People


Viacom International Studios UK taps Richard Hastings to helm non-scripted

Viacom International Studios UK has hired Richard Hastings as head of non-scripted programming. The former MultiStory Media exec is to oversee the development and production of all non-scripted output for Viacom channels and platforms as well as third-party partners. The exec, who will start in February, is to build out a team and work with […]

Canada’s Channel Zero opens scripted studio division

Canadian channel operator Channel Zero is launching a scripted studio division headed up by Jennifer Chen. Building on the company’s partnership with GroupM content arm Motion Content Group, Channel Zero Studios will collaborate with domestic and international partners to create global-facing programmes, with its first project expected to go into production in Q1 2020. Chen, […]

Former BBC exec Sohail Shah targets northern talent with new prodco

Former BBC entertainment commissioner Sohail Shah has set up a Manchester-based prodco that will target broadcasters and streamers while championing new talent from the northwest.  King Of Sunshine Productions, which will eventually be based out of MediaCity in Salford, is to focus on fact ent, formats, access docs and children’s programming. The exec tells TBI […]

Sheffield Doc/Fest rounds out creative team for 2020

Sheffield Doc/Fest has rounded out its programming team with the appointment of Vancouver International Film Festival programmer Adam Cook and a promotion for Alternate Realities veteran Joe Cutts.  The festival, which hired former DocLisboa director Cíntia Gil to head up the UK-based factual event over the summer, has hired Cook as senior programmer for the […]

‘War Of The Worlds’ exec producer Jamie Brown launches drama prodco

War Of The Worlds exec producer Jamie Brown has launched a global-facing drama prodco. The new outfit, Grand River Productions, is focused on development and will cater to both film and TV markets, with talent packaging, financing and distribution capabilities in place. The Canadian-born producer most recently served as an EP on Mammoth Screen’s historical […]

All3Media America appoints Kelsey Boxser as chief people officer

All3Media America has appointed Kelsey Boxser as chief people officer – a role that will see her lead people-first corporate culture initiatives for independent production. Boxser, who is to report into CEO Tim Pastore, will oversee professional development and recruiting programmes that champion diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. She will also implement additional best practices […]

Epix unscripted boss Rachel Brill joins Bleacher Report’s B/R Studio

Epix unscripted boss Rachel Brill is leaving the MGM-owned cable channel to take up a new role at WarnerMedia’s Bleacher Report. The exec is to head up the sports brand’s production hub B/R Studio at SVP and GM. Her new remit includes striking partnerships with creative talent for sports-focused projects targeting millennial and Gen Z […]

Dramacorp-Pampas set sights on major Nordic-German period drama with ‘Great Century’ adaptation

Swedish outfit Dramacorp-Pampas Studios has secured the rights to Jan Guillou’s The Great Century novels with an eye on developing a major Nordic-German period drama. The project marks the Stockholm-based producer’s second undertaking with Guillou, following Agent Hamilton, which enjoyed its world premiere at last month’s MIPCOM market and has been picked up across the […]

Exclusive: Fremantle involvement on ‘World’s Got Talent’ in question amid China restructure

Fremantle’s future involvement in Chinese adaptations of its blockbuster Got Talent franchise remains unclear as the super-indie restructures its operations out of the country. TBI understands that the business is currently in discussions around its continued involvement on Hunan TV’s World’s Got Talent and Dragon TV’s China’s Got Talent, which are now in question following Fremantle’s decision to exit […]

Lion TV USA hires Part2’s Rebecca Bregman as executive-in-charge

Lion Television USA has appointed Part2 Pictures exec Rebecca Bregman as executive-in-charge. Bregman, who most recently served as head of production for This Is Life With Lisa Ling producer Part2 Pictures, will build and manage production teams and Lion’s overall production needs. She joins the current programming team, led by Allison Corn, to help oversee […]