Dragon’s Den


Dragons’ Den exec joins Pulse for unscripted

Vice-backed Pulse Films has hired Ceri Aston (right) as head of non scripted. Aston is best known as the executive producer of the UK version of Dragons’ Den, and is credited with revitalising the show on the BBC. As a BBC Entertainment exec, her credits also include Junior Doctors: Your Life in Their Hands and […]

First Southeast Asia deal for Shark Tank

Business format Shark Tank is heading into Southeast Asia for the first time after VTV in Vietnam ordered a local version of the evergreen show. VTV’s 16-episode version of the show rolls out next year and was announced as the ARTF market in Singapore draws to a close. Sony Pictures Television distributes the finished show […]

Pre-market Shark Tank deals for Sony

Sony Pictures Television has struck several pre-MIPCOM deals for one of its evergreen formats, Shark Tank. In Israel, commercial broadcaster Keshet has ordered a local version of Shark Tank (aka Dragon’s Den) and local prodco, and formats specialist Gil will make the show. Canal Sony in Brazil has ordered a local version, Negotiating with Sharks, […]

BBC Studios names Taylor replacement

BBC Studios has appointed the BBC’s controller of rights, legal and business affairs to become genre director of entertainment and events. Roger Leatham will replace Katie Taylor, who left last month as one of a series of changes that have followed Mark Linsey becoming director of the BBC’s new production unit. This puts Leatham in […]

Ex-FremantleMedia exec Tegelaar joins Sony

Jason Tegelaar, formerly of FremantleMedia-owned prodco Blue Circle, has joined Sony Pictures Television in the Netherlands. TBI has learned Tegelaar has joined SPT as a development executive on a six-month contract. He will work closely with SPT’s VP, acquisitions, international production Lisette van Diepen and report to chief creative officer, international production Wayne Garvie. SPT […]

New German deal for Dragons Den

German channel Vox has ordered a second season of the local version of Dragon’s Den, TBI has learned. The first season has just finished on Vox, generating strong numbers for the entertainment channel, which has now greenlit a second series. Sony Pictures Television distributes the Dragon’s Den format and its German production unit makes the […]

New Dragons’ Den remakes in Europe, Africa

Broadcasters in Sweden, Portugal and South Africa are launching their own versions of the Sony-distributed business formats Dragons’ Den. In Sweden, Viasat-owned TV8 has ordered a 10-part run that will be known locally as Draknästet, with ITV Studios Nordic producing. In Portugal, Take & Sound Productions is producing a local run for commercial broadcaster SIC […]

Endemol poaches BBC commissioner

Producer and distributor Endemol has hired Mirella Breda to head up creative operations at its production company Initial. Breda joins from UK pubcaster the BBC where she was most recently executive editor, BBC Entertainment Commissioning, working on entertainment and fact ent formats for BBC One and BBC Two including Masterchef, Dragon’s Den and Initial-produced Total […]

Israeli digital format concept welcomes Irish partner

Armoza Format’s innovative digitally sourced format creation concept TV By the People has welcomed another partner in the shape of Irish production company Screentime Shinawil. Last month, Tel Aviv-based Armoza launched TV By the People, a digital concept that allows members of the public to pool ideas online in order to create a new television […]

Lord Sugar steps down from YouView

IT magnate and The Apprentice star Lord Sugar has stepped down from his role as non-executive chairman at UK connected TV platform YouView. Sugar, founder of pioneering electronics brand Amstrad, will step down from his position at the broadcaster-backed IPTV service over the next few weeks, with a replacement chairman announced in due course. He […]