ITV Studios

Volume of TV prodco M&A doubled in four years – IHS

Mergers and acquisitions in the television production space more than doubled between 2013 and 2017 as companies scramble for IP ownership, according to new research. IHS Markit data found that TV prodco M&A activity increased from 42 international deals in 2013 to 102 deals in 2017. This represents a compound annual growth rate of 19.4%, […]

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 […]

Brent Montgomery leaving ITV America to launch venture

Brent Montgomery is exiting his CEO spot at ITV America to create a new entertainment company. David George will succeed him at ITV’s unscripted US arm, having previously been president. Montgomery has led ITV America as chief executive since 2015, having sold the production group he created, Leftfield Entertainment, to ITV for an initial US$360 […]

Banijay launches scripted outfit Neon Ink

Banijay Group has partnered up with former ITV Studios creative drama execs Kate Lewis and Julia Walsh to launch joint scripted outfit Neon Ink. The prodco becomes the fourth scripted outfit to be added to Banijay’s UK division in the last year. It follows the launch of BlackLight TV, Fearless Minds and Yellow Bird UK […]

Potato gains Powers through Love hire

ITV Studios (ITVS)-owned prodco Potato has hired Love Productions executive producer Sharon Powers. She joins the Ninja Warrior UK producer this week as a creative director, having previously been executive producer at The Great British Bake Off prodco Love. Potato managing director Martin Kelpie said the hire was strategic. “I’ve made no secret of the […]

Twenty Twenty finds replacement for CEO

There’s a new chief at Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP)’s UK prodco Twenty Twenty. Creative director Emma Willis (pictured) has been promoted to managing director to replace Tim Carter, who is moving to become MD of ITV Studios-owned prodco Shiver. At the same time, Hana Canter is promoted to business director, handing her overall […]

Different shades of Red: Nicola Shindler one-on-one

Nicola Shindler is surely the most well known drama producer from Manchester, England, with a credits list including Queer as Folk, Last Tango in Halifax and Happy Valley. She tells Jesse Whittock about finding the perfect story and whether she could produce in the US Think of the most influential producers in the UK in […]

ITV Studios back Piv Bernth drama studio

ITV Studios has bought a minority stake in the new drama production house of former DR drama chiefs Piv Bernth (pictured) and Lars Hermann. The pair announced their exits from DR in October, a move that led to an ongoing restructure at the Danish pubcaster. Their prodco, Apple Tree Productions, will focus on high-end Danish […]

Ex-Warner UK boss starts ITV-backed prodco

Former Warner Bros. Television Production UK (WBTVUKP) co-chief Nick Emmerson has launched a production house with ITV Studios (ITVS). He will lead Koska, in which ITV will have a minority stake, as CEO and focus on returnable non-scripted programming. Emmerson left Warner Bros. earlier this year, a move that followed UK-based production group Shed Media […]

ITV Studios buys majority stake in Gomorrah prodco

ITV Studios (ITVS) has acquired a majority stake in Italian indie producer Cattleya, the company behind hit drama Gomorrah (pictured). Cattleya will retain full creative and production autonomy, while ITVS distribution arm ITV Global Entertainment will distribute TV series from the prodco where rights are available. ITVS parent ITV said that this is the latest […]