Endemol teams up with Jonathan Ross

Production and distribution giant Endemol has inked an exclusive programming deal with Hotsauce TV, the production company owned by controversial and high-profile UK presenter Jonathan Ross.

Endemol said the two will co-create entertainment shows for the UK and international markets.

Endemol UK has cut the development deal with Hotsauce and its distribution arm, Endemol Worldwide Distribution, will handle international sales of the shows resulting from the partnership.

Hotsauce has produced several shows featuring Ross including Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, the popular talkshow that ended earlier this year and Japanorama, a series about modern-day Japan and popular Japanese culture.

Ross, who said he was “beyond excited” about the deal with Endemol is a controversial figure in the UK where his multimillion pound deal with the BBC was at the centre of a debate on how much the UK public broadcaster should be paying talent.

Tim Hincks, Endemol UK CEO said: “Jonathan is not merely the UK’s most famous and successful talk show host, he is also brimming with TV ideas and I’m delighted we’re going to be working together to create new hits.”