Universal Music Group


BBC Studios & Universal Music’s Mercury forge development pact

BBC Studios (BBCS) and Mercury Studios, the Universal Music Group (UMG) content studio, have struck a development deal to create programming together. The pact will see the two companies work together to originate a pipeline of music-driven returnable IP for domestic and international audiences. Execs from both parties will work together “to develop ambitious IP, including […]

Universal Music’s Mercury Studios links with Yungblud for song-based drama

Universal Music Group’s Mercury Studios has partnered with UK singer Dominic Richard Harrison (aka Yungblud) on a new scripted show based on one of the musician’s songs. Mars is described as “a frank and funny short film of teenage self-discovery” that has been based on the song of the same name. The short film, which […]

Mercury Studios hires new content & development leads

Universal Music Group’s UK-based Mercury Studios has appointed Steve Condie as SVP of content and Raw Cut exec Frank MacDonald as head of development. Condie is a veteran executive producer and director whose credits include the TV, online and radio format People’s History Of Pop, the dance music series Can You Feel It and the BBC […]

Universal Music launches Mercury Studios, led by BBC Children’s alum Alice Webb

Universal Music Group (UMG) has launched a “multi-faceted content studio” focused on music-based storytelling, which will be led by former BBC Children’s boss Alice Webb. Mercury Studios will develop, produce and invest in “innovative” music-skewing content, while also becoming home to film and TV producer, Eagle Rock Entertainment (ERE), which is to be moved into […]

Vivendi’s mobile SVOD net Studio+ set for US

France’s Vivendi is launching its smartphone-targeted SVOD service Studio+ to the US. The service, which offers customers a slate of 10x10mins high-end original short-form series, will debut Stateside with new music drama All You Need is Me and thriller series Hadame Hollywood. Studio+ is the result of collaboration between Vivendi’s Canal+ and Universal Music divisions, […]

Vivendi units team up with Red Bull production outfit

Vivendi’s production arm Studiocanal and sister company Universal Music Group has formed a co-development partnership with Red Bull-owned Terra Mater Film Studios (The Ivory Game, Mindgamers) as the first step in a global initiative by Vivendi and Red Bull to maximise the value of their combined assets. Projects developed from the deal, which was announced […]

StudioCanal buys Paddington Bear

French TV and film producer and distributor StudioCanal has acquired classic kids property Paddington Bear. The multi-million pound deal also sees French TV and film producer and distributor StudioCanal acquire The Copyrights Group, which handles licensing and merchandising activity for Paddington and other properties. StudioCanal gets all rights to exploit Paddington aside from the publishing. […]

Canal+ boss becomes Dailymotion president

Vivendi has appointed Canal+ chief Maxime Saada to take over the presidency of video-sharing and aggregation site Dailymotion from Cédric Tournay, who is leaving the group. Saada, who is already vice-president of Dailymotion, will combine his new role with his existing position as CEO of Canal+. He will focus on developing further synergies between Dailymotion, […]

Vevo begins CEO search as Caraeff exits

Online music channel operator Vevo is searching for a new CEO following the announcement current incumbent Rio Caraeff is exiting at the end of the year. Vevo’s board of directors has retained a search firm to conduct the hunt for a new chief executive. CFO Alan Price will become acting CEO on January 1, 2015, […]