News round-up: Phil Gurin launches format firm; C5’s ‘Desperate Measures’ travels; Love Nature unveils ‘Gladiators’

Phil Gurin

Phil Gurin launches format firm

Format veteran Phil Gurin has launched a US-based global distribution company to represent formats from global producers.

TGC Global Entertainment (TGC GE)’s launch slate consists of entertainment, factual and documentary formats, series and specials, selected on the basis of their international appeal.

The slate includes Canada’s Ultimate Challenge, entertainment formats Fridge Wars and The Singing Bee, and Parking Lot Payday, a gameshow from HDNET in the US.

Gurin will lead the LA-based company, which aims to provide direct access and format representation to major US and European broadcast and cable networks.

He will also leverage global relationships to create opportunities for third-party independent producers looking to find a global audience for their IP.

TGC GE will establish a global network of sales agents, with particular focus on Europe, Asia, Eastern Europe/CIS, Latin America and North America.

Desperate Measures

C5’s ‘Desperate Measures’ travels

SBS in Australia, TVNZ in New Zealand, Virgin Media Television Ireland, TV4 in Sweden and MTV3 in Finland have all acquired upcoming UK drama series Desperate Measures.

Produced by Clapperboard for Channel 5 and distributed by Eccho Rights, the series stars Amanda Abbington as Rowan, a diligent, hardworking single mother who turns to a daring heist in an attempt to save her son from a local drug lord.

“Though the lengths to which Rowan goes are quite extraordinary, this is a story of a mother doing whatever it takes to protect her son; a truly universal theme that audiences anywhere can relate to,” said Lucy Roberts, director of sales, Western Europe at Eccho Rights.

Gladiators

Love Nature unveils ‘Gladiators’

Wildlife and nature brand Love Nature has greenlit Gladiators, a new docuseries depicting life-defining battles among the animal kingdom’s greatest rivalries.

Produced by Talesmith, 4 x 60-minute series will follow animal showdowns in different wild “arenas” including the Pacific Northweset, African Savannah, jungle coasts and Australia.

The series is a co-production with Sky and will also air on Sky Nature in the UK, Germany and Italy as part of Love Nature and Sky’s expanded content partnership. Blue Ant International oversees pre-sales and licensing outside of commissioning territories.

“The stunning footage and fascinating effects in Gladiators bring intense battles to life with storytelling that will have audiences rooting for the underdog, while feeling the awe of the champion,” says Carlyn Staudt, general manager, Love Nature.

Syndicado snags Farpoint shows

Distribution firm Syndicado has picked up more than 100 hours of true crime and investigative lifestyle programming from Winnipeg’s Farpoint Distribution Inc. (FDI).

True crime quartet Targeted For Murder, Almost Unsolved, Secrets, Lies & DNA Ties and Finally Caught will be added to the Syndicado slate for the US, UK and other international markets.