Monkey Kingdom


NBCU closing Tellycopter in unscripted rejig

NBCUniversal is set to close its central development unit Tellycopter as part of a wider rethink of its international unscripted strategy, TBI understands. The news follows the exit of David Mortimer. Tellycopter is NBCUniversal’s centralised creative and development unit, based in London and working across its wider network of entertainment prodcos, which include Chocolate Media, […]

Dutch M&A firm hires Hegedus to launch UK office

A Dutch management consultancy credited as a key player in Warner Bros.’ 2010 acquisition of Shed Media has appointed former Lionsgate and Viasat executive Beata Hegedus to launch a UK office. Consultancy 3 Rivers has unveiled 3Rivers UK, which Hegedus will oversee as associate, content and business strategy. The unit will offer services such as […]

NBCUniversal hires for factual development team

NBCUniversal International Television Production has finalised the shape of the factual development unit that former Fever Media co-founder David Mortimer leads. Jack Burgess, another ex-Fever exec whom TBI revealed had joined NBCU last year, will lead factual entertainment development alongside Ben Riley, who is a former BBC Format Entertainment, MTV and Endemol exec; while heading […]

NBCUniversal buys into Canuck prodco

NBCUniversal International Television Production has acquired a stake in Canadian producer Lark Productions. The move formalises a four-year strategic production partnership NBCUI has had with Lark, which creates the Real Housewives of Vancouver format for Shaw and crime series Motive for CTV. Under terms of the deal, NBCUI becomes a minority shareholder in Lark and […]

E! orders party travel series from Monkey Kingdom

US cable network E! has ordered Party On, a new series looking at A-list holiday hot spots and international party locations. Each instalment of the 8x30mins series will focus on an exclusive resort or city and will soak up the local party scene. It will be hosted by Bold and the Beautiful actress and singer […]

New hire for NBCU’s Monkey

NBCUniversal-owned Monkey Kingdom has recruited a new executive producer, Ollie Brack, from FremantleMedia’s UK prodco Talkback. Brack will work across UK-based producer Monkey’s entertainment and alternative formats for the US and UK markets. NBCU said he will play an instrumental role in creating talent-led shows along the lines of NBCU’s shows with Girls Aloud, Charlotte […]

NBCU hires Fever development boss

The former head of development at UK indie Fever Media has joined his old boss David Mortimer at NBCUniversal International’s television production division. TBI has learned that Jack Burgess has joined NBCUI Television Production. The move reunites him with Mortimer, who in April exited Fever – the company he launched in 2006 with the late Richard […]

Hollywood Studio formats

Plans are underway to make some of the most iconic US shows ever for local broadcasters with international versions of 24, Breaking Bad, ER, Glee and Gossip Girl planned in countries as far afield as Israel and China. Shows including Prison Break, Law & Order and Desperate Housewives have already had the remake treatment and […]