ITV to double US production

Granada America is looking to double the number of projects in production following the appointment of Paul Buccieri as head of the company’s LA production team.

The US production arm of Britain’s leading commercial broadcaster currently has 14 non scripted projects in production and development as well as a number of scripted series such as 11th Hour, which is being developed for US net CBS in association with Jerry Bruckheimer Productions and Warner Bros.

Buccieri told TBIvision: "British formats have been acceptable for many years. I want to ramp up the level of production, to double our output."

ITV’s local development team has been travelling to the US extensively to meet US buyers and commissioners as part of Dawn Airey’s global programming push. He added that it was also looking at acquisition opportunities in North America.

ITV already owns 51% of US production company Jaffe Braunstein. "We’re looking at acquisitions quite extensively. Thinking as one united production means that we can be stronger and better," he added.