, whose second season has been shot on a Las Vegas hotel rooftop, and ten year anniversary special The Voice Allstars.
Julian Bellamy, ITV Studios MD, confirmed that “of shows paused in March or April due to the pandemic around 80% have resumed or are complete and this number is rising.
The broadcast giant had been forced to halt 230 in-house shows at the height of the pandemic, which dented revenues for the first half of this year by a painful 17%.
Speaking this morning during the ITV Studios Fall Festival, a series of virtual content and production sessions for buyers held over three weeks, the broadcaster struck an upbeat tone, promoting dramas such as submarine thriller Vigil (pictured above), Cattleya’s Romulus and evergreen Line Of Duty 6, as well as reality shows including Love Island USA, whose second season has been shot on a Las Vegas hotel rooftop, and ten year anniversary special The Voice Allstars.
Julian Bellamy, ITV Studios MD, confirmed that “of shows paused in March or April due to the pandemic around 80% have resumed or are complete and this number is rising.
- 9/15/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV Studios has said that 80% of its productions impacted by coronavirus have now resumed shooting or have been delivered, but that international travel restrictions have limited the scope of filming.
Broadcaster ITV said in its August earnings call that 70% of the 230 productions impacted or paused by lockdown had resumed. That figure has now risen, with around 23 more shows back in business or pushed through in the last month. However, in an interview with Variety, Lisa Perrin, managing director of international production for ITV Studios, said “most countries are staying where they are” in filming new shows, as multi-location shoots are rife with challenges due to shifting quarantine orders.
In Europe especially, shoots are increasingly complicated by changing regulations around travel, particularly for the U.K., which has been steadily plucking countries such as France, Spain and Croatia off its safe travel list.
“’Love Island Germany’ is happening in Mallorca because...
Broadcaster ITV said in its August earnings call that 70% of the 230 productions impacted or paused by lockdown had resumed. That figure has now risen, with around 23 more shows back in business or pushed through in the last month. However, in an interview with Variety, Lisa Perrin, managing director of international production for ITV Studios, said “most countries are staying where they are” in filming new shows, as multi-location shoots are rife with challenges due to shifting quarantine orders.
In Europe especially, shoots are increasingly complicated by changing regulations around travel, particularly for the U.K., which has been steadily plucking countries such as France, Spain and Croatia off its safe travel list.
“’Love Island Germany’ is happening in Mallorca because...
- 9/15/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Shindler launched Red in 1998 and has been Cco of Studiocanal since March.
UK film and TV producder Nicola Shindler is leaving Red Production Company to launch a scripted label with ITV Studios.
The multi Bafta award-winning Shindler will launch the as-yet-unnamed Manchester-based label in 2021 and develop and produce premium drama for the UK and international market.
Shindler founded Red in 1998 and sold a majority stake to Studiocanal in 2013. Earlier this year, she was appointed chief creative officer of Studiocanal, while remaining responsible for Red, having previously acted as chief executive of StudioCanal UK.
She will remain in post at Studiocanal...
UK film and TV producder Nicola Shindler is leaving Red Production Company to launch a scripted label with ITV Studios.
The multi Bafta award-winning Shindler will launch the as-yet-unnamed Manchester-based label in 2021 and develop and produce premium drama for the UK and international market.
Shindler founded Red in 1998 and sold a majority stake to Studiocanal in 2013. Earlier this year, she was appointed chief creative officer of Studiocanal, while remaining responsible for Red, having previously acted as chief executive of StudioCanal UK.
She will remain in post at Studiocanal...
- 9/14/2020
- by John Elmes Broadcast
- ScreenDaily
UK producer and executive Nicola Shindler, who most recently served as Chief Creative Officer of Studiocanal UK, is leaving the Euro studio to launch a scripted label within ITV Studios.
Based in Manchester, the label will see her develop and produce premium drama for the UK and international market. She will join and launch the label in 2021 with international distribution handled by ITV Studios.
Shindler is known for her work on series including Happy Valley, Last Tango In Halifax and Queer As Folk. She won her first of seven BAFTAs as producer on Hillsborough for ITV.
The respected producer joined Studiocanal in 2018 following the departure of long-time UK chief Danny Perkins. However, there was less room at the inn after the arrival of former eOne UK boss Alex Hamilton earlier this year, an appointment which saw Shindler’s role shift from UK CEO to UK Chief Creative Officer.
We’re...
Based in Manchester, the label will see her develop and produce premium drama for the UK and international market. She will join and launch the label in 2021 with international distribution handled by ITV Studios.
Shindler is known for her work on series including Happy Valley, Last Tango In Halifax and Queer As Folk. She won her first of seven BAFTAs as producer on Hillsborough for ITV.
The respected producer joined Studiocanal in 2018 following the departure of long-time UK chief Danny Perkins. However, there was less room at the inn after the arrival of former eOne UK boss Alex Hamilton earlier this year, an appointment which saw Shindler’s role shift from UK CEO to UK Chief Creative Officer.
We’re...
- 9/14/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
U.K. super-producer Nicola Shindler is to step down from her production company Red, and launch a scripted label under ITV Studios. Based in Manchester, the new firm will develop and produce premium drama for the U.K. and international market.
Shindler, who most recently served as chief creative officer of London-based Studiocanal U.K., will join ITV Studios and launch her new company in 2021, though it’s still unclear when in the year she will join. International distribution for Shindler’s new label will be handled by ITV Studios.
The new venture effectively brings to a close Shindler’s relationship with Studiocanal, which took a majority stake in Shindler’s production company Red in 2013. She became CEO of Studiocanal U.K. in 2018, but stepped into the chief creative officer role earlier this year after Entertainment One executive Alex Hamilton was made CEO of the U.K. operation.
Variety has...
Shindler, who most recently served as chief creative officer of London-based Studiocanal U.K., will join ITV Studios and launch her new company in 2021, though it’s still unclear when in the year she will join. International distribution for Shindler’s new label will be handled by ITV Studios.
The new venture effectively brings to a close Shindler’s relationship with Studiocanal, which took a majority stake in Shindler’s production company Red in 2013. She became CEO of Studiocanal U.K. in 2018, but stepped into the chief creative officer role earlier this year after Entertainment One executive Alex Hamilton was made CEO of the U.K. operation.
Variety has...
- 9/14/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Nicola Shindler, the award-winning British TV veteran and producer of such hit shows as Happy Valley, Queer as Folk and, most recently, Harlan Coben’s The Stranger for Netflix, is launching a new scripted label within ITV Studios.
Shindler, founder and current CEO of the Studiocanal-owned Red Production Company, is set to join the unit of U.K. TV giant ITV and launch the new Manchester-based label in 2021. Studiocanal has confirmed she will remain at the helm of Red until the end of 2020.
“Nicola is one of Britain’s most talented and prolific drama producers,” said Julian Bellamy, managing director ...
Shindler, founder and current CEO of the Studiocanal-owned Red Production Company, is set to join the unit of U.K. TV giant ITV and launch the new Manchester-based label in 2021. Studiocanal has confirmed she will remain at the helm of Red until the end of 2020.
“Nicola is one of Britain’s most talented and prolific drama producers,” said Julian Bellamy, managing director ...
- 9/14/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Nicola Shindler, the award-winning British TV veteran and producer of such hit shows as Happy Valley, Queer as Folk and, most recently, Harlan Coben’s The Stranger for Netflix, is launching a new scripted label within ITV Studios.
Shindler, founder and current CEO of the Studiocanal-owned Red Production Company, is set to join the unit of U.K. TV giant ITV and launch the new Manchester-based label in 2021. Studiocanal has confirmed she will remain at the helm of Red until the end of 2020.
“Nicola is one of Britain’s most talented and prolific drama producers,” said Julian Bellamy, managing director ...
Shindler, founder and current CEO of the Studiocanal-owned Red Production Company, is set to join the unit of U.K. TV giant ITV and launch the new Manchester-based label in 2021. Studiocanal has confirmed she will remain at the helm of Red until the end of 2020.
“Nicola is one of Britain’s most talented and prolific drama producers,” said Julian Bellamy, managing director ...
- 9/14/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The BBC’s director of content Charlotte Moore has revealed that the British broadcaster is planning to resume filming on Top Gear and EastEnders next month following the coronavirus production shutdown.
In a blog on the BBC website, Moore said production will restart on the BBC Studios car show and soap opera by the end of June, while plans are also being drawn up to resume shoots on other independently-produced shows.
Her commitment to a restart follows Deadline revealing this week that the government has given the green light for TV and film production to resume in the UK as part of its plans to get the country back to work.
“We’ve been looking very carefully at how we can safely put some of our shows back into production, and I’m pleased to announce that we plan to begin filming again on both EastEnders and Top Gear by the end of next month,...
In a blog on the BBC website, Moore said production will restart on the BBC Studios car show and soap opera by the end of June, while plans are also being drawn up to resume shoots on other independently-produced shows.
Her commitment to a restart follows Deadline revealing this week that the government has given the green light for TV and film production to resume in the UK as part of its plans to get the country back to work.
“We’ve been looking very carefully at how we can safely put some of our shows back into production, and I’m pleased to announce that we plan to begin filming again on both EastEnders and Top Gear by the end of next month,...
- 5/14/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Wayne Garvie could see the tsunami coming as early as January, but he was still not prepared for the speed with which coronavirus ripped through the TV industry. Sony Pictures Television’s president of international production watched as his colleagues in China were forced into self-isolation. Korea came next and then, before he knew it, the virus had hit the shores of Europe.
It was here that Garvie got his first taste of a major production being swept up in the towering crisis, as Sony and its co-production partners were forced to abandon shooting on their Frank Spotnitz drama Leonardo (pictured above), starring Aidan Turner and Freddie Highmore. “At one stage, we were going to get the sets moved over from Rome to London so we could shoot Freddie. But then — this all happened so quickly — within days it became quite clear that by the time the sets arrived, you...
It was here that Garvie got his first taste of a major production being swept up in the towering crisis, as Sony and its co-production partners were forced to abandon shooting on their Frank Spotnitz drama Leonardo (pictured above), starring Aidan Turner and Freddie Highmore. “At one stage, we were going to get the sets moved over from Rome to London so we could shoot Freddie. But then — this all happened so quickly — within days it became quite clear that by the time the sets arrived, you...
- 5/7/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV Studios has reshuffled the management of Eggheads producer 12 Yard following the departure of Andy Culpin to Elisabeth Murdoch-backed 110% Content.
The Weakest Link co-creator Culpin has joined 110% Content, which was set up by former ITV entertainment chief Siobhan Greene, as creative director. The company is backed by Shine Group founder Murdoch. Culpin was Managing Director of 12 Yard.
Michael Mannes, who was Deputy MD of the company, becomes MD following Culpin’s departure after joining the business in 2005. Meanwhile, Liz Gaskell becomes Creative Director.
Mannes has has produced shows including primetime BBC One quiz shows Who Dares Wins and In It to Win It, ITV’s Big Star’s Little Star, and Insert Name Here on BBC Two. Prior to this he was at the BBC, where he worked on the first series of Strictly Come Dancing, while he started his career at Planet 24 on The Big Breakfast.
Gaskell has...
The Weakest Link co-creator Culpin has joined 110% Content, which was set up by former ITV entertainment chief Siobhan Greene, as creative director. The company is backed by Shine Group founder Murdoch. Culpin was Managing Director of 12 Yard.
Michael Mannes, who was Deputy MD of the company, becomes MD following Culpin’s departure after joining the business in 2005. Meanwhile, Liz Gaskell becomes Creative Director.
Mannes has has produced shows including primetime BBC One quiz shows Who Dares Wins and In It to Win It, ITV’s Big Star’s Little Star, and Insert Name Here on BBC Two. Prior to this he was at the BBC, where he worked on the first series of Strictly Come Dancing, while he started his career at Planet 24 on The Big Breakfast.
Gaskell has...
- 1/29/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Long-time Endemol Shine Group executive Lisa Perrin has joined ITV Studios as managing director of international studios, overseeing its production assets outside of the UK and U.S.
Perrin will work closely with production chiefs in more than 13 different territories, including Australia, France and Germany. She will report directly to Julian Bellamy, managing director of ITV Studios.
Perrin moves to ITV Studios after six years at Endemol Shine Group, where she was most recently the CEO of its creative networks division, rolling out formats including The Wall and All Together Now globally.
She is the latest executive to exit the company as it undergoes a takeover from Banijay Group, with other departures including Black Mirror creators Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones last week.
As part of her work at ITV Studios, Perrin will also take ownership of the Nordics from Mike Beale, who now takes on the expanded role of...
Perrin will work closely with production chiefs in more than 13 different territories, including Australia, France and Germany. She will report directly to Julian Bellamy, managing director of ITV Studios.
Perrin moves to ITV Studios after six years at Endemol Shine Group, where she was most recently the CEO of its creative networks division, rolling out formats including The Wall and All Together Now globally.
She is the latest executive to exit the company as it undergoes a takeover from Banijay Group, with other departures including Black Mirror creators Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones last week.
As part of her work at ITV Studios, Perrin will also take ownership of the Nordics from Mike Beale, who now takes on the expanded role of...
- 1/28/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV Studios has snapped up Endemol Shine executive Lisa Perrin, appointing her as the new managing director of international production.
Perrin joins the company from Endemol Shine Group (Esg) where she served as CEO of Creative Networks. Her exit comes as the business prepares to merge with Banijay Group, resulting in the departures of a number of long-time execs, such as head of Endemol Shine International Cathy Payne.
Reporting directly to Julian Bellamy, managing director of ITV Studios, Perrin will form part of the senior management team, overseeing the day-to-day operation of ITV Studios’ production labels outside the U.K. and U.S., developing business strategy and vision as well as identifying growth opportunities in new and existing markets.
She will work closely with the managing directors of ITV Studios Australia, France, Germany, Middle East, Netherlands Finland, Sweden and Norway as well as Tetra Media Studios in France, Talpa and Imago in Germany,...
Perrin joins the company from Endemol Shine Group (Esg) where she served as CEO of Creative Networks. Her exit comes as the business prepares to merge with Banijay Group, resulting in the departures of a number of long-time execs, such as head of Endemol Shine International Cathy Payne.
Reporting directly to Julian Bellamy, managing director of ITV Studios, Perrin will form part of the senior management team, overseeing the day-to-day operation of ITV Studios’ production labels outside the U.K. and U.S., developing business strategy and vision as well as identifying growth opportunities in new and existing markets.
She will work closely with the managing directors of ITV Studios Australia, France, Germany, Middle East, Netherlands Finland, Sweden and Norway as well as Tetra Media Studios in France, Talpa and Imago in Germany,...
- 1/28/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, the executive producer of A Very English Scandal, is setting up a drama production label with ITV Studios.
Treadwell-Collins is starting up at ITV Studios after more than three years as the head of television at Blueprint Pictures. He started his new role this week and will aim to create high-ended scripted series, which can be sold internationally by ITV Studios.
Treadwell-Collins will act as showrunner on his own projects, as well as executive producing all other shows made by the label. It follows the producer overseeing Russell T Davies’ BBC One drama A Very English Scandal, which starred Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw, who scooped up a BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe for his performance as Norman Scott.
ITV Studios managing director Julian Bellamy said: “I have long been an admirer of Dominic’s creativity and storytelling, as exemplified by the award-winning A Very English Scandal. We...
Treadwell-Collins is starting up at ITV Studios after more than three years as the head of television at Blueprint Pictures. He started his new role this week and will aim to create high-ended scripted series, which can be sold internationally by ITV Studios.
Treadwell-Collins will act as showrunner on his own projects, as well as executive producing all other shows made by the label. It follows the producer overseeing Russell T Davies’ BBC One drama A Very English Scandal, which starred Hugh Grant and Ben Whishaw, who scooped up a BAFTA, Emmy and Golden Globe for his performance as Norman Scott.
ITV Studios managing director Julian Bellamy said: “I have long been an admirer of Dominic’s creativity and storytelling, as exemplified by the award-winning A Very English Scandal. We...
- 11/27/2019
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Melanie Leach and Andrew Mackenzie are exiting The Jump and This Time Next Year producer Twofour Group to set up their own ITV-backed venture.
Deadline understands that the pair, who are CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Twofour respectively, are in the concluding phase of talks with ITV Studios to back their new production business South Shore.
This comes four years after ITV acquired TwoFour Group, one of the largest non-scripted producers in the UK, in a deal that cost it £55M for a 75% stake.
South Shore will produce documentaries, popular factual programming and entertainment formats. Leach and Mackenzie are to continue to oversee Twofour until talks with ITV Studios close. Twofour CFO and COO Anthony Hughes will also join them at South Shore.
TwoFour Group was founded in 1989 by former BBC news producer Charles Wace with Leach becoming CEO in 2014. It also produces series including the Educating franchise,...
Deadline understands that the pair, who are CEO and Chief Creative Officer of Twofour respectively, are in the concluding phase of talks with ITV Studios to back their new production business South Shore.
This comes four years after ITV acquired TwoFour Group, one of the largest non-scripted producers in the UK, in a deal that cost it £55M for a 75% stake.
South Shore will produce documentaries, popular factual programming and entertainment formats. Leach and Mackenzie are to continue to oversee Twofour until talks with ITV Studios close. Twofour CFO and COO Anthony Hughes will also join them at South Shore.
TwoFour Group was founded in 1989 by former BBC news producer Charles Wace with Leach becoming CEO in 2014. It also produces series including the Educating franchise,...
- 10/8/2019
- by Peter White and Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The Voice creator John De Mol is exiting ITV four years after the British broadcaster and producer acquired his company Talpa Media. This comes as ITV Studios has reorganized its international sales and formats business in a move that will see the closure of his Talpa Media brand.
Big Brother creator De Mol has chosen not to exercise his option to extend the earn-out period for a further three years. He will instead focus on the further development of his company Talpa Network, which owns a raft of broadcast networks in Holland, as of 2020, although he will continue to provide management services to Talpa Media until the end of April next year.
The company said that it wished De Mol well and will continue to work with him via a first-look deal in relation to future formats.
ITV Studios, which sells shows including Love Island, has unveiled a new three-tier structure,...
Big Brother creator De Mol has chosen not to exercise his option to extend the earn-out period for a further three years. He will instead focus on the further development of his company Talpa Network, which owns a raft of broadcast networks in Holland, as of 2020, although he will continue to provide management services to Talpa Media until the end of April next year.
The company said that it wished De Mol well and will continue to work with him via a first-look deal in relation to future formats.
ITV Studios, which sells shows including Love Island, has unveiled a new three-tier structure,...
- 10/1/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV Studios now has a controlling stake in Monumental Television, the production company that makes Hulu series “Harlots” and that was founded by Oscar-nominated film producers Alison Owen and Debra Hayward. ITV first bought into the company in 2015 and has upped its stake from 26% to 51%.
Julian Bellamy, managing director of ITV Studios, said: “Alison and Debra have proven to be a fantastic fit within the ITV family over the last four years. They’re outstanding creatives with fantastic talent relationships, and I can’t wait to work even more closely with them as they start the next phase of Monumental’s growth.”
Owen and Hayward work in both film and TV. Owen’s movie credits include “Saving Mr Banks.” Hayward, formerly head of film at Working Title, is a producer on the upcoming adaptation of “Cats.”
Speaking about their Monumental deal with ITV, the pair said in a joint statement:...
Julian Bellamy, managing director of ITV Studios, said: “Alison and Debra have proven to be a fantastic fit within the ITV family over the last four years. They’re outstanding creatives with fantastic talent relationships, and I can’t wait to work even more closely with them as they start the next phase of Monumental’s growth.”
Owen and Hayward work in both film and TV. Owen’s movie credits include “Saving Mr Banks.” Hayward, formerly head of film at Working Title, is a producer on the upcoming adaptation of “Cats.”
Speaking about their Monumental deal with ITV, the pair said in a joint statement:...
- 7/18/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
ITV has increased its investment stake in Harlots producer Monumental Television.
The company, via its production division ITV Studios, has increased its stake in the British production company from 26% to 51%, giving it a majority stake. The deal will see the indie, run by Alison Owen and Debra Hayward, become more of an integral part of the larger group.
ITV Studios Global Entertainment will continue to distribute Monumental shows.
The company recently produced three series of Hulu’s Harlots and BBC One comedy Ghosts and it is in “advanced development” on several other scripted series.
Julian Bellamy, Managing Director ITV Studios and Maxine Gardner, ITV Studios UK Finance Director, join Owen, Hayward and Ruth Berry, Managing Director Itvs Ge, on the board.
Julian Bellamy, Managing Director ITV Studios, said, “Alison and Debra have proven to be a fantastic fit within the ITV family over the last four years. They’re outstanding...
The company, via its production division ITV Studios, has increased its stake in the British production company from 26% to 51%, giving it a majority stake. The deal will see the indie, run by Alison Owen and Debra Hayward, become more of an integral part of the larger group.
ITV Studios Global Entertainment will continue to distribute Monumental shows.
The company recently produced three series of Hulu’s Harlots and BBC One comedy Ghosts and it is in “advanced development” on several other scripted series.
Julian Bellamy, Managing Director ITV Studios and Maxine Gardner, ITV Studios UK Finance Director, join Owen, Hayward and Ruth Berry, Managing Director Itvs Ge, on the board.
Julian Bellamy, Managing Director ITV Studios, said, “Alison and Debra have proven to be a fantastic fit within the ITV family over the last four years. They’re outstanding...
- 7/18/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
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