Talkback


Talkback hires Tiger Aspect’s Edmunds as programme director

Former Tiger Aspect exec Kate Edmunds has returned to Fremantle UK’s Talkback label as director of programmes. In her new role, Edmunds will oversee comedy and entertainment projects for the label at the British production arm of the global entertainment group. Edmunds was the director of development at Tiger Aspect and previously worked at Talkback […]

TBI’s forward thinkers: Fremantle’s Vasha Wallace

Vasha Wallace, EVP of global acquisitions & development, Fremantle Streamers started dipping their toes into the format business last year, how do you think this will change in 2020? We are going to see the streamers continue to grow and go from being US-based platforms to becoming more local platforms with a focus on local […]

Talkback alums hire Susie Hall for recently minted All3-backed prodco

All3Media-backed Great Scott Media, the recently launched prodco founded by two former senior executives at Fremantle-owned Talkback, has hired Susie Hall to oversee development for the company. Hall will become head of development at Great Scott, which has been launched by Leon Wilson, former managing director of Talkback Thames, and Ed Sleeman, who held the […]

Fremantle’s Lamb lands major BBC post

FremantleMedia’s Suzy Lamb has landed the entertainment and music genre director post at BBC Studios. The role was created earlier this year when director Mark Linsey decided to split the BBC Studios entertainment division in two. Lamb, currently head of entertainment at Fremantle-owned Thames, will lead the entertainment and music unit, putting her in charge […]

Fremantle restructures unscripted division

FremantleMedia is reuniting Talkback and Thames as part of a wider restructure at its UK unscripted division. Comedy entertainment label Talkback and entertainment arm Thames will return to their old, united state as TalkbackThames. They were previously separated in 2011 after RTL Group-owned Fremantle merged them in 2003. The restructure comes days after Thames managing […]

Fremantle UK restructures as C4 exec enters

Richard Holloway will step down from his duties as interim CEO of FremantleMedia UK but remains atop of prodco Thames, with Channel 4 entertainment chief Liam Humphreys (pictured) taking over the unscripted side of the business. Along with his role as managing director of entertainment label Thames, Holloway (below left) has been leading FMUK’s unscripted […]

In the spotlight: Ash Atalla

Ash Atalla has shows lined up for Sky, the BBC, Channel 4 and is looking at US remakes of Roughcut Television’s series. Having redefined comedy by co-creating The Office, Atalla tells TBI about the business, his career and plans TBI: Which executive helped shape your career? AA: One is Clare Pizey, a BBC exec (eds […]

Comedy Central swipes Tinder-inspired format

British pay TV net Comedy Central is reviving former Channel 4 comedy gameshow Your Face or Mine, looking to hook-ups app Tinder for inspiration. Original host Jimmy Carr (pictured) is confirmed as returning for the new show, which will run to 22 half-hour episodes and has FremantleMedia UK-owned Talkback attached as producer. Leon Wilson and […]

Raft of commissions for Channel 4

UK broadcaster Channel 4 unveiled a raft of new programming at its upfront in London yesterday. The pubcaster has a history of breakout comedy and announced the return of Peep Show duo David Mitchell and Robert Webb to its air with sitcom Back. Simon Blackwell (Veep, Peep Show) will pen the 6x30mins series, which follows […]

All3 co-founder joins FremantleMedia UK board

All3Media co-founder David Liddiment has joined FremantleMedia as non-executive chairman of its UK arm. He will sit on the FremantleMedia UK operating board and advise interim CEO Richard Holloway, his management team and the FMUK prodcos ­– Boundless, Euston Films, Newman Street, Retort, Shotglass Media, Talkback and Thames – on UK and international issues. Liddiment, […]