Newen Studios


Newen Studios buys into Rise Films as docs & factual drama push expands

France’s Newen Studios has acquired a majority stake in Rise Films, the UK-based documentary producer behind Icarus and The Invisible War. The London firm was founded in 2006 by Teddy Leifer and has also been behind docs including The Interrupters, Knuckle, Dreamcatcher, We Are Together and The Art of Political Murder, the latter executive produced by George Clooney. Its […]

Netflix & Canal+ back Franco-African women’s animation mentorships

Global streamer Netflix and France’s Canal+ are among a host of companies and organisations to pledge support to Les Femmes s’Animent (LFA)’s Franco-African animation mentoring program, A Woman’s Journey (Parcours de Femmes). Broadcaster France Télévisions, Newen Studios Group, cultural co-operative CITIA, the French Ministry of Culture, Region Réunion, and the French Embassy of Benin have […]

Newen’s iZen launches factual prodco with Tomás Ocaña

iZen, the Spanish subsidiary of Newen Studios, has launched a new factual production company, Capa Spain, in partnership with director, executive producer and investigative journalist Tomás Ocaña. The new firm will focus on developing international documentaries in Spain and throughout the wider Hispanic market, and will operate as a sister company to the Newen’s French […]

Newen Studios promotes Anna Pugacewicz to deputy CEO

TF1 Group-owned Newen Studios has promoted Anna Pugacewicz to become deputy CEO at the French production and distribution outfit. Pugacewicz, who was most recently deputy MD, will now oversee mergers and acquisitions for Newen, adding to her current remit that includes oversight of finance, purchasing and technology. The enlarged role will see her lead the […]

TF1’s Newen names Romain Bessi as CEO, Bibiane Godfroid exits

TF1 Group-owned Newen Studios has named Romain Bessi as its new CEO, with Bibiane Godfroid set to step down. Bessi, who has overseen Newen’s rapid global expansion, will take up the role from 31 January and is being tasked with growing the company both in France and internationally. He will aim “to attract and retain […]

TF1’s international content studio Newen unveils top team

Earlier this week, TF1 secured clearance from the French competition authorities for its acquisition of the remaining 30% of Newen Studios group. And it has lost no time in putting in place a new management structure to run the production and distribution giant. TF1’s first move was to name Bibiane Godfroid, as chair and CEO […]

Reduced costs boost TF1

Reduced costs thanks to be absence of the Euro 2016 football championship helped boost TF1’s second-quarter and first-half performance, together with a small increase in revenues. The French commercial broadcaster posted revenues of €498.9 million (US$580.1 million) for the second quarter, up from €481.9 million, and revenues of €1.037 billion for the first half, up […]

TF1 wants production to aid resurgence

France’s TF1 Group plans to focus on the development of thematic channels rather than rely on the advertising pull of its flagship channel, and to develop its production activity as part of a new strategy aimed at returning the group to growth. The shift in emphasis comes as TF1 saw its operating profit for the […]

Increased costs hit TF1

French broadcaster TF1’s performance for the first nine months of the year has been hit by a series of factors, including increased sports rights costs, the increased cost of drama programming, the acquisition of Newen Studios and the year-on-year impact of offloading Eurosport. The broadcaster posted revenues of €1.427 billion for the first nine months, up […]