BBC Studios (BBCS) has hired a former ITV Studios and Tinopolis exec to a new LA-based role overseeing unscripted development. Nicholas Oakley becomes SVP of unscripted development at BBCS’s LA Production division, reporting into Ryan O’Dowd, EVP of music & entertainment. His remit includes conceiving and developing original ideas, as well as exploring both US and international formats […]
BBC Studios (BBCS) has named the eight emerging TV writers who have secured a place on its Writers’ Academy course. The scheme, which was expanded earlier this year, provides a 13-week classroom period with scripted veteran John Yorke and guest speakers including the team from Bridgerton outfit Shondaland, Russell T Davies (It’s a Sin), as […]
BBC Studios (BBCS) Productions has hired Vice Media Group’s Kate Ward as MD of its factual operations. Ward, who has been president of Vice’s global studios operation since 2019 and has led Pulse Films since its founders’ exits earlier this year, will oversee all BBCS’s factual production units and partnerships, with responsibility across strategy, pipeline and production […]
FilmNation TV UK has hired BBC Studios (BBCS) exec Martin Rakusen as its new COO, TBI has learned. Rakusen will join creative director Kirstie Macdonald’s team and lead all business, operational and financial activity, working on deal structures and funding plans. He will also oversee distribution strategy and be tasked with expanding partnerships for the production company, which […]
BBC Studios (BBCS)-owned Lookout Point and South Africa’s MultiChoice Studios have partnered on a five-part crime drama set in Cape Town. Devil’s Peak, which has been written and created by Matthew Orton, is based on Deon Meyer’s 2004 bestseller, which is the first in the series of novels centered on Detective Benny Griessel. Multichoice recently worked with Meyer […]
Netflix has commissioned a BBC Studios documentary about the 2001 anthrax attacks on the United States and announced a slate of Indonesian originals. The documentary project from the BBC Studios Science Unit, The Anthrax Attacks, will make its global debut later this week on 8 September. Directed by Dan Krauss (Extremis, The Kill Team) it examines […]
BBC Studios (BBCS) has taken a 25% stake in Mothership Productions, the unscripted indie set up by former Channel 4 exec, Kelly Webb-Lamb. The commercial arm of the UK pubcaster will invest in Mothership’s slate, while acquiring a first-look for global distribution and format rights in return. Webb-Lamb, the former deputy director of programmes and […]
BBC Studios (BBCS) has struck an exclusive TVOD deal with Indian OTT operator BookMyShow Stream, which will hand the company access to hit dramas such as Sherwood and Unforgotten. The programmes, which will also include serial killer series Ragdoll, thriller Smother and The Chelsea Detective, will be housed within a BBC First branded section of the service. The first two seasons of […]
ProSiebenSat.1 Group’s SevenOne Entertainment has picked up remake rights to BBC Studios entertainment format, The 1% Club. The show, originally created by Magnum Media for ITV in the UK, will be produced by BBCS Germany and becomes the fifth remake following deals with France Televisions, Kan in Israel, RTL in the Netherlands and most recently Atresmedia Television […]
Apple TV+, the BBC, Disney and ITV Studios (ITVS) are among a swathe of companies to have signed up to a new commitment aimed at cutting out bullying, harassment and inappropriate behaviour in TV. The statement comes via UK union Equity and brings together 21 major organisations in the TV industry, both in the UK […]
