Range Studios hires Fremantle UK’s former CEO Simon Andreae

Simon Andreae

Fremantle UK’s former CEO Simon Andreae has joined Range Studios to run the unscripted production unit alongside founder Mark Herwick.

Range was founded in 2021 and is part of Peter Micelli’s Range Media Partners, with the unscripted arm now to be led by Herwick and Andreae, who are both co-presidents.

Andreae stepped down as chief of Fremantle’s UK division 12 months ago after three years in the role.

The RTL Group-owned company appointed Andreae as CEO in 2020 after it fully acquired his production company, Naked Television. He replaced Liam Humphreys.

Andreae had overseen all output from Fremantle’s UK labels – Thames, Talkback, Boundless, Euston Films, Hare & Tortoise, Castlefield and his own prodco, Naked. He also had a seat on Fremantle’s global operating board.

Prior to Naked, Andreae was EVP of alternative entertainment at Fox in Los Angeles, in charge of all unscripted programming, and previously SVP of development and production at Discovery Channel.

He’s also a former commissioning editor at Channel 4 and was a founding partner at Optomen Television.