Electus strikes 5×5 format deal

Ben Silverman’s production and distribution company Electus has struck a deal with US producers 5×5 Media that will see it distribute the company’s unscripted TV formats internationally.

The deal will also see 5×5 Media, which was set up by Craig Armstrong, Rick Ringbakk and Tod Mesirow, producers of series including Survivor, Amazing Race, Mythbusters and Monster Garage, partner with Electus to create and coproduce original projects for TV and online.

5x5Media has a diverse slate of formats in development ranging genres including sport, space and travel and is also developing feature films including Mark Steilen comedy Basketcase and horror film The Black Mirror. The company also started trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange last year.

Silverman has struck a number of similar deals with international producers including Israel’s Abbot Reif Hameiri Productions, Jason Bateman and Will Arnett’s DumbDumb and Engine Entertainment.

Electus, which is backed by Barry Diller’s IAC, also operates international distribution arm Electus Distribution, which is a joint venture with Shine International.