Purge producer sets up ITV-backed TV prodco

Jason Blum has set up a new TV studio, Blumhouse Television, with the backing of ITV Studios, the content division of the UK broadcaster.

ITV will hold 45% in the new business and is expected to sell some of its output, although does not have a first-look deal for distribution.

The TV studio is led by recently hired co-presidents, Marci Wiseman, the former Entertainment One and AMC Network exec, and Jeremy Gold, formerly of Endemol Shine.

Blumhouse’s movie division has an ongoing deal with Universal and the producer did have a TV deal with Universal Cable Productions. It is making a TV version of The Purge with UCP.

Its other major upcoming project is Secure and Hold: The Last Days of Roger Ailes, a miniseries for premium cabler Showtime about the eponymous former Fox News chief.

Blumhouse’s movies have grossed billions and include The Purge, Insidious and Paranormal Activity. In TV, Blumhouse Television’s big hit has been HBO true-crime doc The Jinx. It also makes Cold Case Files for A&E and 12 Deadly Days for YouTube Red.

“Over the past few years, we have been working to build Blumhouse Television into an independent studio so we can have the autonomy to work with the best storytellers and give them freedom to create the best dark genre programming,” Jason Blum said.

“We are excited that with the launch of this new studio, we are expanding our partnership with NBCUniversal by growing The Purge franchise into a television series and are grateful for their incredible support of Blumhouse overall.”

ITV Studios said its investment in Blumhouse TV is part of ITV’s strategy to expand its US scripted television studio operations from ITV Studios America and its partnerships with Tomorrow Studios, under the leadership of president Philippe Maigret.

Julian Bellamy, managing director, ITV Studios said: “Jason and his team have an unrivalled reputation in the suspense and thriller genres, delivering hit after hit at the US and international box office.

“They have very quickly established an enviable track record by applying these skills to television and we are delighted to come on board for the next stage of the company’s exciting development. This partnership is another step forward in ITV Studios building a global scripted business of scale.”