BBCWW buys into Red Planet unscripted unit

BBC Worldwide has bought a 25% stake in the new unscripted arm of UK indie Red Planet.

The deal gives Worldwide, the commercial arm of UK pubcaster the BBC, exclusive international rights to all of the new unit’s programming for five years.

Red Planet is the drama indie created by veteran UK TV writer Tony Jordan (left).

It announced its move into unscripted in May and poached Channel 5 commissioner Simon Raikes (right, below) to run the new division. He starts in his new role next week and Worldwide has bought into the prodco for an unspecified sum.

Tracy Forsyth, BBC Worldwide’s genre director of factual entertainment and entertainment, said: “Given Red Planet’s incredible track record in scripted with big bold titles that have great heart and resonate with such a broad audience, we were very keen to partner with them when we heard they also harboured a desire to do the same for unscripted.

“We’re also excited to be working with Simon given his particular gift for spotting fact-ent future hits.”

Raikes added: “It is fantastic to have not only the financial support of BBC Worldwide but also access to their expertise in global marketing and international sales. We have big ambitions to produce a range of new non-scripted programming for UK broadcasters and international markets.”

Worldwide already distributes Red Planet drama series including Death in Paradise and the upcoming period drama Dickensian. BBC Worldwide has been investing in a range of indies and start-ups including Mighty Productions, Curve Media, Cosmopolitan Films and King Bert.