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Tag: FremantleMedia

  • FremantleMedia inks exclusive deal with former Endemol Shine execs

    FremantleMedia inks exclusive deal with former Endemol Shine execs

    MUMBAI: A new partnership between the top creatives behind the MasterChef phenomenon and production giant FremantleMedia has been unveiled.

     

    Eureka Productions, the newly formed production company from unscripted specialist producers Chris Culvenor and Paul Franklin, has formed an exclusive partnership with FremantleMedia.

     

    Culvenor and Franklin were most recently Endemol Shine SVP of development and EVP of programming respectively.

     

    The duo has worked together for a decade, including stints at FremantleMedia Australia, and are the creative force behind a vast array of unscripted hits in both the US and Australia. They’ve developed, adapted and produced franchises such as MasterChef, MasterChef Junior, The Biggest Loser, The Voice, Fake Off, The Apprentice, Restaurant Startup, The Face, Project Runway and Minute to Win It.

     

    Eureka opened its Los Angeles office in January and has three projects underway with top tier cable networks. Culvenor and Franklin will be opening their Sydney office in March and appointments to their creative team in both countries will be announced in coming months.

     

    The company will work with FremantleMedia to develop and produce projects that can be optimised through the super-indie’s international network of creatives, producers and sales teams.

     

    Culvenor said, “Paul and I are thrilled to be partnering with the global powerhouse FremantleMedia who have the best creative network in the business.”

     

    Franklin added, “At Eureka, we’re very excited to bring together the talented creative community that we have collaborated with over the last decade to create series that captivate and surprise audiences.”

     

    FremantleMedia director of global entertainment Rob Clark said, “Chris and Paul are two of the industry’s most highly regarded creatives. Their track records in production, development and sales complement our businesses in the US and Australia and we’re looking forward to creating and sharing ideas across our international network.”

  • FremantleMedia inks exclusive deal with former Endemol Shine execs

    FremantleMedia inks exclusive deal with former Endemol Shine execs

    MUMBAI: A new partnership between the top creatives behind the MasterChef phenomenon and production giant FremantleMedia has been unveiled.

     

    Eureka Productions, the newly formed production company from unscripted specialist producers Chris Culvenor and Paul Franklin, has formed an exclusive partnership with FremantleMedia.

     

    Culvenor and Franklin were most recently Endemol Shine SVP of development and EVP of programming respectively.

     

    The duo has worked together for a decade, including stints at FremantleMedia Australia, and are the creative force behind a vast array of unscripted hits in both the US and Australia. They’ve developed, adapted and produced franchises such as MasterChef, MasterChef Junior, The Biggest Loser, The Voice, Fake Off, The Apprentice, Restaurant Startup, The Face, Project Runway and Minute to Win It.

     

    Eureka opened its Los Angeles office in January and has three projects underway with top tier cable networks. Culvenor and Franklin will be opening their Sydney office in March and appointments to their creative team in both countries will be announced in coming months.

     

    The company will work with FremantleMedia to develop and produce projects that can be optimised through the super-indie’s international network of creatives, producers and sales teams.

     

    Culvenor said, “Paul and I are thrilled to be partnering with the global powerhouse FremantleMedia who have the best creative network in the business.”

     

    Franklin added, “At Eureka, we’re very excited to bring together the talented creative community that we have collaborated with over the last decade to create series that captivate and surprise audiences.”

     

    FremantleMedia director of global entertainment Rob Clark said, “Chris and Paul are two of the industry’s most highly regarded creatives. Their track records in production, development and sales complement our businesses in the US and Australia and we’re looking forward to creating and sharing ideas across our international network.”

  • FremantleMedia & Telefe to co-develop entertainment formats for Latin America

    FremantleMedia & Telefe to co-develop entertainment formats for Latin America

    MUMBAI: In a bid to grow its business in emerging markets, including Latin America, FremantleMedia has inked a two year co-development partnership with Argentina’s television network, Telefe to create and develop entertainment/non-scripted formats for the Argentinian and wider-Latin American market.

     

    Based in Buenos Aires, the development team will comprise staff from both companies, with Telefe drawing on FremantleMedia’s creative strength to co-develop original entertainment IP. Telefe will have exclusive rights on all new shows to broadcast on its Argentinian network in Argentina and across Latin America, reaching millions of viewers. FremantleMedia has worldwide rights to the shows created through the deal, which will be sold through its international distribution network, FMI and its global network of production companies.

     

    FremantleMedia Latin America CEO Adrián Santucho said, “Today’s agreement is an important and exciting step forward in FremantleMedia’s plans to grow its business in Latin America as we develop and produce shows for the Argentinian market. As the country’s most popular television network, we couldn’t have asked for a better partner. We’re really looking forward to working with Tomás and his team over the next two years to create shows that will appeal to audiences in Argentina and around the world.”

     

    Telefe head of entertainment Tomás Yankelevich added, “FremantleMedia is a world-renowned producer of entertainment shows, loved by audiences all over the globe. We embark on this exciting challenge with great enthusiasm. Telefe has been producing entertainment shows with vast success for decades in Argentina. Now, with the expansion of our content development team, and working together with Fremantle, we know it is a big step forward to generate new formats, not only for our screen but also for the rest of the world.”

     

    The deal with Telefe is the latest of a number of creative partnerships undertaken by FremantleMedia recently in order to co-develop new formats. In April 2015, the company set up a joint venture with Shanghai Media Group’s BesTV and China Media Capital to create formats for China, and announced in September that it was teaming up with newly-formed Danish production company, Skylark, to develop entertainment formats via a creative hub, based in Copenhagen.

  • FremantleMedia & Telefe to co-develop entertainment formats for Latin America

    FremantleMedia & Telefe to co-develop entertainment formats for Latin America

    MUMBAI: In a bid to grow its business in emerging markets, including Latin America, FremantleMedia has inked a two year co-development partnership with Argentina’s television network, Telefe to create and develop entertainment/non-scripted formats for the Argentinian and wider-Latin American market.

     

    Based in Buenos Aires, the development team will comprise staff from both companies, with Telefe drawing on FremantleMedia’s creative strength to co-develop original entertainment IP. Telefe will have exclusive rights on all new shows to broadcast on its Argentinian network in Argentina and across Latin America, reaching millions of viewers. FremantleMedia has worldwide rights to the shows created through the deal, which will be sold through its international distribution network, FMI and its global network of production companies.

     

    FremantleMedia Latin America CEO Adrián Santucho said, “Today’s agreement is an important and exciting step forward in FremantleMedia’s plans to grow its business in Latin America as we develop and produce shows for the Argentinian market. As the country’s most popular television network, we couldn’t have asked for a better partner. We’re really looking forward to working with Tomás and his team over the next two years to create shows that will appeal to audiences in Argentina and around the world.”

     

    Telefe head of entertainment Tomás Yankelevich added, “FremantleMedia is a world-renowned producer of entertainment shows, loved by audiences all over the globe. We embark on this exciting challenge with great enthusiasm. Telefe has been producing entertainment shows with vast success for decades in Argentina. Now, with the expansion of our content development team, and working together with Fremantle, we know it is a big step forward to generate new formats, not only for our screen but also for the rest of the world.”

     

    The deal with Telefe is the latest of a number of creative partnerships undertaken by FremantleMedia recently in order to co-develop new formats. In April 2015, the company set up a joint venture with Shanghai Media Group’s BesTV and China Media Capital to create formats for China, and announced in September that it was teaming up with newly-formed Danish production company, Skylark, to develop entertainment formats via a creative hub, based in Copenhagen.

  • Fremantlemedia & Syco partner SKAI TV for ‘The X Factor’

    Fremantlemedia & Syco partner SKAI TV for ‘The X Factor’

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International (FMI), Syco Entertainment and SKAI TV have joined hands to bring a new local version of the global hit entertainment format The X Factor. The local version of the format will mark the start of the channel’s brand new entertainment strand and is due to launch in spring 2016.

     

    The deal brings the total number of global commissions for this British born format to an incredible 51 territories worldwide.

     

    Talking about the new strategy, Fremantlemedia International SVP Middle East, Africa & South Eastern Europe Anahita Kheder said, “We are looking forward to collaborating with SKAI on their new push into entertainment, and even more thrilled that they chose The X Factor as one of the pivotal brands to launch this new direction of programming. The X Factor continues to inspire and entertain viewers the world over. It has proved to be a great launch pad for some of the biggest global sensations and with this new version in Greece; we are excited about adding another superstar to that list.”

     

    SKAI program director Alkistis Maragoudaki added, “SKAI is overjoyed to welcoming the ultimate global music talent show: The X Factor. Created by the leaders of entertainment, SYCO and FremantleMedia,The X Factor is one of the most favoured music television events around the globe and has paved the road for the future talents today thus rendering the show a trendsetter that promises and delivers. Our aim is to embrace this project with our high quality standards, and thus to consolidate our strategy towards the realm of entertainment.”

     

    Syco Entertainment head of international George Levendis said, “I am thrilled to see The X Factor back on Greek & Cypriot television in its new home on Skai TV. There are some exciting format developments that will ensure The X Factor is fresh and innovative to the Greek audience. The X Factor in Greece has always delivered talented, vibrant and wonderfully fun contestants. This new season on Skai TV will be no different. And, personally speaking, The X Factor has been a big part of my life for the last eight years – so seeing it back in my country is fantastic.”

  • Justin Gorman & Fremantlemedia launch Man Alive Entertainment

    Justin Gorman & Fremantlemedia launch Man Alive Entertainment

    MUMBAI: Justin Gorman, former head of entertainment at Channel 4, has launched an independent television production company, Man Alive Entertainment.

     

    Following an investment in the new company, FremantleMedia holds a 25 per cent stake in Man Alive Entertainment, with the option to increase its share in the future.

     

    Man Alive Entertainment will develop and produce large scale entertainment and factual entertainment programming as well as reality, game show and quiz formats. Gorman has more than 20 years’ experience in creating, commissioning and producing series including the revamped TFI Friday, The Million Pound Drop Live, Alan Carr Chatty Man, Derren Brown and The Cube.

     

    Prior to Channel 4 he was executive producer at Objective Productions (All3Media) and Princess Productions (Endemol Shine Group).

     

    Gorman, who becomes creative director and CEO of Man Alive, said, “It’s very exciting to be launching Man Alive Entertainment. We are a small but very experienced indie, with a great track record in creating award-winning entertainment formats and multi-screen content. I’m delighted to have the backing of FremantleMedia – its creative network is unrivalled and I look forward to creating some outstanding television content for the UK and the world.”

     

    FremantleMedia director of global entertainment Rob Clark added, “Justin is one of the most respected execs in television, he has creative flair, great relationships with talent and broadcasters, and he’s been a part of some of the biggest shows in the industry. We’re looking forward to making some great shows and being part of the company’s growth.”

     

    Hannah Dodson joins Gorman as head of development; Dodson was previously part of Gorman’s team at Channel 4 and executive produced The Mash Up, Stand Up To Cancer and The Secret Policeman’s Ball.

     

    This news comes on the back of FremantleMedia’s investment in UK factual indie Full Fat TV announced last month, and follows a slate of deals that add to its creative network around the world including Naked Entertainment and Corona Pictures in the UK; No Pictures Please in the Netherlands; Fontaram and Kwai in France; and Wildside in Italy.

  • FremantleMedia International names Caroline Kusser as SVP

    FremantleMedia International names Caroline Kusser as SVP

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International (FMI) has named Caroline Kusser as SVP – sales and distribution of its US arm.

     

    The newly created position will be based in LA and report to the SEVP of television & digital distribution for North America, Lisa Honig.

     

    Kusser will be tasked with further building FMI’s reputation in the region and maximizing opportunities for its 22,000 hours’ worth of content across linear, digital and home entertainment platforms in the highly competitive US market.

     

    Honig said, “Caroline’s vast experience, pivotal drama distribution knowledge and exceptional relationships in the US will play an important part in FMI’s US expansion strategy and push into high-end drama. With teams in both New York and LA, a well-established history of sales across multiple genres and long-standing client relationships, we’re in a good position to take our business up to the next level and Caroline’s understanding of this key market will help us to achieve further success.”

     

    Kusser added, “It’s a really exciting time for FMI. I’m looking forward to joining its US team and helping to further enhance its reputation across the region.”

     

    Previous to joining FMI, Kusser set up Carokusser, a TV content distribution service whose clients included ZDF Enterprises. Kusser was also part of the Red Arrow International team for ten years and in 2011 was relocated to LA as the SVP of North America where she was responsible for establishing and building the group’s US business. Prior to Red Arrow International, Kusser held roles at Bavaria Media Television, peppermint and Beta Film.

  • Great success for FremantleMedia at Asian Television Awards

    Great success for FremantleMedia at Asian Television Awards

    SINGAPORE: Congratulations to FremantleMedia (FM) Asia and FremantleMedia India, which have each won an award in the highly prestigious 2015 Asian Television Awards.

     

    Held last night in a glittering ceremony in Singapore, the wins were for the ground-breaking pan-Asian entertainment series, Asia’s Got Talent, which was screened throughout Asia on broadcaster AXN; and for our Indian production Nat Geo Covershot: Maximum City for National Geographic.

     

    Nat Geo Covershot: Maximum City (FM India) won the Best Reality Show award, whereas Best Adaption of an Existing Format went to Asia’s Got Talent (FM Asia).

     

    Determined by an expert panel of over 60 judges from across the region, the Asian Television Awards is the region’s biggest and most prestigious awards, attracting more than 1200 entries across 30 award categories from a wide range of broadcasters and platforms. The awards are recognised by the region’s entertainment industry as an important accolade and it is a great honour to receive four nominations. 

     

    Nat Geo Covershot: Maximum City is an exciting and creative photography-based reality program featuring 16 budding photographers from across India. They compete to be featured on the cover of the National Geographic Traveller India magazine. Here is a fantastic promo for the series:

    Asia’s Got Talent was the highest rated English language show in Asia for 2015, achieving an unprecedented 93 per cent audience share across English language channels in The Philippines for the Grand Final. To sample some of the amazing acts on AGT, please take a look at their YouTube channel:

     

    https://www.YouTube.com/user/asiasgottalent

  • FremantleMedia strikes multiple deals for ‘Simply Nigella’

    FremantleMedia strikes multiple deals for ‘Simply Nigella’

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International has closed deals for a new cooking show Simply Nigella and Nigella’s Christmas Special. Four major networks consisting of Prime (New Zealand), Foxtel (Australia), TV2 (Norway) and Discovery Networks (Asia-Pacific) have acquired the series, which stars internationally renowned food writer and celebrity chef Nigella Lawson. 

     

    FMI, EMEA and Asia Pacific, non scripted (UK) director Angela Neillis said, “We’re incredibly excited that Simply Nigella has had this much impact with buyers. The deals reflect the high quality of this feel-good series and Nigella’s enduring ability to resonate with audiences worldwide.”

     

    Produced by BBC Productions, Simply Nigella will see the cook create a handful of dishes per episode and showcase her talents in the kitchen. Lawson shares the story behind each meal and focuses on specific ingredients revealing what makes them her favourites as well as divulging her culinary tips to ensure cooking is as stress free as possible. She also ventures beyond the kitchen visiting local suppliers and independent food stores to source fresh quality produce to include in her recipes.

     

    In addition to the acquisition of Simply Nigella and Nigella’s Christmas Special, Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific has also picked up a comprehensive mix of lifestyle and entertainment content including Jamie’s Super Food, which sees the globally renowned chef revolutionise how we think about nutrition, popular series Project Runway S14 (16 x 60), Project Runway All Stars S5 (13 x 60), which sees the best contestants return to compete once again and Project Runway Junior S2 (10 x 60) showcasing America’s most talented young fashion designers aged 14-17 years.

  • French pubcaster snaps up FremantleMedia’s ‘No Offence’

    French pubcaster snaps up FremantleMedia’s ‘No Offence’

    MUMBAI: France is the latest international market to be captivated by Paul Abbott’s No Offence produced by AbbottVision for UK’s Channel 4.

     

    Public broadcaster France Télévisions has acquired the cop comedy-drama from FremantleMedia International. The show stars Will Mellor, Paul Ritter and Colin Salmon.

     

    Created by Abbott, the unconventional and captivating series, which last month picked up the best foreign fiction award at La Rochelle’s festival de la fiction, is set to premiere on France 2. Today’s news swells the ranks of international broadcasters lining up to take the title, with FMI having sold the show to ABC (Australia), NOP (Netherlands), Hot (Israel), DR (Denmark) and RUV (Iceland) after acquiring the rights earlier this year.

     

    EMEA head of sales and distribution Jamie Lynn said, “No Offence pushes the boundaries on so many different levels, yet its compelling storytelling and characters you genuinely care about makes this addictive viewing. With a prestigious award already under its belt, and a second season already commissioned, we’re already getting huge interest with international buyers, so I’m really excited that France Television has come on board to bring No Offence to the widest possible audience in France.”

     

    Set in a close-knit policing unit located in North West England, No Offence follows a committed team of officers as they crack down on crime and attempt to enforce the law in this chaotic community. At the helm is the sharp and savvy Inspector Vivienne Deering, played by Joanna Scanlon, alongside her ‘right hand’ women, DC Dinah Kowalska and DS Joy Freers. In addition to dealing with the daily grime, the team suddenly has their hands full when a big case involving a twisted serial killer emerges. The squad is pushed to its limit as Deering and her teams are determined to tackle this disturbing case by whatever unconventional and unorthodox means possible.