US-based AMC Networks has invested in Canadian prodco Shaftesbury, in what has been described as a “strategic partnership” with the Murdoch Mysteries firm. Financial details have not been revealed but the deal will give AMC Networks access to Shaftesbury’s slate and allow it to expand its content and development capabilities in Canada. In return, AMC says that […]
UKTV’s Alibi, TV4 in Sweden, TV2 in Denmark and Forta in Spain have picked up the English-language version of cop drama Hudson & Rex. The police series is produced by Shaftesbury and Pope Productions, in association with Canada’s CityTV and Beta Film, which distributes globally. It is the first English-language adaptation of the European scripted […]
A frenzied period of consolidation is beginning to leave an indelible mark on the distribution business as more projects and producers find themselves caught in the crosshairs of mergers. Mega-deals such as Comcast’s acquisition of Sky, the impending Banijay-Endemol merger and a Red Arrow sale on the horizon are changing the face of the distribution […]
Shaftesbury grows kids and family portfolio with McCann appointment Canada’s Shaftesbury has hired veteran producer Jennifer McCann for the newly created role of executive producer for kids and family. Reporting into Shaftesbury CEO Christina Jennings, McCann will lead the company’s kids and family entertainment division, overseeing original series as well as the recently launched Shaftesbury […]
Frankie Drake Mysteries producer Shaftesbury has appointed Lesley Grant as creative producer. She will be responsible for expanding the business’s creative slate, reporting into Julie Lacey, VP of creative development. Grant began her career as an editor at Random House Canada until 1999, when she joined CTV as a drama development exec. She has held similar […]
Shaftesbury is to expand its UK team with new hire Alexandra Finlay, who was formerly head of acquisitions and co-productions at UKTV. Finlay will join Shaftesbury as senior director, creative and co-productions – a newly created role. She will be based in London and report directly to Christina Jennings, chairman and CEO of Shaftesbury. At […]
Canadian channel Global has commissioned an original six-part event series, Departure, co-produced by Canada’s Shaftesbury and the UK’s Greenpoint Productions. The drama is directed by Orphan Black’s T.J.Scott with Malcolm MacRury joining as showrunner, and was originally created by Vincent Shiao. It follows the shocking disappearance of Flight 716, a passenger plane that vanishes over the […]
UK digital terrestrial channel Pick has acquired US-Canadian horror drama Slasher from London-based distributor Content Television. The eight-part show will make its UK debut on Tuesday, May 10 in a 10pm slot. Canadian indie produced Slasher for compatriot Super Channel and US thematic network Chiller. The anthology series follows a women who moves back to […]
Canadian kids channel Teletoon has come onboard Squish, the new 52x11mins animated comedy from France’s Cottonwood Media and Toronto’s Shaftesbury. Teletoon has confirmed a development deal for the show, while French channel Gulli, which previously had joined the development, has ramped up its participation to a prebuy. “Cottonwood’s raison d’être is to produce premium content […]
Jay Bennett has been handed a wider remit at Canadian producer-distributor Shaftesbury. Currently head of the company’s digital arm, Smokebomb Entertainment, he will move into a new post as senior VP, creative and innovation. The company-wide post, a new role, will see Bennett (pictured) oversee creative direction and innovation at Shaftesbury, including digital original projects, […]
