Zodiak USA


Bunim-Murray backs ex-Zodiak USA chief’s prodco

Former Zodiak USA boss Joel Karsberg has secured backing from Bunim-Murray Productions (BMP) for his new prodco, Kreativ Inc. Karsberg launched the firm after leaving Banijay Group-owned Zodiak USA, where he was chief creative officer and CEO, and has a pod deal with BMP, another Banijay company. He has also drafted in former Mark Burnett […]

Mansfield’s UK prodco launches LA office

Grant Mansfield’s UK-based producer, Plimsoll Productions, is establishing a base in LA, with ITV format Big Family Mansion made an initial priority. The office, opening this spring, will be based in Santa Monica, with Mansfield and executive VP, international production Andrew Jackson overseeing the move. The move comes as part of a strategy to further […]

Sky buys Znak&Jones stake

BSkyB has acquired its second indie stake, this time investing in a transatlantic indie prodco launched this year by former Zodiak and Talpa Media bosses. Sky has taken an equity stake in Znak&Jones Productions, securing international distribution rights for sales arm Sky Vision in the process. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Former Zodiak […]

Sky buys Znak&Jones stake

BSkyB has acquired its second indie stake, this time investing in a transatlantic indie prodco launched this year by former Zodiak and Talpa Media bosses. Sky has taken an equity stake in Znak&Jones Productions, securing international distribution rights for sales arm Sky Vision in the process. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Former Zodiak […]

Ex-Discovery specials chief joins Mansfield’s Plimsoll

Former Discovery Communications and BBC factual programming boss Andrew Jackson has joined Grant Mansfield’s fledgling production company. Jackson has taken the post of executive VP, international production at Plimsoll Productions, which former Zodiak USA boss Mansfield launched in September last year. Jackson will oversee a plan to take Plimsoll into the US market. This comes […]

Ex-Zodiak USA boss staffs up for new UK indie

Grant Mansfield, the former CEO of Zodiak USA, has launched his own indie and raided the BBC’s Natural History and Features units for factual execs to join him. Mansfield left Zodiak last year saying he would be returning to the UK and has now launched Plimsoll Productions, which will have offices in London and Bristol […]

Russian net gets Shipwrecked, lines up Lyrics

Russian channel NTV has commissioned local versions of Zodiak Media-owned formats Shipwrecked and Don’t forget the Lyrics. Mastiff, the Zodiak Vostok-owned Russian producer, will produce the shows, which are expected to broadcast later this year. Shipwrecked will be a 13x90mins series. The reality competition format features young people living on a seemingly idyllic island and […]

CBS Reality gets into Pawn

Channel operator Chello Zone has picked up nine seasons of Hardcore Pawn for its CBS Reality channel. The observational doc series, which is set in a Detroit pawn shop, will go out on the channel’s EMEA feed, and be seen in Poland, Cyprus, Hungary, Romania, the Middle East and Africa from next month. The series […]