ITV

Tag: John Smithson

  • FremantleMedia acquires two factual docs from Arrow Media

    FremantleMedia acquires two factual docs from Arrow Media

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International (FMI) has extended its relationship with UK’s Arrow Media, having acquired international distribution rights to two new factual titles namely Operation Burma (2 x 60) and Nightmare on Everest (1 x 60).

     

    FMI director of non-scripted, UK, EMEA and Asia Pacific Angela Neillis said, “It’s great to be working with the Arrow Media team again and to represent them on such diverse stories. Arrow’s trademark ability to deliver a compelling narrative, uncover new footage and gain the trust of first-hand eyewitnesses is unparalleled, and that’s why FremantleMedia International is proud to have these shows in our catalogue.”

     

    Arrow Media joint creative director John Smithson added, “Our heritage is in unearthing fascinating stories and telling them in a way that will appeal to audiences all over the world. Operation Burma  and Nightmare on Everest are a testament to this. Both reveal the truth behind two very different events, but equally take viewers on an emotional journey back in time. We are delighted to be working with Fremantle on both docs and extending our relationship further.”

     

    Operation Burma – tells the story of world-renowned mountaineer, Joe Simpson as he embarks on a journey of discovery to learn more about the father he barely knew. Best known for his book and film adaptation, Touching the Void, Joe takes viewers on a unique 160 mile adventure in an unexplored part of the world as he undertakes this most personal of quests. Accompanied by survival expert, Ed Stafford, the first man to walk the length of the Amazon, Joe uses details recorded in his father’s secret, coded diary, to retrace the steps his father took seventy years ago as part of the second Chindit “Special Forces” campaign against the Japanese. Operation Burma is a BBC Two commission and Nick Metcalfe is executive producer.

     

    Nightmare on Everest – tells the gripping and emotional story of two days in the spring of 2015 which saw two catastrophic earthquakes strike the Himalayas killing 18 mountaineers and trapping many more for days. Almost one year on from this momentous event which took place on 15 April, the series uses a combination of user-generated content, previously untold stories and CGI to capture the impact of the natural disaster which sparked a series of devastating avalanches on Mount Everest. It has been commissioned in the UK by Channel 4.

     

    FremantleMedia International also represents two additional Arrow Media titles. Dogs: Their Secret Lives, which has gone on to sell into 43 territories and is a fascinating hidden-camera series that captures the extraordinary behaviour of some of the nation’s dogs and their owners; and Hitler: The Biography (w/t) a six-part documentary series which chronicles Hitler from childhood to his downfall and has several pending deals across global territories.

  • FremantleMedia acquires two factual docs from Arrow Media

    FremantleMedia acquires two factual docs from Arrow Media

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International (FMI) has extended its relationship with UK’s Arrow Media, having acquired international distribution rights to two new factual titles namely Operation Burma (2 x 60) and Nightmare on Everest (1 x 60).

     

    FMI director of non-scripted, UK, EMEA and Asia Pacific Angela Neillis said, “It’s great to be working with the Arrow Media team again and to represent them on such diverse stories. Arrow’s trademark ability to deliver a compelling narrative, uncover new footage and gain the trust of first-hand eyewitnesses is unparalleled, and that’s why FremantleMedia International is proud to have these shows in our catalogue.”

     

    Arrow Media joint creative director John Smithson added, “Our heritage is in unearthing fascinating stories and telling them in a way that will appeal to audiences all over the world. Operation Burma  and Nightmare on Everest are a testament to this. Both reveal the truth behind two very different events, but equally take viewers on an emotional journey back in time. We are delighted to be working with Fremantle on both docs and extending our relationship further.”

     

    Operation Burma – tells the story of world-renowned mountaineer, Joe Simpson as he embarks on a journey of discovery to learn more about the father he barely knew. Best known for his book and film adaptation, Touching the Void, Joe takes viewers on a unique 160 mile adventure in an unexplored part of the world as he undertakes this most personal of quests. Accompanied by survival expert, Ed Stafford, the first man to walk the length of the Amazon, Joe uses details recorded in his father’s secret, coded diary, to retrace the steps his father took seventy years ago as part of the second Chindit “Special Forces” campaign against the Japanese. Operation Burma is a BBC Two commission and Nick Metcalfe is executive producer.

     

    Nightmare on Everest – tells the gripping and emotional story of two days in the spring of 2015 which saw two catastrophic earthquakes strike the Himalayas killing 18 mountaineers and trapping many more for days. Almost one year on from this momentous event which took place on 15 April, the series uses a combination of user-generated content, previously untold stories and CGI to capture the impact of the natural disaster which sparked a series of devastating avalanches on Mount Everest. It has been commissioned in the UK by Channel 4.

     

    FremantleMedia International also represents two additional Arrow Media titles. Dogs: Their Secret Lives, which has gone on to sell into 43 territories and is a fascinating hidden-camera series that captures the extraordinary behaviour of some of the nation’s dogs and their owners; and Hitler: The Biography (w/t) a six-part documentary series which chronicles Hitler from childhood to his downfall and has several pending deals across global territories.

  • TWI to acquire independent production firm Darlow Smithson

    TWI to acquire independent production firm Darlow Smithson

    MUMBAI: Sports content producer and distributor TWI has acquired the London based factual independent production company Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP).
    TWI, will finance the acquisition entirely with capital from parent company IMG. The acquisition significantly expands TWI’s non-sports production output, enabling it to become a market leader in high quality factual programming, as part of its continuing growth strategy.

    For DSP, the agreement enhances its position as one of the top global factual production companies and gives access to new opportunities and new technologies.

    Key to the acquisition is DSP’s outstanding worldwide reputation as an innovative, factual programming leader, delivering ground-breaking documentaries, series and docu-dramas with a growing annual output of more than 100 hours and an annual turnover of £20 million. In a global peer poll just released, DSP has been named as one of the seven most notable companies in the world in non-fiction production, selected for its inspirational and trendsetting programmes.
    DSP’s programme portfolio includes multi episode returning series I Shouldn’t Be Alive (Channel 4, Discovery US), Seconds From Disaster (NGC/NGCI) and Channel 4 documentaries The Falling Man, Blitz: London’s Firestorm and The Somme. DSP’s Touching the Void was the UK’s most successful ever theatrical documentary.

    TWI senior VP production and business development Alastair Waddington said, “We are delighted to acquire such a prestigious company as Darlow Smithson Productions, whose reputation in the factual arena inspires admiration all over the world. The respect that DSP commands from global broadcasters and clients is reflected in its growing stature, increased turnover year on year and more than 25 international awards to date. DSP harnesses some of the industry’s most creative and technical talent, and we look forward to its continued success and growth, while maintaining its distinctive identity as a producer of top quality programming.”

    DSP executive chairman and creative director John Smithson said, “This is an exciting opportunity for us at the right time in the growth of our company. The Darlow Smithson name remains – same people, same creativity, same editorial standards. But going forward, it will bring much more. TWI and IMG Media will provide us with an extensive international structure to help us grow DSP, including areas like new media where it has significant experience, strengthening our relationships with clients and enhancing our creative development.”

    IMG chairman and CEO Ted Forstmann said, “IMG is already a major player in worldwide distribution, rights management and multi-platform exploitation including new media, and the acquisition of Darlow Smithson Productions will enhance the company’s global assets and help us achieve our growth ambitions. Going forward, we are prepared to invest in development and production of content, and intend to pursue additional innovative business partnerships in order to maximise those goals.”