US- and UK-based production group Argonon is expanding its indie roster by launching a new factual formats-focused firm, which will be led by former Hat Trick Productions exec Claire Collinson-Jones. Studio Leo will be based out of London and will produce popular factual content for broadcasters, both as standalone projects and collaborations across the group. […]
The UK’s BBC has ordered a third one-hour adaptation based on the Worzel Gummidge novels. Saucy Nancy will debut on BBC One later this year and has been adapted by Mackenzie Crook, with the show inspired by the classic books by Barbara Euphan Todd. Crook will again direct and star as Gummidge, while Argonon Group-owned […]
UK-based Flame Distribution has appointed former Argonon and Endemol exec Lynn Lugsden as SVP of sales and content funding. She will report to Fiona Gilroy, content sales & acquisitions director at Flame and will be based at the company’s London office, starting immediately. Her remit includes working on pre-sales and co-productions in the UK and […]
ITV Studios (ITVS) has struck a deal to distribute BBC scripted series Worzel Gummidge – previously sold by the now defunct Kew Media Group – and Bump, the relationship drama from Australian streamer Stan. Worzel Gummidge was produced by Argonon-owned Leopard Pictures for the BBC and is a modern adaptation of Barbara Euphan Todd’s stories […]
The format of hit singing show The Masked Singer is being tweaked on both sides of the Atlantic as it returns to production, with new viewer involvement and panel changes. The US version, which airs on Fox, will now allow viewers to vote on what they consider to be the best performances. Those watching will […]
Argonon CEO James Burstall has said that delays in launching the UK’s £500m ($650m) insurance production fund were a “tragic missed opportunity” that cost jobs, adding that the UK government has a “lack of belief” in the country’s creative industries. Burstall – whose UK- and US-based group includes Masked Singer producer Bandicoot, factual outfit Windfall […]
BBC Four in the UK and US broadcaster PBS have commissioned a special-access documentary from Windfall Films about the race to save and rebuild the Cathedral of Notre Dame de Paris in France. Rebuilding Notre Dame: Inside The Great Cathedral Rescue (1 x 60-minute), from the Argonon Group-owned Windfall, will air on BBC Four in […]
As part of our focus on delivering more incisive commentary on the global content business, TBI is launching a series of new strands of longer-form content, which will be delivered online to our viewers around the world. These daily, genre-focused features are designed to provide deeper insights into how the business is changing and feature […]
Argonon Group has appointed former Pact exec Amanda Goddard as group director of legal and business affairs. The newly created role has a remit of developing and leading corporate legal strategy across the business – whose portfolio includes Leopard USA, Remedy Productions, Windfall Films, BriteSpark Films and Bandicoot – as well as oversight and support […]
ITV has swooped for Fox’s hit format The Masked Singer, TBI understands. The UK broadcaster is believed to have aggressively outbid Channel 4 for the MBC Korea-distributed singing format, in which celebrities sing in full-body costumes and masks, with top contenders reaching series’ end while keeping their identities hidden. The local production is thought to […]
