Warner Bros. merges UK prodcos

Warner Bros. has merged its UK prodco Watershed TV with its larger counterpart Twenty Twenty.

Under the new structure, Watershed will retain its branding but operate within Twenty Twenty. Both are part of Warner Bros. Television Production UK.

Mark Rubens will continue as managing director of Watershed and will join the senior creative team at Twenty Twenty.

“Mark is super-smart and I’ve always admired the journalistic ballsiness that underpins his formats. Add a bit of Twenty Twenty’s wit and warmth and you’ve got a formidable mix. It’s a great fit,” said Twenty Twenty CEO, Tim Carter.

Warner Bros. said the merger is a key part of Twenty Twenty’s growth strategy and “will create a bigger company with continued emphasis in formats, documentaries, features and children’s programming, whilst strengthening its journalistic credentials”.

Mark Rubens said: “It makes perfect sense to join together and produce the next generation of must watch television.”

Twenty Twenty counts The Choir and First Dates (pictured) among its recent credits. Watershed has made a series of investigative docs featuring Stacey Dooley.