The story of History’s new historical miniseries, Texas Rising, which debuts this evening on Memorial Day, according to the key players behind its creation Act 1 The patriotic rallying call Commander William B. Travis delivered in an open letter to his fellow Americans on February 24, 1836 sets the scene for US cable channel History’s biggest […]
A+E launched A+E Studios just over a year ago to deliver premium scripted programming to its A&E, History and Lifetime brands, and now the company is taking that content international, its executive VP, Sean Cohan, tells Stewart Clarke. When History moved into scripted programming, it immediately hit its stride – The Bible, Vikings and Hatfields […]
As the global media superpowers march into ever more sectors, A-list actors, musicians, fashion gurus and novelists are taking control of television projects. Jesse Whittock reports on the rise of the celebrity superproducer. In the past, the glamorous worlds of film, sport, pop music and fashion looked down their noses at TV from behind the […]
US prodco Thinkfactory Media has reorganised its executive team. The producer of Hatfields & McCoys, which was acquired earlier this year by ITV Studios, has upped Joanne Rubino to senior VP, production under the new structure. Adam Freeman has been elevated to creative director and Aaron Fishman named executive producer. All of these execs will […]
Hatfields & McCoys star Kevin Costner has signed a first-look deal with Lionsgate and Thunderbird Films joint venture Sea To Sky Entertainment. Costner’s Treehouse Films will work to develop and produce new scripted television series. The Hollywood star will work in conjunction with Treehouse creative executive Jasa McCall and may direct and/or act in the […]
The follow-up to Mark Burnett produced drama The Bible has been confirmed – but for broadcast net NBC and not cablenet History. A.D.: Beyond the Bible will be a new limited miniseries from prolific producer Burnett, and enlarges his relationship with NBC, which was cemented when he produced its smash hit reality series The Voice. […]
Financial analysts have reacted positively to ITV’s acquisition of US producer Thinkfactory Media. The UK commercial broadcaster bought 65% of the Hatfields & McCoys producer earlier this week and financial specialists at Westhouse Securities lifted its profit forecasts by 2% for the 2013-2015 period and upped its share price target. “Whilst it will not make […]
ITV has acquired a controlling stake in Thinkfactory Media, the US producer that made Hatfield & McCoys, one of the most successful shows ever on US cable TV. The UK broadcaster has paid US$30 million for a 65% stake in Thinkfactory with an option to acquire the remainder in a two-year window that opens three […]
Former BBC Worldwide president of worldwide networks Jana Bennett has re-emerged at A+E Networks, where she will make up part of a new-look team operating under new president and CEO Nancy Dubuc. Bennett, who exited BBCWW last year as part of a major restructure of the BBC’s commercial arm, will become president of the second-tier […]
With US cable series such as Hatfields & McCoys gaining traction with key demographics in the past year, broadcast networks have reacted with new comedies, reboots and spin offs and a shift toward short-run series for the new season. Jesse Whittock looks at how this will affect buyers at the LA Screenings. Laughter, it’s often […]
