Maverick Television


Barcroft hires ex-Maverick, Zinc execs

UK-based Barcroft Productions has added heads of development and production – a move CEO Sam Barcroft says “completes the jigsaw” of its management team. Paul Woolf has been named development chief at the London-based prodco, which is part of the Barcroft Media group. Woolf was most recently director of development at All3Media-owned Maverick Television, where […]

Comedy Central poaches Gleam short-form expert

Pay TV channel Comedy Central UK is to push heavily into short-form video after hiring Claire McArdle from social talent agency Gleam Futures. McArdle will be VP, Comedy Central International Studios, based out of London and reporting to Comedy Central and MTV UK managing director Jill Offman. She will commission digital originals, focusing on identifying […]

Maverick builds development teams in UK, US

All3Media-owned British prodco Maverick Television has appointed a senior VP in the US and a head of development in the UK. In the US, Emily Mayer has joined from Fishbowl World Media to become SVP, development, where she held the same post and produced shows for the likes of WeTV, TLC and Animal Planet. On […]

Red Arrow, TwoFour execs jump to 7 Wonder

Fledgling UK indie 7 Wonder has hired executives from prodcos within the Red Arrow Entertainment and TwoFour Group companies. Jeremy Lee has joined from Red Arrow-owned UK prodco Nerd to become executive producer, while Patrick McMahon comes across from TwoFour-owned Boomerang to become head of development. McMahon indirectly replaces Chris Wilson, who was head of […]

BBC Two taps 7 Wonder for consumer format

UK pubcaster BBC Two has commissioned a multi-strand, family-friendly consumer-focused series from Seven Network venture 7 Wonder. Don’t Buy That, Buy This? (WT) marks the first time 7 Wonder has secured a series with BBC Two. Presenter Cherry Healey will front the 6x30mins show, which will combine “rigorous journalism with a healthy sense of mischief”. […]

Maverick poaches Ricochet exec for CEO post

All3Media-owned Maverick Television has poached the creative director of rival producer Ricochet to become its new CEO. Simon Knight will succeed Jim Mayer, who stepped down from the post at the Embarrassing Bodies prodco after a decade this past spring. His former co-CEO, Alexandra Fraser, quit the business in 2013. Knight has been creative chief […]

All3Media posts profit ahead of takeover

All3Media Holdings, the parent company that houses All3Media and its production companies, posted turnover of £507.6 million and EBITA of £60.5 million for the year to August 31, 2013. This compares with with £473 million and £64.1 million the previous year. All3 said the earnings figure reflected investments in digital producer Little Dot Studios and […]

Seven moves into UK production

Australia’s Seven Network is moving into UK production by setting up a local indie with a trio of former Maverick Television execs. 7Wonder will be based in London and helmed by Alexandra Fraser, Liza Abbott and Simon Ellse, who previously worked at Embarrassing Bodies prodco Maverick. Our success is built on our ability to create […]

Danish kids undergoes localised Operation

DR’s children’s channel DR Ultra has ordered a local version of CBBC medical entertainment series Operation Ouch! and has acquired the original British programme. The Danish pubcaster has commissioned local prodco Koncern TV & Filmproduktion to produce a series for a 2014 debut, following a deal with distributor Serious Lunch, which launched the format at […]

News brief: Alexandra Fraser quits Embarrassing Bodies producer Maverick

Alexandra Fraser, the co-CEO of Maverick, is leaving the UK producer after almost two decades. Maverick is best known as the producer of Embarrassing Bodies and is owned by UK super indie All3Media. Fraser said she will explore new opportunities, while also taking a consultancy role with All3Media. Her co-CEO Jim Sawyer will take full […]