Bell Media & Fox strike distribution pact to bring ‘global scale’ to Canadian originals

Michael Thorn

Canada’s Bell Media and Fox Entertainment Global have forged a new licensing and distribution pact in a partnership that the companies say will help to support Canadian original productions.

The deal encompasses English-language scripted drama and comedies, unscripted competition, and docuseries. Initial projects are set to be produced in Canada by Neshama Entertainment, which stuck a deal earlier this year to distribute Fox content in Canada.

The titles will head to Bell Media platforms in Canada, including CTV and Crave, which will act as the commissioning broadcaster for all series, and on Fox in the US, with global distribution handled by FOX Entertainment Global.

“This new partnership with Fox Entertainment Global bolsters Bell Media’s commitment to the creation of original Canadian content that resonates both at home and abroad,” said Justin Stockman, VP of content development & Programming, Bell Media.

Michael Thorn, president of scripted programming, Fox Entertainment, added, “The high level of world-class talent in Canada makes this pact even more attractive, and Neshama and Bell shepherding these projects through the country’s proven production community allows Canadian content to have scale both locally and globally.”

Neshama Entertainment is a Canadian production company based in Toronto. It was formed in 2018 by Arnie Zipursky, in partnership with distributor MarVista Entertainment, and is behind titles including The Way Home for Hallmark, which is currently in production on season two.