Sony and Pinewood strike TV drama deal

Sony Pictures Television and Pinewood Television have inked a six-series deal that will see the jointly develop and produce shows for Sony’s AXN net.

AXN will carry the resulting drama originals on its AXN channel internationally across Asia, Australasia, Europe and Latin America.

The series will be cofinanced by SPT and Pinewood, whose creative director, Helen Gregory, will lead the initiative. She co-created ABC series The Catch and has also made shows for the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky.

Pinewood Television is a joint venture between the UK’s renowned Pinewood Studios and media investment company StoryFirst.

The drama deal was brokered by Marie Jacobson, executive VP, programming and production at Sony Pictures Television Networks, and Peter Gerwe, a director for Pinewood Television.

“As we look for alternative paths to expand original series development, Pinewood TV make for the ideal partners,” Jacobsen said. “We look forward to developing projects that play both in the UK and on our channels around the world.”

Gerwe added:  “We are proud to move forward to bring quality first run programming to the AXN networks.  We are looking forward to bringing our financing capabilities to the market.”

Sony Pictures Television Networks operates branded entertainment channels reaching over one billion households around the world. Sony’s linear and digital networks offer high quality film and television content from Sony Pictures and third-parties, as well as original content.

Pinewood Television has been staffing up since its launch at the start of the year, bringing in SVT drama chief Christian Wilander in August. The new venture has set out to make high end drama, leveraging the respected Studio and studio space from the core Pinewood operation.