BBC


Vice Studio’s docs chief Alex Moore exits to join UK prodco Dragonfly

Vice Studio’s global head of documentaries, Alex Moore, has left the embattled company to join UK-based producer Dragonfly. Moore becomes EVP of documentaries & unscripted at the Banijay-owned firm, taking up the newly created role to develop a slate targeting US and international streamer commissions. The appointment comes five months after Dragonfly’s former head of […]

UK’s BBC hires Channel 4 commissioner Cal Turner & promotes RDF alum Jasmyn McGuile

The BBC has hired Channel 4 exec Cal Turner as a commissioning editor across its factual output, while RDF West alum Jasmyn McGuile has also been promoted. Turner worked on fact ent shows including Snowflake Mountain, Grand Designs and Undercover Boss for Channel 4, which she joined in 2022. The broadcaster has since all but […]

UK’s BBC, ITV, C4 & C5 streamer Freely sets Q2 launch

Freely, the upcoming free TV service from Everyone TV, the organisation jointly owned by UK broadcasters BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, has been confirmed for a Q2 2024 launch. Announced in September 2023, Freely will allow viewers to watch live TV over broadband, which Everyone TV said will “will futureproof live TV for […]

BBC unveils almost 60 prodcos set to benefit from Small Indie Fund

Almost 60 production companies with turnovers below £10m ($12.5m) are to receive support via the BBC’s Small Indie Fund. The scheme, which launched in 2020 and has previously supported companies including Dreaming Whilst Black firm Big Deal Films, aims to support the growth of small independent production companies from across the UK. Prodcos can work […]

Greg Daniels opening development room to explore ‘The Office’ spin-off

Greg Daniels, the US writer and producer who adapted UK comedy The Office into a hit NBC mockumentary sitcom, is opening a development room this week to explore the potential for a spin-off show. Daniels helmed the comedy series, which ran for nine seasons between 2005 and 2013 and is now considered one of the […]

Xumo & European pubcasters ink pre-sales for ‘Silverback’ documentary

US streamer Xumo and European pubcasters ORF in Austria, UR in Sweden and YLE in Finalnd have inked pre-sale deals for Off The Fence documentary Silverback. The 1 x 90-minute title was produced by OTF Studios in association with the BBC, France Télévisions, Featuristic Films and The WNET Group. The film will debut on the […]

BBC warns of further cuts as new licence fee leaves $113m shortfall

The BBC has confirmed it will have to make further budget cuts following the UK government’s decision to increase the licence fee that funds it by less than had been expected. As reported yesterday, culture secretary Lucy Frazer announced that the licence fee would be increased from £159 to £169.50, a rise of £10.50 and […]

BBC acquires Masterpiece period drama ‘Miss Austen’

UK pubcaster the BBC has acquired Miss Austen, an adaptation of Gill Hornby’s novel, which being produced by Bonnie Productions for Masterpiece in the US. Federation Studios is distributing the 4 x 50-minute series, from writer Andrea Gibb (Elizabeth Is Missing, Mayflies), which started filming in the UK last month and is directed by Aisling […]