‘MILF Manor’ firm Spun Gold restructures under 53 Degrees Global, launches Kerene Barefield firm

Kerene Barefield (Source: Spun Gold TV)

MILF Manor prodco Spun Gold is restructuring its operations with the creation of 53 Degrees Global, which will house the production firm as well as Penny Lane Entertainment and newly formed Love Monday.

53 Degrees Global is being led by Spun Gold’s Nick Bullen, who becomes chairman, and will also be home to post-production company Wise Wolf and Love Monday, which is being launched by creative director Kerene Barefield.

Barefield, who was previously head of development for Spun Gold, will focus on producing factual entertainment, specialist factual and digital content via Love Monday, with its first commission secured from Sky Arts for Battle Of The Bagpipes.

The show will reveal the fiercely competitive audition process for the Lone Piper at the Royal Military Tattoo and follows new recruits taking part in their first competition to be selected for a once-in-a-lifetime piping opportunity at the King’s Coronation.

Love Monday is also set to produce future seasons of Sky Arts’ Master Crafters: The Next Generation, now in its second season, and bi-monthly talk show The Royal Beat for streamer True Royalty TV.

Bullen said the creation of 53 Degrees Global “will provide us with the structure and agility to open up new revenue streams including digital opportunities and corporate work for high profile international clients, alongside building on the successful operations of our existing brands Spun Gold TV, Penny Lane and Wise Wolf.”

Bullen added that further label launches under the 53 Degrees Global umbrella are being explored.

Barefield, who has also had stints at Shine TV and BBC Studios, added: “After 20 years in the television industry, the opportunity and challenge of running my own production label feels like a timely next step.

“The difficulties of the current climate mean we all rely on creativity more than ever, and with this in mind I am excited to begin building Love Monday around strong ideas that resonate with viewers across a full spectrum of platforms.”

Spun Gold, which marks its 20th anniversary in 2024, is run with MD Daniela Neumann and has been behind shows including The Real Full Monty, MILF Manor and Garden Rescue.

Penny Lane, led by Lee Connolly, will continue to work across entertainment and studio activities, including producing the BAFTA Film and TV Awards and ITV’s Love Your Weekend. Wise Wolf, managed by Julia Obara, provides the group with the majority of its post-production requirements.