ITV

Tag: Liz Levenson

  • GRB Media Ranch licenses multiple seasons of ‘Untold Stories of the E.R.’ to +SBT Brazil

    GRB Media Ranch licenses multiple seasons of ‘Untold Stories of the E.R.’ to +SBT Brazil

    Mumbai: GRB Media Ranch president Sophie Ferron announced that the company has licensed seven seasons of Untold Stories of the E.R. to Brazil’s streaming platform +SBT. The series was also recently licensed as a format to Khelgejo for production in Africa, marking GRB Media’s continued territorial and format expansion for this popular program. GRB Media Ranch acquisition & sales executive Liz Levenson will attend MIPCancun to engage with Latin American market representatives.

    Untold Stories of the E.R. is a medical docuseries re-enacting real emergency room cases, showcasing doctors’ expertise and decision-making under intense pressure. GRB Studios’ CEO, Gary R Benz created the iconic series, and he exec-produced 13 seasons within 15 years. The series has been broadcast in 214 territories and has received strong format interest.

    Ferron stated: “We’re thrilled to announce the continued success of Untold Stories of the E.R., as it finds a new home with SBT. It’s rare to come across an IP that continues to resonate with audiences across the globe year after year, and we’re incredibly grateful for its enduring appeal. This series has proven time and again that great storytelling transcends borders, and we look forward to seeing Untold Stories connecting with Brazilian viewers once more — and we anticipate it will inspire local productions in the near future.”

    SBT’s content acquisition and sales manager, Goyo Pessoa Garcia stated, “+SBT, SBT’s streaming platform, aims to bring Brazilian audiences the best content options across a wide variety of genres. Adding Untold Stories of the ER to our catalog seeks to meet the demand of viewers who crave quality docuseries productions and are drawn to the drama and emotional stories each episode brings.”

  • GRB Media Ranch acquires ‘Relative Justice’ from Wrigley Media Group at Mipcom

    GRB Media Ranch acquires ‘Relative Justice’ from Wrigley Media Group at Mipcom

    Mumbai: GRB Media Ranch president Sophie Ferron has announced the acquisition of the US rights from Kentucky producers Wrigley Media Group for two seasons of the courtroom reality series Relative Justice at Mipcom 2024 where they are exhibiting at stand number R7.A16. Previous license deals from GRB Media Ranch sales & acquisition executive, Liz Levenson, with Pluto UK, Viu South Africa. Wrigley Media Group CEO Joe Livecchi closed the deal at Mipcom with Ferron and Levenson.

    Relative Justice is a daily arbitration-based reality court show featuring Judge Rhonda Wills. It explores family disputes that escalate, often involving money, with emotional conflicts at the forefront. Season one (150 x 30) and season two (150 x 30) are also available as a format.

    Ferron stated, “GRB Media Ranch is thrilled to announce the acquisition of the U.S. rights for finished program and format for two seasons of the captivating courtroom reality series, Relative Justice., showcasing real-life courtroom family drama like never before! After successfully distributing the series internationally in the U.K. and South Africa, we are excited to now bring this engaging show to American audiences.”  

    “Relative Justice hits on a universal truth, you can’t choose your family, but you can choose where to take them to court. This format is a guilty pleasure and the overwhelming verdict around the world is ’sold!’,” said Wrigley Media Group chiarwoman Misdee Wrigley Miller.

  • GRB Media Ranch announces format and factual deals with African exhibitors

    GRB Media Ranch announces format and factual deals with African exhibitors

    Mumbai: GRB Media Ranch CEO Gary R Benz has announced several format and factual program deals with African exhibitors, brokered by GRB Media Ranch sales executive Liz Levenson. The first international format sale ever of GRB Studios’ long-running series, Untold Stories of the E.R., has been licensed to Khelgejo for production in Africa. The 150-plus-episode docuseries has been licensed into 200-plus countries over its 20-year life.

    Untold Stories of E.R., licensed to Khelgejo for production in Africa, showcases intense true stories demonstrating the dramatic nature of medicine practiced under pressure, where every moment can be a turning point. See how a doctor’s personal blend of expertise, coolness under fire, and decision-making ability are challenged by unpredictable circumstances and unexpected conditions.

    Blind Dating was licensed to production company Aby Media for production in Africa: Swipe right on the person of your dreams in this studio-based dating game show! Blind Dating creates perfect matches between three single men and three single women. In each episode, without seeing each other, the participants must find their love match by simply answering questions while digging for clues – and some dirt – on social media. Watch these singles try to impress, get picked, and go home with a mate. A hit show in French Canada for many years.

    Wild Zambezi was licensed to Ster Kinekor for theatrical release in South Africa and sold to The Africa Channel for worldwide distribution, excluding Africa. The series consists of eight 60-minute episodes, exploring the Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia and highlighting the challenges posed by the encroachment of civilization. This development reflects the broader existential crisis facing vulnerable ecosystems worldwide.

    Relative Justice, a court program, was licensed to VIU for Africa for seasons one and two, each consisting of 150 episodes of 30 minutes: Family drama is common, often surfacing as arguments around the dinner table. Usually, these disagreements are harmless, sometimes even humorous. However, when family conflicts escalate, especially over money, they can become destructive. *Relative Justice* is a daily arbitration-based reality court show where judge Rhonda Wills handles these family disputes.

    Benz stated: “GRB Media Ranch is pleased to announce our African formats and factual program deals with new clients including The Africa Channel, Ster Kinekor, VIU, and Aby Media.  We continue to acquire program of broad but targeted interest, and we are especially excited about the first international format sale to Khelgejo Productions of our GRB Studios’ created show, Untold Stories of the E.R. and to see a locally produced version in Africa. As we say, at GRB Media Ranch, we’ve got stories!”

  • GRB Media Ranch acquires four new documentaries

    GRB Media Ranch acquires four new documentaries

    Mumbai: GRB Media Ranch CEO, Gary R Benz announced the acquisition of four hot topical new documentaries covering a range of headline grabbing events.

    The content includes the murder investigation of Tupak Shakur: Tupac: 187 (working title), an art theft in Ottawa in Stealing Churchill, and sensational political topics: God & Country and Unfit. The company will present all four docs at MIPDoc and MIPTV next week where GRB Media Ranch president, Sophie Ferron and GRB sales & acquisitions’ executive Liz Levenson will be in attendance.

    Tupac: 187 (working title) after 30 years, the case of murdered Rap superstar Tupac Shakur may finally get resolved when an accused Las Vegas man stands trial. Discover the criminal negligence and its impact on the night of the shooting and see the development of the false narrative that was devised to cover it up; and track the “big lie” all the way from its inception five minutes after the shooting until this moment – the current case in Nevada. Was the right guy caught? (5×60’)

    Stealing Churchill is an investigative documentary taking audiences to the heart of the unlikely heist that shocked the international arts community: the theft of the famous Winston Churchill portrait by Yousuf Karsh. This masterwork painting was stolen from the Reading Lounge in Ottawa’s Château Laurier and replaced by a fake which was only discovered eight months later. Has the portrait of the Roaring Lion, a work of art that launched Yousuf Karsh’s international career, disappeared forever?  (1 x 60’)  

    Unfit: The Psychology of Donald Trump:  This documentary explores if Donald Trump is psychologically fit to hold the office of President of the United States. This is an eye-opening analysis of Trump by leading U.S. mental health professionals and political observers and those who had intimate personal contact with him and his behavior. (1 x 90’)

    God & Country:  From award-winning director Dan Partland (Intervention) and mega-producer Rob Reiner, this vital documentary reveals the dangerous implications of Christian Nationalism which distorts the U.S.  Constitution and Christianity itself.  What happens when a faith built on love, sacrifice, and forgiveness grows political tentacles, conflating power, money, and belief into hyper-nationalism?  (1 X 90’)

    Gary R Benz stated: “GRB Media Ranch is thrilled to debut four exciting new documentaries to add to its expanding non-fiction portfolio. The new content is both topical and unnerving and complements our library of over 5,000 hours of premium finished programs and formats.  We are delighted to introduce them to the market at this time when the subject matter continues to attract headlines in the media. As we say at GRB Media Ranch – we’ve got stories!”

  • GRB Media Ranch secures Relative Justice series deal with CBS AMC Networks in Malta, MEA

    GRB Media Ranch secures Relative Justice series deal with CBS AMC Networks in Malta, MEA

    Mumbai: GRB Media Ranch CEO Gary R Benz announced sales with CBS AMC Networks for its reality legal series Relative Justice (150 x ‘30) for the territories of  Malta, the Middle East and Africa. The deal was brokered by Liz Levenson, GRB Media Ranch Distribution & Acquisition Executive.

    The Company also announced yet another deal for its flagship series Untold Stories of the E.R. for several seasons in Italy by Discovery. The deal was closed by GRB Media Ranch president, Sophie Ferron. Other recently announced deals for this long-running popular series include acquisition by FilmRise of 120 episodes, for the United States, Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and all other English-language territories, (Jan 2024) and Discovery for Spain (Fall 2023).

    Relative Justice: Real people, real cases, real families in crisis. Judge Rhonda Wills is a dynamic, captivating, and compassionate tour de force delivering justice in this arbitration-based reality court show which centers on resolving inter-family legal disputes. Wills dispenses legal advice with a nod toward rebuilding relationships to get beyond current family conflicts.  (photo below)

    Untold Stories of the E.R. is a dramatic medical docu-series re-enacting intense real-life stories of the emergency room, demonstrating the true nature of medicine practiced under pressure, where every moment can be a turning point. Audiences witness how a doctor’s personal blend of expertise, coolness under fire, and decision-making ability are challenged by unpredictable circumstances – and how character makes the ultimate difference. GRB Studios’ Benz created the iconic series, and he exec-produced 13 seasons within 15 years. The series has been broadcast in 214 territories and has received strong Format interest.

    Gary R Benz stated: “GRB Media Ranch is pleased to announce that CBS AMC Networks has acquired our brilliant family legal series, Relative Justice, in which family court issues are heard and decided. We are excited that yet another territory – Italy – has taken our proprietary signature series, Untold Stories of the E.R., a fast-paced series about unique stories of emergency room doctors and nurses, saving lives and highlighting the drama of medical crises.”

  • GRB Media Ranch inks licensing deal with Cote Ouest at MIPCOM

    GRB Media Ranch inks licensing deal with Cote Ouest at MIPCOM

    Mumbai: GRB Media Ranch co-principals, Gary R. Benz and Sophie Ferron announced that they closed a licensing deal at MIPCOM for three popular titles from the Icons Unearthed series from the GRB Media Ranch catalog with Cote Ouest (now part of Mediawan). Liz Levenson, GRB’s distribution and acquisitions executive for Africa, CEE, Middle East ( finished programs & formats), and Scandinavia (finished programming) brokered the deal for GRB Media Ranch. GRB Media Ranch is located at MIPCOM Stand: # R7. A16.

    Created in 1997, Côte Ouest joined Mediawan Africa in May 2023, the African flagship of the Mediawan Group, a leading independent European studio producing audiovisual content and has partnered with GRB Studios in the past, this is their first deal with the new JV – GRB Media Ranch.

    –  Icons Unearthed: Fast & Furious What should have been a one-off popcorn summer flick followed by a straight-to-video sequel became one of the largest film franchises of all time. Worth billions of dollars in ticket sales, it has spawned merchandise, spin-offs, and theme park attractions, and put a series of increasingly amazing stunts on the world’s movie screens. Despite the loss of a beloved lead actor, the franchise is a masterclass in world-building, raising the stakes, and growing a truly dedicated fan base internationally.

    –  Icons Unearthed: Star Wars: Travel to a time not very far, far away and witness the creation and filming of George Lucas’s two Star Wars trilogies. Interviews with cast and crew leave no stone unturned, making it the definitive account of the space saga that changed movies forever.

    –  Icons Unearthed: Marvel The Marvel Cinematic Universe is the most successful franchise of all time and it has changed the way movies are made. Taking a cue from their comic book source material, these films tell different characters’ stories that all take place in one massive, interwoven universe. Each film would introduce one key protagonist, building toward the release of one giant blockbuster, The Avengers, that would put them all together. If a single one of those films failed at the box office, it could derail what may be the biggest gamble ever taken in the history of cinema. How did Marvel pull it off?

    – Icons Unearthed: The Simpsons – The Simpsons has reached television and film audiences around the world. Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, and Maggie are household names and the series’ impact on comedy writing, animation, and pop culture is felt to this day. Icons Unearthed: The Simpsons takes us on an insightful journey from the original two-minute shorts to its status as the longest-running scripted primetime television series of all time. Not even lawsuits, creative disputes, and production changes have been able to stop this animation juggernaut!

    Gary R. Benz stated: “GRB Media Ranch is operating both our sales, and acquisitions, work at full speed since our launch just 6 weeks ago! These deals represent a sampling of the great programs we offer. We are booked solid with meetings at MIPCOM with our partners to bring them even more fantastic programs.”

    Sophie Ferron added: “We are thrilled with these deals for some of our best programs and also have them available for other territories. Gary and I are looking forward to having our full sale teams together for the first time at MIPCOM and, as our motto says, “…we’ve got stories” – over 5,000 hours of them!”

    Cote Ouest CEO Jonathan Lett stated “Cote Ouest, now part of Mediawan, is thrilled to work with these ICONS UNEARTHED titles, and we value the longstanding relationship we’ve had with GRB, now GRB Media Ranch, over the years.  We are so excited to share these titles with audiences in Africa and as both our companies evolve, look forward to exploring exciting new ways to work together.”

  • Discovery A-Pac, Hubu & Looking Glass acquire lifestyle, sports & wildlife programmes from GRB

    Discovery A-Pac, Hubu & Looking Glass acquire lifestyle, sports & wildlife programmes from GRB

    MUMBAI: GRB Entertainment has announced sales to Discovery Asia-Pacific, Hubu Media, and Looking Glass International for a variety of titles spanning lifestyle, wildlife, and sports.

    Discovery Asia-Pacific acquired Hayden Quinn for Central and South Asia, India territory, and New Zealand — an extraordinary culinary adventure through South Africa with the titular Hayden Quinn. Watch as the celebrity cook and Masterchef Australia contestant learns the culture, meets locals, and cooks the best local and sustainable cuisine South Africa has to offer.

    Hubu Media (China) picked up fascinating shark doc Great White Highway — the central coast of California is home to some of the biggest Great White Sharks in the world, but only for part of the year. Scientists have spent years tagging and tracking these sharks to find out why they come here, why they leave, and where they go once they leave their temporary home.

    Looking Glass International acquired for China the World Cup-centric documentary All Eyes On Brazil — relive the 2014 FIFA World Cup which took the entire globe by storm. This unique film documents one of the greatest sports events of all time in a nation that lives, eats, and breathes football. See how The World Cup dramatically affected cities all around Brazil and relive the historic event.

    Looking Glass also acquired automotive competition series World Desert Championship — the world’s most premiere off-road racing competition series bids man and machine against some of the toughest and unforgiving deserts in the world. From the San Felipe Challenge of Champions to the grueling all out endurance race of the Baja 1000, these drivers must not just beat their fellow competitors but must also take on mother nature and survive to see the checkered flag.

    “Asia and Pacific Rim remain a tremendously strong and growing market for GRB and we are thrilled that our broadcast partners in the region have acquired programming that will undoubtedly appeal to their viewers. We are looking forward to meeting with both our existing partners and new clients at ATF,” said GRB vice president – international acquisitions and sales Liz Levenson.

  • Discovery A-Pac, Hubu & Looking Glass acquire lifestyle, sports & wildlife programmes from GRB

    Discovery A-Pac, Hubu & Looking Glass acquire lifestyle, sports & wildlife programmes from GRB

    MUMBAI: GRB Entertainment has announced sales to Discovery Asia-Pacific, Hubu Media, and Looking Glass International for a variety of titles spanning lifestyle, wildlife, and sports.

    Discovery Asia-Pacific acquired Hayden Quinn for Central and South Asia, India territory, and New Zealand — an extraordinary culinary adventure through South Africa with the titular Hayden Quinn. Watch as the celebrity cook and Masterchef Australia contestant learns the culture, meets locals, and cooks the best local and sustainable cuisine South Africa has to offer.

    Hubu Media (China) picked up fascinating shark doc Great White Highway — the central coast of California is home to some of the biggest Great White Sharks in the world, but only for part of the year. Scientists have spent years tagging and tracking these sharks to find out why they come here, why they leave, and where they go once they leave their temporary home.

    Looking Glass International acquired for China the World Cup-centric documentary All Eyes On Brazil — relive the 2014 FIFA World Cup which took the entire globe by storm. This unique film documents one of the greatest sports events of all time in a nation that lives, eats, and breathes football. See how The World Cup dramatically affected cities all around Brazil and relive the historic event.

    Looking Glass also acquired automotive competition series World Desert Championship — the world’s most premiere off-road racing competition series bids man and machine against some of the toughest and unforgiving deserts in the world. From the San Felipe Challenge of Champions to the grueling all out endurance race of the Baja 1000, these drivers must not just beat their fellow competitors but must also take on mother nature and survive to see the checkered flag.

    “Asia and Pacific Rim remain a tremendously strong and growing market for GRB and we are thrilled that our broadcast partners in the region have acquired programming that will undoubtedly appeal to their viewers. We are looking forward to meeting with both our existing partners and new clients at ATF,” said GRB vice president – international acquisitions and sales Liz Levenson.

  • Melanie Torres is GRB Entertainment’s new international sales director

    Melanie Torres is GRB Entertainment’s new international sales director

    MUMBAI: Melanie Torres has been appointed as the new director of GRB Entertainment’s international sales, and will be responsible for profitability and sales growth in Latin America, U.S. Hispanic, CEE, CIS and Spanish-speaking Europe.

    Torres was previously the associate manager of international content distribution at A+E Networks, where she spent four years between the New York and London offices working across Latin America, US Hispanic, US Syndication, Canada, UK, Benelux, CEE and CIS. Torres began her television career at BBC America assisting the head of distribution for Latin America. She is a graduate of Florida State University.

    Liz Levenson has been upped to Vice President, Acquisitions & Sales. She has been with GRB Entertainment for 3 years and was previously in a Director role. Levenson handles worldwide acquisitions for the international division and is responsible for sales in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

    “Melanie’s experience and global connections will help GRB move to the next level. Liz Levenson has contributed a lot to GRB both, in sales and strategic acquisitions during her three years,” GRB Entertainment SVP international distribution Michael Lolato.

  • Melanie Torres is GRB Entertainment’s new international sales director

    Melanie Torres is GRB Entertainment’s new international sales director

    MUMBAI: Melanie Torres has been appointed as the new director of GRB Entertainment’s international sales, and will be responsible for profitability and sales growth in Latin America, U.S. Hispanic, CEE, CIS and Spanish-speaking Europe.

    Torres was previously the associate manager of international content distribution at A+E Networks, where she spent four years between the New York and London offices working across Latin America, US Hispanic, US Syndication, Canada, UK, Benelux, CEE and CIS. Torres began her television career at BBC America assisting the head of distribution for Latin America. She is a graduate of Florida State University.

    Liz Levenson has been upped to Vice President, Acquisitions & Sales. She has been with GRB Entertainment for 3 years and was previously in a Director role. Levenson handles worldwide acquisitions for the international division and is responsible for sales in Africa, Middle East, Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

    “Melanie’s experience and global connections will help GRB move to the next level. Liz Levenson has contributed a lot to GRB both, in sales and strategic acquisitions during her three years,” GRB Entertainment SVP international distribution Michael Lolato.