Shark Tank


MGM buys Real Housewives prodco Evolution

Mark Burnett’s MGM Television and Digital Group has acquired the creator of the Real Housewives franchise, Evolution Media. MGM has been pushing into unscripted programming in a major way since it bought full control of Burnett’s United Artists Media Group at end-2015. Evolution will now operate as an independent producer within the MGM group, with […]

First Southeast Asia deal for Shark Tank

Business format Shark Tank is heading into Southeast Asia for the first time after VTV in Vietnam ordered a local version of the evergreen show. VTV’s 16-episode version of the show rolls out next year and was announced as the ARTF market in Singapore draws to a close. Sony Pictures Television distributes the finished show […]

Pre-market Shark Tank deals for Sony

Sony Pictures Television has struck several pre-MIPCOM deals for one of its evergreen formats, Shark Tank. In Israel, commercial broadcaster Keshet has ordered a local version of Shark Tank (aka Dragon’s Den) and local prodco, and formats specialist Gil will make the show. Canal Sony in Brazil has ordered a local version, Negotiating with Sharks, […]

Sony promotes Kalouria to president post

Sony Pictures Television has promoted Sheraton Kalouria to president and chief marketing officer. He will continue to report to Steve Mosko, who was promoted from president to chairman of SPT in September last year. In this newly expanded role, Kalouria will now oversee consumer products licensing for SPT series and brands as part of the […]

Mexican net, SVOD service co-order Sony format

Mexico’s Canal Sony and Lain American SVOD player Claro Video have co-commissioned the first version of business-cum-reality-entertainment format Shark Tank. Shark Tank Mexico: Negociando con Tiburones will first play on SPT Networks-owned Sony channel, with episodes then made available on American Movil-backed Claro Video. The deal was done with Canal Sony stablemate SPT, which sells […]

Ten resurrects Survivor, orders Long Lost Family

Network Ten has ordered several international formats and finished shows as part of its new season line-up, and renewed a raft of others. The Australian free-to-air broadcaster is resurrecting the classic reality format Survivor for its 2016 line-up. Local versions of the CBS-distributed survival format have run on both of Ten’s commercial rivals – Network Seven […]

Ex-ITV Studios producer joins Ten

Australia’s Network Ten has hired former ITV Studios Australia head of entertainment Hilary Innes. She will take up a currently unspecified position “a senior member of the executive production team,” reporting to chief programming officer Beverley McGarvey, the network revealed in a press release. Innes has worked on the Australian version of formats such as […]

Ten worries eased as Foxtel buys 15% stake

Network Ten’s long search for a new financial investor led to Australian pay TV operator Foxtel acquiring a 15% stake in the Sydney-based broadcaster. Foxtel is investing up to A$77 million (US$59.5 million) in 513.3 million ordinary shares at A$0.15 a share for a stake in the free TV business. An agreement has been mooted […]

ABC revives Muppets, okays Rhimes drama

ABC kicked off the 2015-16 Upfronts week by ordering six dramas and three comedies, including a Muppets revival. The network also renewed 22 primetime series, and cancelled four others. The Muppets show is being billed as an aged-up documentary-style series in which the puppet characters’ lives are explored in detail. The comedy comes from Bill […]

Ten silent on takeover talks

Network Ten’s has declined to provide an update on a potential ownership change, choosing to stay silent at its annual general meeting with shareholders. A deadline for Ten takeover bids expired recently, with the likes of Foxtel and Discovery understood to have posted offers, but Ten’s CEO and chairman Hamish McLennan told shareholders he had […]