Factual


Banijay buys My Kitchen Rules UK producer

Banijay Group has acquired 7Wonder, the UK-based unscripted producer behind the British remake of My Kitchen Rules. The deal, financial terms of which were not revealed, marks a first non-scripted acquisition for the superindie since Banijay and Zodiak Media Group merged in February 2016. Banijay has made a number of additions to its scripted ranks, […]

Discovery gets US approval for Scripps deal

Discovery Communications’ US$14.6 billion acquisition of fellow US-based cable group Scripps Networks Interactive has been cleared by the US Department of Justice (DoJ). Commenting on the DoJ’s decision to close its investigation, Discovery president and CEO David Zaslav said it was a “significant regulatory milestone” and an “integral step toward closing our transaction”. “We look […]

Ex-Flame, Films of Records execs join Sundog

Former Flame Television managing director Claire Featherstone and Films of Record executive producer Katie Buchanan are joining UK indie Sundog Pictures. Featherstone will take up a COO post in April and Buchanan becomes creative director on March 19. She counts docs such as The Romanians are Coming and Absolutely Fashion: Inside British Vogue on ger […]

A+E launches first int’l digital studio in Singapore

A+E Networks has begun rolling out digital studios outside of the US, under the A+E Digital International initiative, with its first launch in Singapore. The prodco’s full-service, integrated creative and content creation units will specialise in producing original short- and mid-form digital content themed around network brands and those of its partners. In Asia, these […]

Beyond rejigs with Hemperek hired from eOne

Beyond Distribution has hired Entertainment One’s Justina Hemperek as head of acquisitions, with Sarah McCormack taking a new role. Hemperek (pictured) was previously director of acquisitions for the UK, Europe and Australia within eOne’s international distribution team. As of March, she will lead Beyond’s buying team, with interim head McCormack becoming senior VP of acquisitions […]

ITV America rejigs management at Housewives prodco Sirens

Jessica Sebastian-Dayeh has been named president of ITV America unscripted production company Sirens Media, with founders Rebecca Toth Diefenbach and Valerie Haselton taking new posts. Sebastian-Dayeh (pictured) will jointly report to ITV America CEO David George, who replaced Brent Montgomery this January, and ITV America president Adam Sher. Sirens founders Toth Diefenbach and Haselton will […]

Cineflix gets new lease of Life as Paramedics leads deals

Cineflix Rights has hired industry veteran Richard Life as VP of acquisitions. His hire comes as Cineflix Media’s UK-based sales division scored deals for shows such as First Response: Paramedicsand City Porn. Life, the former head of acquisitions and coproductions at ITV Studios Global Entertainment and head of programming at Channel 4 International, is joining as VP […]

David Attenborough to present BBC landmark series Dynasty

The BBC is set to launch its next landmark wildlife series Dynasty, fronted by seasoned broadcaster Sir David Attenborough. Dynasty, which airs later this year, is a BBC Studios natural history unit production for BBC One, co-produced with BBC America and France Télévisions. Each episode follows individual animals – lions, hunting dogs, chimpanzees, tigers, and […]

ITN bags Undateables exec for development role

ITN Productions (ITNP) has appointed The Undateables exec producer Jess Orr (pictured) as an executive producer, working across development and programming. With over 20 years of experience, Orr joins from UK indie Betty, where she produced shows such as Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners and The Food Hospital. Will Smith, head of factual at ITN Productions said: “Jess […]

ITV America ups Adam Sher to president as rejig continues

ITV America CEO David George has appointed Adam Sher (pictured) as the unscripted producer’s new president and upped a range of senior staff, as changes following the exit of Brent Montgomery continue. Sher, who was previously chief creative officer in the business, will now have responsibility for all development, production and operations across the company’s […]

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