Pawn Stars


Leftfield names new co-presidents

A pair of Leftfield Pictures producers has been upped to co-presidents at the ITV America (ITVA)-owned company. Gretchen Palek (right) and Shawn Witt (below left) have been handed the roles, and will report to ITVA president David George, the former CEO of Leftfield Entertainment. Palek was previously senior VP of talent and casting at Alone […]

A+E starts Blaze on UK Freeview

A+E Networks’ latest channel brand, Blaze, launches in the UK and Ireland next month. The network is planned as A+E’s first global free-to-air channel, but will debut in the UK and Ireland on September 20. It will be carried on the Freeview platform, with Sky Media handling ad sales. It will simultaneously launch as a […]

Hulu Japan takes A+E content SVOD rights

Japanese subscription on-demand service Hulu is bringing an “extensive” catalogue of programming from A+E Networks to its platform. A+E has closed a deal with Hulu’s parent, HJ Holdings, that will see History Channel shows such as Pawn Stars and Counting Cars offered through an exclusive section of Hulu Japan. This will also includes shows from […]

A+E make History OTT move in Asia

A+E Networks is launching a History Plus branded OTT service in Asia. It will roll out on the 4ME OTT platform, the free service that was launched by Filipino broadcaster TV5 and Singapore-based channel operator Brand New Media (BNM) earlier this year. A+E Networks Asia has now teamed with BNM and will make a range […]

Ob doc formats dissected

The observational documentary – or docu-soap – has brought big characters and weird and wonderful occupations to screens around the world. But how formattable are these shows – and is the genre on the wane? New research conducted by Eurodata TV for TBI helps to dissect the ob-doc genre Observational docs have provided broadcasters around […]

A+E ups Rachel Job at History

A+E Networks UK has promoted Rachel Job to director of programming for cable net History, TBI has learned. Job was previously head of acquisitions and commissions for A+E Networks UK. In her new role she will oversee all commissioning and acquisitions for History and its sister net H2 (formerly Military History) across the A+E Networks […]

New format deals for Pawn Stars

There will be local versions of hit reality format Pawn Stars after the A&E and History channels in Australia and South Africa commissioned series. History UK has also ordered a second season of its local version of the show, which follows larger than life characters working in the pawn shop business. The show was created […]

George named Leftfield Pictures president

US unscripted specialist Leftfield Entertainment has promoted David George to become president of its subsidiary Leftfield Pictures. In the new role, George will oversee Leftfield Pictures’ development, programming and production, and work with stablemates Loud Pictures and Outpost Entertainment. The executive joined Leftfield in 2010, and has since executive produced shows such as History’s Pawn […]

ITV Studios buys Leftfield for $360m

ITV Studios has made its largest acquisition in the US unscripted market to date by acquiring an 80% stake in Pawn Stars producer Leftfield Entertainment. The deal comprises an initial cash payment of US$360 million, with further payments possible depending on what ITVS defined as “Leftfield’s continued delivery of significant profit growth”. ITVS will have […]

Ob docs: obsolete or of the moment?

Rumblings that the ob doc trend is stifling creativity on both sides of the Atlantic have divided the factual programming industry. Is the genre coming to the end of its cycle, or is it simply evolving, asks Jesse Whittock The commissions of History’s Pawn Stars and American Pickers in 2009 and 2010 respectively ushered in […]