Sony confirms Karl Warner prodco deal

Sony Pictures Television is backing a new production company headed by ex-BBC executive Karl Warner.

Warner’s new prodco will be called Electric Ray and be based in London. It will specialise in factual and fact-ent series and sit alongside Sony’s other UK production interests Victory, Gogglebox Entertainment and Silver River.

Sony said the new company will also work with SPT’s US and international production companies on development. Its original formats will be distributed internationally by SPT’s distribution arm.

Sony has been linked with Warner since his exit from the UK pubcaster last July. During his time at the BBC, where he was the Corporation’s youngest-ever commissioning editor, Warner greenlit and produced shows including Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, John Bishop’s Britain and Reflex, the recently-launched BBC1 gameshow, which was created by Adam Adler and Objective Productions.

Warner said: “There is an appetite for shows that break new ground and I want us to be part of that. Whether in standout fact-ent events or prime-time family entertainment shows, I want creativity and innovation to be at the heart of everything we do.”

He added: “It’s very exciting to be in partnership with SPT. Their backing means we can be a proper company from day one, both in the UK and internationally, and it means we’ll be able to bring broadcasters quality ideas from the off.”

Wayne Garvie, SPT chief creative officer for international production, said: “Karl is one of the brightest, most highly thought of entertainment minds in British television.”