Fremantle buys into another indie

FremantleMedia Enterprises has bought a minority stake in Wide-Eyed Entertainment, the UK indie producer set up last year and run by Impossible Pictures exec Jasper James.

A spokeswoman said that FME has taken a 20% stake in Wide-Eyed. FME will distribute all Wide-Eyed shows internationally and the deal also involves a three-year first look development deal between the two parties.

Wide-Eyed CEO Jasper James said: “The partnership with FremantleMedia is all about having a global presence and having the support to realize our inner greatness.”

The indie producer set up shop last year by James, Channel 4 exec producer David McNab and former BBC America exec Parule Basu-Barua. At Impossible Picture, James worked on shows including Primeval and Walking with Dinosaurs. Wide-Eyed will specialize in graphics-based shows.