Big Brother exec Katy Manley has said it is “derogatory and disingenuous” for people to dismiss reality TV shows as “guilty pleasures.”
Speaking during an Edinburgh TV Festival debate titled TV’s Snobbery Problem, Initial bosss Manley, who is helming the ITV Big Brother reboot with Natalka Znak, blasted those who don’t respect shows in which “people say their opinions in their own words.”
“Maybe that is not as palatable for [the detractors],” she added. “Maybe it’s because they’re not watching polished TV professionals but I think it’s derogatory and disingenuous to say these shows are guilty pleasures. There are hundreds of people working on them.”
Part of “the snobbery” is a “British sensibility to dismiss people who don’t have a traditional talent like singing or writing a book,” added Manley. Big Brother will return to ITV – its third UK network – later this year, five years after...
Speaking during an Edinburgh TV Festival debate titled TV’s Snobbery Problem, Initial bosss Manley, who is helming the ITV Big Brother reboot with Natalka Znak, blasted those who don’t respect shows in which “people say their opinions in their own words.”
“Maybe that is not as palatable for [the detractors],” she added. “Maybe it’s because they’re not watching polished TV professionals but I think it’s derogatory and disingenuous to say these shows are guilty pleasures. There are hundreds of people working on them.”
Part of “the snobbery” is a “British sensibility to dismiss people who don’t have a traditional talent like singing or writing a book,” added Manley. Big Brother will return to ITV – its third UK network – later this year, five years after...
- 8/23/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Kitty Walshe, the CEO of Rdf Group and Your Home Made Perfect producer Remarkable Factual, is exiting after eight years, with the pair of Banijay labels set to merge.
A redundancy consultation process is currently taking place and a number of staff are expected to be laid off, with the newly-merged label badged Rdf. Walshe’s decision to leave preceded the merger decision. Rdf West MD Jo Scarratt-Jones and London boss Meredith Chambers will remain with the company.
Kitty Walshe
Walshe joined from Twofour almost a decade ago to shepherd Remarkable Factual before adding Crystal Maze and Only Connect producer Rdf to her roster in 2021. Remarkable Factual makes the likes of Your Home Made Perfect, the BBC’s VR format hosted by Angela Scanlon in which technology and innovative architects turn ordinary houses into dream homes.
Rdf calls itself “one of the largest UK production companys within Banijay” and...
A redundancy consultation process is currently taking place and a number of staff are expected to be laid off, with the newly-merged label badged Rdf. Walshe’s decision to leave preceded the merger decision. Rdf West MD Jo Scarratt-Jones and London boss Meredith Chambers will remain with the company.
Kitty Walshe
Walshe joined from Twofour almost a decade ago to shepherd Remarkable Factual before adding Crystal Maze and Only Connect producer Rdf to her roster in 2021. Remarkable Factual makes the likes of Your Home Made Perfect, the BBC’s VR format hosted by Angela Scanlon in which technology and innovative architects turn ordinary houses into dream homes.
Rdf calls itself “one of the largest UK production companys within Banijay” and...
- 7/17/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
ITV’s rebooted Big Brother has landed Aj Odudu and Will Best as hosts. A teaser unveiling the pair can be seen below.
The duo will share the iconic hosting role on the main show previously occupied by Davina McCall, presiding over the weekly evictions and quizzing housemates on all of the goings on in house over six weeks. The duo will also host an additional nightly live show.
ITV revealed it would be rebooting Big Brother last year and the network is now the third channel to have hosted the show in the UK, following Channel 4 and Channel 5. Big Brother airs around the world in numerous territories and is produced by Banijay-backed Initial in the UK, helmed by reality vet Natalka Znak, who recently joined Banijay.
Odudu already hosts a number of UK formats include Channel 4’s revival of The Big Breakfast and Comic Relief, while she...
The duo will share the iconic hosting role on the main show previously occupied by Davina McCall, presiding over the weekly evictions and quizzing housemates on all of the goings on in house over six weeks. The duo will also host an additional nightly live show.
ITV revealed it would be rebooting Big Brother last year and the network is now the third channel to have hosted the show in the UK, following Channel 4 and Channel 5. Big Brother airs around the world in numerous territories and is produced by Banijay-backed Initial in the UK, helmed by reality vet Natalka Znak, who recently joined Banijay.
Odudu already hosts a number of UK formats include Channel 4’s revival of The Big Breakfast and Comic Relief, while she...
- 4/25/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Initial has hired Fulwell 73’s Director of Development Caroline Roseman, as the Banijay indie gears up to return Big Brother to British screens.
Roseman takes on newly created role of Creative Director, Development, reporting to Managing Director Katy Manley.
Her hire comes after Deadline revealed Cat Lynch was exiting her Joint Managing Director role at Initial to join Dan Grabiner’s Amazon Studios team in the UK.
It also comes as Initial readies one of the biggest projects in UK television right now – reality competition format Big Brother’s return, this time to Love Island network ITV2. The show has played on both Channel 4 and Channel 5 in the past in the UK but hasn’t been on air since 2018, though Initial did make two specials for Channel 4 during the pandemic in 2020.
Roseman has more than 20 years of experience and in her most recent role as Director of Development...
Roseman takes on newly created role of Creative Director, Development, reporting to Managing Director Katy Manley.
Her hire comes after Deadline revealed Cat Lynch was exiting her Joint Managing Director role at Initial to join Dan Grabiner’s Amazon Studios team in the UK.
It also comes as Initial readies one of the biggest projects in UK television right now – reality competition format Big Brother’s return, this time to Love Island network ITV2. The show has played on both Channel 4 and Channel 5 in the past in the UK but hasn’t been on air since 2018, though Initial did make two specials for Channel 4 during the pandemic in 2020.
Roseman has more than 20 years of experience and in her most recent role as Director of Development...
- 1/9/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Survivor UK’ Maker Remarkable Entertainment Sets New Top Team
Banijay UK’s Remarkable Entertainment, the producer behind the upcoming BBC version of Survivor and Richard Osman’s House of Games, has promoted Creative Directors Tamara Gilder and Cat Lawson to Joint Managing Directors. At the same time, Natalka Znak, who oversees Remarkable, Initial and Znak TV as CEO, as upped Banijay UK Director of Programmes Claire O’Donohoe to Chief Creative Officer. She’ll work across Remarkable, Big Brother maker Initial and Znak TV, having only joined in February. All three report to Znak. The changes come soon after Deadline revealed Initial’s Co-Managing Director Cat Lynch is moving to become Amazon Studios UK Unscripted Executive.
Viaplay Slows International Roll Out But Signs Pickbox Deal, Sets Na Launch Date
Nordic streamer Viaplay is scaling back its launch plans for 2023 after announcing it is expecting a loss of approximately SEK1BN (92M...
Banijay UK’s Remarkable Entertainment, the producer behind the upcoming BBC version of Survivor and Richard Osman’s House of Games, has promoted Creative Directors Tamara Gilder and Cat Lawson to Joint Managing Directors. At the same time, Natalka Znak, who oversees Remarkable, Initial and Znak TV as CEO, as upped Banijay UK Director of Programmes Claire O’Donohoe to Chief Creative Officer. She’ll work across Remarkable, Big Brother maker Initial and Znak TV, having only joined in February. All three report to Znak. The changes come soon after Deadline revealed Initial’s Co-Managing Director Cat Lynch is moving to become Amazon Studios UK Unscripted Executive.
Viaplay Slows International Roll Out But Signs Pickbox Deal, Sets Na Launch Date
Nordic streamer Viaplay is scaling back its launch plans for 2023 after announcing it is expecting a loss of approximately SEK1BN (92M...
- 11/9/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Initial Co-Managing Director Cat Lynch is joining Amazon Studios in the UK.
She is set to take on the post of UK Unscripted Executive, working closely with Head of UK Originals Dan Grabiner and UK Unscripted chief Fozia Khan on a range of factual entertainment, entertainment and documentary titles.
Lynch, who has been with Banijay UK-owned Initial for a decade, will report into Grabiner when she begins the new role in early 2023. We’ve heard the switch has been on the cards for a while now, but has only just been made official.
It’s the first major change for Amazon Studios in the UK since the London-based Georgia Brown left her post as Head of European Originals at the end of August. News of the appointment closely follows the departure of Prime Video Germany Country Director Kaspar Pflüger, which we reported on Friday.
Lynch has been with unscripted...
She is set to take on the post of UK Unscripted Executive, working closely with Head of UK Originals Dan Grabiner and UK Unscripted chief Fozia Khan on a range of factual entertainment, entertainment and documentary titles.
Lynch, who has been with Banijay UK-owned Initial for a decade, will report into Grabiner when she begins the new role in early 2023. We’ve heard the switch has been on the cards for a while now, but has only just been made official.
It’s the first major change for Amazon Studios in the UK since the London-based Georgia Brown left her post as Head of European Originals at the end of August. News of the appointment closely follows the departure of Prime Video Germany Country Director Kaspar Pflüger, which we reported on Friday.
Lynch has been with unscripted...
- 11/1/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Banijay UK CEO Patrick Holland is focusing on M&a and talent, and is rewarding high-performing labels with extra investment as he enters his first Mipcom Cannes in the new role.
In his first interview since replacing Peter Salmon in May, Holland told Deadline he is keen to look into buying more labels now that the Endemol Shine Group acquisition is fully complete, starting with Chloe producer Mam Tor Productions, which was revealed by Deadline this morning.
The former BBC Factual boss and BBC Two Controller has taken on a vast job, tying Banijay’s multiple UK labels together creatively and strategically since the departure of both Salmon and subsequently Chief Creative Officer Lucinda Hicks, which meant his role expanded before he had even started.
“I don’t think Banijay is necessarily seen as a major player in M&a in the UK,” he said. “You don’t just buy...
In his first interview since replacing Peter Salmon in May, Holland told Deadline he is keen to look into buying more labels now that the Endemol Shine Group acquisition is fully complete, starting with Chloe producer Mam Tor Productions, which was revealed by Deadline this morning.
The former BBC Factual boss and BBC Two Controller has taken on a vast job, tying Banijay’s multiple UK labels together creatively and strategically since the departure of both Salmon and subsequently Chief Creative Officer Lucinda Hicks, which meant his role expanded before he had even started.
“I don’t think Banijay is necessarily seen as a major player in M&a in the UK,” he said. “You don’t just buy...
- 10/17/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Big Brother exec producer Natalka Znak has said it will be a “hard job” to reach beyond hardcore fans when the reality format is rebooted for ITV.
Znak, the creator of major franchises including Love Island and Hell’s Kitchen and now overseeing Banijay labels Remarkable Entertainment, Initial and Znak TV, described her quandary of appealing to hardcore fans who want the show to remain as it was while attracting new ones.
“TV has moved on since the days we loved watching people eat their cornflakes,” she added.
“I’m having conversations with so many hardcore fans who are saying ‘Don’t touch it’ but I think they will watch. What I need to focus on is appealing to all the people who’ve never watched Big Brother. It’s a hard job. It will be brilliant though.”
Big Brother was on Channel 4 between 2000 and 2010 and Paramount-owned Channel 5...
Znak, the creator of major franchises including Love Island and Hell’s Kitchen and now overseeing Banijay labels Remarkable Entertainment, Initial and Znak TV, described her quandary of appealing to hardcore fans who want the show to remain as it was while attracting new ones.
“TV has moved on since the days we loved watching people eat their cornflakes,” she added.
“I’m having conversations with so many hardcore fans who are saying ‘Don’t touch it’ but I think they will watch. What I need to focus on is appealing to all the people who’ve never watched Big Brother. It’s a hard job. It will be brilliant though.”
Big Brother was on Channel 4 between 2000 and 2010 and Paramount-owned Channel 5...
- 9/27/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Fresh from seeing “Elvis” become his highest-grossing film of all time in the U.K., Australian director Baz Luhrmann is set to be one of the leading speakers at this year’s Royal Television Society (Rts) conference in London, set to take place later this month.
Luhrmann, who has also created series such as “The Get Down,” will be in conversation with British host Edith Bowman, discussing “the power of creativity.”
Also joining the lineup are head of interactive at BBC Studios Tom Burton, Vicki Dobbs Beck, VP for immersive content at Lucasfilm and ILMxLAB, BBC technology correspondent Marc Cieslak and Jan Koeppen, president of The Walt Disney Company Emea.
Gama Gbio, development producer at Entertainment, Expectation, Isabelle Henriques, Co-CEO and COO of Klang Games; Nina Hossain, journalist and newscaster at ITN, Daisy Lilley, manager for Unscripted Series, U.K. at Netflix; Kevin Lygo, managing director of media and entertainment...
Luhrmann, who has also created series such as “The Get Down,” will be in conversation with British host Edith Bowman, discussing “the power of creativity.”
Also joining the lineup are head of interactive at BBC Studios Tom Burton, Vicki Dobbs Beck, VP for immersive content at Lucasfilm and ILMxLAB, BBC technology correspondent Marc Cieslak and Jan Koeppen, president of The Walt Disney Company Emea.
Gama Gbio, development producer at Entertainment, Expectation, Isabelle Henriques, Co-CEO and COO of Klang Games; Nina Hossain, journalist and newscaster at ITN, Daisy Lilley, manager for Unscripted Series, U.K. at Netflix; Kevin Lygo, managing director of media and entertainment...
- 9/7/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
NBC’s ‘New Amsterdam’ To Be Remade In Turkey
NBCUniversal Formats has struck its first licensing deal for New Amsterdam, with Turkish network Show TV picking up David Schulner’s hit NBC show for a reversion. Hayat Bugün (Life is Today) is being produced locally by 03 Medya in association with Universal International Studios, with Schulner consulting on the series. The Turkish version follows Dr. Bariş, the newly appointed Chief of Medicine at one of Turkey’s most famous and oldest public hospitals, as he works to reform the neglected facility by tearing up its bureaucracy to provide exceptional care to patients using creative solutions. The U.S. original, starring Ryan Eggold, Freema Agyeman and Janet Montgomery, is based on an Eric Manheimer book and has run for four seasons on NBC since 2018. Schulner said the 03 Medya team have “taken the hard-earned optimism of New Amsterdam and made it their own.
NBCUniversal Formats has struck its first licensing deal for New Amsterdam, with Turkish network Show TV picking up David Schulner’s hit NBC show for a reversion. Hayat Bugün (Life is Today) is being produced locally by 03 Medya in association with Universal International Studios, with Schulner consulting on the series. The Turkish version follows Dr. Bariş, the newly appointed Chief of Medicine at one of Turkey’s most famous and oldest public hospitals, as he works to reform the neglected facility by tearing up its bureaucracy to provide exceptional care to patients using creative solutions. The U.S. original, starring Ryan Eggold, Freema Agyeman and Janet Montgomery, is based on an Eric Manheimer book and has run for four seasons on NBC since 2018. Schulner said the 03 Medya team have “taken the hard-earned optimism of New Amsterdam and made it their own.
- 9/7/2022
- by Max Goldbart, Zac Ntim and Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Reality hit show Survivor, “one of the world’s most successful TV formats,” is set for a British reboot on the BBC, the public broadcaster said Monday.
“A new U.K. adaption of the entertainment phenomenon has been commissioned by BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Banijay U.K. company Remarkable Entertainment, run by leading entertainment producers Natalka Znak and Claire O’Donohoe,” the broadcaster unveiled.
The 16-episode season “promises viewers a compelling test of brains, brawn and betrayal as players compete to outwit, outplay and outlast their rivals to be crowned the Ultimate Survivor,” the BBC said in summarizing the format’s tried and tested formula. “Twenty people, carefully selected from across the U.K. will be marooned in a tropical location. They will be divided into two tribes, going head-to-head in a range of physical and psychological challenges. Following a number of...
Reality hit show Survivor, “one of the world’s most successful TV formats,” is set for a British reboot on the BBC, the public broadcaster said Monday.
“A new U.K. adaption of the entertainment phenomenon has been commissioned by BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Banijay U.K. company Remarkable Entertainment, run by leading entertainment producers Natalka Znak and Claire O’Donohoe,” the broadcaster unveiled.
The 16-episode season “promises viewers a compelling test of brains, brawn and betrayal as players compete to outwit, outplay and outlast their rivals to be crowned the Ultimate Survivor,” the BBC said in summarizing the format’s tried and tested formula. “Twenty people, carefully selected from across the U.K. will be marooned in a tropical location. They will be divided into two tribes, going head-to-head in a range of physical and psychological challenges. Following a number of...
- 9/5/2022
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The BBC is rebooting hit reality series “Survivor.” The show last appeared on U.K. screens in 2001 and 2002, when it aired on ITV for two seasons.
The new adaptation, which will be produced by Banijay U.K.-owned Remarkable Entertainment, will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
It is the latest in a series of high-profile unscripted reboots from the BBC, following “Gladiators” and “The Osbournes: Home to Roost.”
The 16-episode season promises physical and psychological challenges for 20 contestants, who must compete in a tropical location to be crowned the Ultimate Survivor.
The show works by dividing the competitors into two tribes, who will go head to head for each challenge. Eliminations will take place throughout the show until the tribes merge and one person emerges victorious.
More information – including the host and TX date as well as casting details – is set to be announced soon.
“Survivor,” which was...
The new adaptation, which will be produced by Banijay U.K.-owned Remarkable Entertainment, will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
It is the latest in a series of high-profile unscripted reboots from the BBC, following “Gladiators” and “The Osbournes: Home to Roost.”
The 16-episode season promises physical and psychological challenges for 20 contestants, who must compete in a tropical location to be crowned the Ultimate Survivor.
The show works by dividing the competitors into two tribes, who will go head to head for each challenge. Eliminations will take place throughout the show until the tribes merge and one person emerges victorious.
More information – including the host and TX date as well as casting details – is set to be announced soon.
“Survivor,” which was...
- 9/5/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC has confirmed its reboot of Survivor, bringing the show back 20 years after it aired on ITV with Banjay label Remarkable Entertainment producing.
The 16-part series will air next year, taking 20 people to compete in physical and psychological challenges on an island in a bid to be crowned the ultimate survivor.
Broadcast confirmation, presenter information and further casting details for the UK version of Survivor will be announced in due course, the BBC said.
Banijay’s Natalka Znak, who is also exec producing ITV’s Big Brother reboot, will exec alongside Claire O’Donohoe, both of whom have been signature Banijay hires in the past few months.
The format first aired in Sweden in 1997 and was picked up for two seasons by ITV in 2001, created by Charlie Parsons. It has been a huge hit in the U.S., airing on CBS for 42 seasons and still going strong, while multiple territories have also made versions.
The 16-part series will air next year, taking 20 people to compete in physical and psychological challenges on an island in a bid to be crowned the ultimate survivor.
Broadcast confirmation, presenter information and further casting details for the UK version of Survivor will be announced in due course, the BBC said.
Banijay’s Natalka Znak, who is also exec producing ITV’s Big Brother reboot, will exec alongside Claire O’Donohoe, both of whom have been signature Banijay hires in the past few months.
The format first aired in Sweden in 1997 and was picked up for two seasons by ITV in 2001, created by Charlie Parsons. It has been a huge hit in the U.S., airing on CBS for 42 seasons and still going strong, while multiple territories have also made versions.
- 9/5/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Four years after the lights went out in the iconic “Big Brother” house at Elstree Studios outside London, the show has sensationally announced a return.
The British version of the iconic reality TV series, which first launched 22 years ago, is set to return to screens in 2023 after what will be a five year hiatus. This time, however, it will be broadcast on network ITV2 and streaming platform Itvx.
From its launch in 2000 until 2010 the show aired on Channel 4 before moving to Channel 5 in 2011. It ran there for 7 years until Channel 5 finally retired the format in 2018. (Pictured above is Ray J entering the “Big Brother” house in 2017.)
“A new cast of carefully selected housemates, from all walks of life, will take up residence in the world’s most famous reality TV home for up to six weeks, with cameras capturing their every move, and the nation following every twist and turn,...
The British version of the iconic reality TV series, which first launched 22 years ago, is set to return to screens in 2023 after what will be a five year hiatus. This time, however, it will be broadcast on network ITV2 and streaming platform Itvx.
From its launch in 2000 until 2010 the show aired on Channel 4 before moving to Channel 5 in 2011. It ran there for 7 years until Channel 5 finally retired the format in 2018. (Pictured above is Ray J entering the “Big Brother” house in 2017.)
“A new cast of carefully selected housemates, from all walks of life, will take up residence in the world’s most famous reality TV home for up to six weeks, with cameras capturing their every move, and the nation following every twist and turn,...
- 8/1/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Big Brother has found its third British home, ITV, with the network teasing the news – one of the UK TV industry’s worst kept secrets of the past few months – during the final of tonight’s Love Island season eight.
The format aired on Channel 4 from 2000 to 2010 and Paramount-owned Channel 5 from 2010 to 2018, with ITV’s reboot set to hit British screens in 2023.
As with Love Island, the Banijay format will air on ITV portfolio channel ITV2 along with soon-to-launch streamer Itvx and is a huge coup for the commercial broadcaster.
Airing on CBS in the U.S., the format involves several housemates living in a house together for weeks, competing in challenges as they are voted off one-by-one, with the public watching their every move.
It was teased during the final ad break of tonight’s Love Island, ITV’s biggest reality show.
Paul Mortimer, ITV2 Controller...
The format aired on Channel 4 from 2000 to 2010 and Paramount-owned Channel 5 from 2010 to 2018, with ITV’s reboot set to hit British screens in 2023.
As with Love Island, the Banijay format will air on ITV portfolio channel ITV2 along with soon-to-launch streamer Itvx and is a huge coup for the commercial broadcaster.
Airing on CBS in the U.S., the format involves several housemates living in a house together for weeks, competing in challenges as they are voted off one-by-one, with the public watching their every move.
It was teased during the final ad break of tonight’s Love Island, ITV’s biggest reality show.
Paul Mortimer, ITV2 Controller...
- 8/1/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
The U.K. is re-entering the Big Brother house.
Almost five years after John de Mol’s beloved, loathed, groundbreaking and entertainment landscape-changing reality show left U.K. TV following 17 seasons, the format — now owned by Banijay and produced by its Initial label — is set to make a dramatic return.
Having first launched on Channel 4 in 2000 and then shifted to Channel 5 in 2011 before being axed in 2018, Big Brother is this time heading to ITV. The network, buoyed by the success of its current ratings smash Love Island, broke the much-anticipated news on Monday night, aptly during a commercial break from Love Island‘s season 8 grand finale.
The revived Big Brother will air in 2023 on both ITV’s ITV2 channel and its soon-to-launch streaming service Itvx.
The British press, which played a major part in turning Big Brother into a cultural phenomenal and...
The U.K. is re-entering the Big Brother house.
Almost five years after John de Mol’s beloved, loathed, groundbreaking and entertainment landscape-changing reality show left U.K. TV following 17 seasons, the format — now owned by Banijay and produced by its Initial label — is set to make a dramatic return.
Having first launched on Channel 4 in 2000 and then shifted to Channel 5 in 2011 before being axed in 2018, Big Brother is this time heading to ITV. The network, buoyed by the success of its current ratings smash Love Island, broke the much-anticipated news on Monday night, aptly during a commercial break from Love Island‘s season 8 grand finale.
The revived Big Brother will air in 2023 on both ITV’s ITV2 channel and its soon-to-launch streaming service Itvx.
The British press, which played a major part in turning Big Brother into a cultural phenomenal and...
- 8/1/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Banijay’s UK CEO Lucinda Hicks is exiting after 12 years at the Europe-based production giant, with incoming Executive Chairman Patrick Holland set to take on her post.
Hicks has been CEO for two years, taking the post in 2020 after Banijay acquired her former company Endemol Shine Group.
Former BBC Director of Factual, Arts and Classical Music Patrick Holland will take on the CEO role in May. He will also become Executive Chairman following Peter Salmon’s exit, as previous reported.
Hicks and Salmon worked closely after the Banijay deal at the Peaky Blinders, MasterChef and Survivor company, helping it through the Covid pandemic, while bringing in the likes of Natalka Znak and Jon Swain to lead key production brands.
Prior to her CEO role, Hicks was COO of Endemol Shine UK, having joined the company when Endemol merged with Shine Group in 2015. Her roles have included Joint Managing Director of...
Hicks has been CEO for two years, taking the post in 2020 after Banijay acquired her former company Endemol Shine Group.
Former BBC Director of Factual, Arts and Classical Music Patrick Holland will take on the CEO role in May. He will also become Executive Chairman following Peter Salmon’s exit, as previous reported.
Hicks and Salmon worked closely after the Banijay deal at the Peaky Blinders, MasterChef and Survivor company, helping it through the Covid pandemic, while bringing in the likes of Natalka Znak and Jon Swain to lead key production brands.
Prior to her CEO role, Hicks was COO of Endemol Shine UK, having joined the company when Endemol merged with Shine Group in 2015. Her roles have included Joint Managing Director of...
- 4/4/2022
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Former Propagate President Greg Lipstone has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of American Song Contest Inc., one of the companies behind NBC’s upcoming music reality competition series of the same name, which premieres March 21.
Following the blueprint of the Eurovision Song Contest and inspired by its spectacle and production elements, the nine-week series, hosted by Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg and produced by Propagate Content and Universal TV Alternative Studio, features artists going head to head in state-to-state weekly competitions, leading to semi-finals and a March Madness-style Grand Final.
In the newly created role, Lipstone’s focus will be to develop and grow the Eurovision Song Contest brand globally. Domestically, that involves creating auxiliary businesses around the American Song Contest reality series, including digital commerce. Based in ASC, Inc.’s home base in Los Angeles, Lipstone also will work on the brand’s international expansion, including...
Following the blueprint of the Eurovision Song Contest and inspired by its spectacle and production elements, the nine-week series, hosted by Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg and produced by Propagate Content and Universal TV Alternative Studio, features artists going head to head in state-to-state weekly competitions, leading to semi-finals and a March Madness-style Grand Final.
In the newly created role, Lipstone’s focus will be to develop and grow the Eurovision Song Contest brand globally. Domestically, that involves creating auxiliary businesses around the American Song Contest reality series, including digital commerce. Based in ASC, Inc.’s home base in Los Angeles, Lipstone also will work on the brand’s international expansion, including...
- 3/16/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Leading entertainment format producer Claire O’Donohoe has joined Banijay U.K. as director of programs.
O’Donohoe will work closely with her long-time creative collaborator Natalka Znak, the newly appointed CEO of group companies Remarkable, Initial, and ZnakTV, a company Znak set up in 2021 after departing Sky-backed outfit Znak & Co.
O’Donohoe has some two decades of TV experience in the U.S. and U.K. She most recently served as a commissioner at Fox, and went on to be senior VP, head of current at Fox Alternative Entertainment Studios. While in these roles she was involved in commissioning and launching break out hits “The Masked Singer” and “I Can See Your Voice.”
At Banijay U.K. O’Donohoe will work with American buyers, bringing U.K. formats from the creative teams at Remarkable Entertainment, Initial and Znak TV to the U.S. market. She also has the responsibility of...
O’Donohoe will work closely with her long-time creative collaborator Natalka Znak, the newly appointed CEO of group companies Remarkable, Initial, and ZnakTV, a company Znak set up in 2021 after departing Sky-backed outfit Znak & Co.
O’Donohoe has some two decades of TV experience in the U.S. and U.K. She most recently served as a commissioner at Fox, and went on to be senior VP, head of current at Fox Alternative Entertainment Studios. While in these roles she was involved in commissioning and launching break out hits “The Masked Singer” and “I Can See Your Voice.”
At Banijay U.K. O’Donohoe will work with American buyers, bringing U.K. formats from the creative teams at Remarkable Entertainment, Initial and Znak TV to the U.S. market. She also has the responsibility of...
- 2/7/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Fox exec Claire O’Donohoe, who helped launch The Masked Singer and I Can See Your Voice in the U.S., is to team up with her long-time creative collaborator Natalka Znak at Banijay.
O’Donohoe joins the European production giant as Director of Programmes, coming shortly after Love Island creator Znak became the CEO of Banijay labels Remarkable and Initial, while Banijay acquired her indie ZnakTV.
Based in the UK alongside Znak, O’Donohoe will work closely with U.S. buyers to pitch UK formats from the three labels, while being tasked with reinvigorating their legacy brands.
She has more than two decades of non-scripted TV experience, serving as both commissioner and Senior Vice President, Head of Current at Fox Alternative Entertainment Studios. While in these roles she was primarily involved in commissioning and launching breakout hits including The Masked Singer and I Can See Your Voice.
O’Donohoe also produced U.
O’Donohoe joins the European production giant as Director of Programmes, coming shortly after Love Island creator Znak became the CEO of Banijay labels Remarkable and Initial, while Banijay acquired her indie ZnakTV.
Based in the UK alongside Znak, O’Donohoe will work closely with U.S. buyers to pitch UK formats from the three labels, while being tasked with reinvigorating their legacy brands.
She has more than two decades of non-scripted TV experience, serving as both commissioner and Senior Vice President, Head of Current at Fox Alternative Entertainment Studios. While in these roles she was primarily involved in commissioning and launching breakout hits including The Masked Singer and I Can See Your Voice.
O’Donohoe also produced U.
- 2/7/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Cooking-loving kids will light up Fox once again when “Masterchef Junior” returns for its eighth season this March — and TheWrap has your first look at a new promo for the show.
In the sneak peek (see below), chef Gordon Ramsay puts the kids through their paces in the kitchen as they try new competition challenges. The show features kids between 8 and 13, who will show their passion for food as they cook a meal for diners at an historical renaissance fair. There’s also a visit to a monster truck rally, and there will be a WWE-themed episode.
Joining Ramsay are chef Aarón Sánchez and new judge, author Daphne Oz. Ramsay’s daughter, Tilly Ramsay, will also return for Season 8 in a donut challenge
In addition to the “Masterchef Junior” trophy, the winner will take home a $100,000 prize.
“Masterchef Junior” is produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato,...
In the sneak peek (see below), chef Gordon Ramsay puts the kids through their paces in the kitchen as they try new competition challenges. The show features kids between 8 and 13, who will show their passion for food as they cook a meal for diners at an historical renaissance fair. There’s also a visit to a monster truck rally, and there will be a WWE-themed episode.
Joining Ramsay are chef Aarón Sánchez and new judge, author Daphne Oz. Ramsay’s daughter, Tilly Ramsay, will also return for Season 8 in a donut challenge
In addition to the “Masterchef Junior” trophy, the winner will take home a $100,000 prize.
“Masterchef Junior” is produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato,...
- 1/29/2022
- by Jolie Lash
- The Wrap
“The Masked Singer” will premiere its seventh season on March 9, Fox announced Wednesday.
Host Nick Cannon and panelists Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke and Jenny McCarthy will return to the show, which will include a new cast of celebrity competitors who perform in elaborate costumes that conceal their identities. Last season featured Todrick Hall, Honey Boo Boo and Toni Braxton and was ultimately won by singer Jewel, who performed as the “Queen of Hearts.” The first episode of the new season will air at 8 p.m. Et. Moira Ross, Craig Plestis and Nick Cannon serve as executive producers, and Ross also serves as showrunner.
Immediately following the “Masked Singer” will be the premiere of new competition series “Domino Masters.” Hosted by actor Eric Stonestreet, the show will follow sixteen teams of domino enthusiasts as they compete for a cash prize and the title of the country’s most talented domino topplers.
Host Nick Cannon and panelists Nicole Scherzinger, Ken Jeong, Robin Thicke and Jenny McCarthy will return to the show, which will include a new cast of celebrity competitors who perform in elaborate costumes that conceal their identities. Last season featured Todrick Hall, Honey Boo Boo and Toni Braxton and was ultimately won by singer Jewel, who performed as the “Queen of Hearts.” The first episode of the new season will air at 8 p.m. Et. Moira Ross, Craig Plestis and Nick Cannon serve as executive producers, and Ross also serves as showrunner.
Immediately following the “Masked Singer” will be the premiere of new competition series “Domino Masters.” Hosted by actor Eric Stonestreet, the show will follow sixteen teams of domino enthusiasts as they compete for a cash prize and the title of the country’s most talented domino topplers.
- 1/26/2022
- by Sasha Urban
- Variety Film + TV
Afternoon International Insiders, Max Goldbart here. Another busy week but we’ve got you covered with all the international headlines and analysis you need. To get this sent to your inbox every Friday, sign up here.
Rating The Streamers
BARBed move: It feels like industry bigwigs have been debating streamer ratings since the dawn of time but, this week, UK ratings body Barb moved a step closer to shutting down that debate. Netflix Co-CEO Reed Hastings told the Rts Cambridge in 2019 he “wanted Netflix on Barb”, the standardised ratings measurement that has buy-in from all UK linear channels and, while there has been little co-operation since, Barb has sidestepped the SVoDs and started publishing streamer ratings anyway.
“Once in a generation”: The “once in a generation” upgrade can now reveal how many people are watching Netflix shows in line with other broadcasters, using a program measurement system developed by Kantar.
Rating The Streamers
BARBed move: It feels like industry bigwigs have been debating streamer ratings since the dawn of time but, this week, UK ratings body Barb moved a step closer to shutting down that debate. Netflix Co-CEO Reed Hastings told the Rts Cambridge in 2019 he “wanted Netflix on Barb”, the standardised ratings measurement that has buy-in from all UK linear channels and, while there has been little co-operation since, Barb has sidestepped the SVoDs and started publishing streamer ratings anyway.
“Once in a generation”: The “once in a generation” upgrade can now reveal how many people are watching Netflix shows in line with other broadcasters, using a program measurement system developed by Kantar.
- 12/3/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The Season 11 finale of Fox franchise MasterChef was on the menu tonight, as hosts and judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, and Joe Bastianich tasted, toasted, and taunted their way through the show talent’s best dishes.
Abetted by guest stars and legends including Emeril Lagasse, Paula Deen, Roy Choi, Nancy Silverton and Morimoto, the season focused on 15 of the best home cooks in America. The finals came down to three female cooks, Autumn Moretti, Kelsey Murphy, and Suu Khin, who were joined by guest judge and chefs Curtis Stone and Michael Cimarusti.
**** Spoiler Alert: Do Not Read Past This Line If You Haven’t See Tonight’s Show
The winner of tonight’s MasterChef: Legends season finale was Indianapolis physical therapist Kelsey Murphy, who takes home a $250,000 grand prize, a complete Viking Kitchen and kitchen tools, and Bakeware products from Oxo.
“Winning MasterChef means everything!,” Murphy said in a statement.
Abetted by guest stars and legends including Emeril Lagasse, Paula Deen, Roy Choi, Nancy Silverton and Morimoto, the season focused on 15 of the best home cooks in America. The finals came down to three female cooks, Autumn Moretti, Kelsey Murphy, and Suu Khin, who were joined by guest judge and chefs Curtis Stone and Michael Cimarusti.
**** Spoiler Alert: Do Not Read Past This Line If You Haven’t See Tonight’s Show
The winner of tonight’s MasterChef: Legends season finale was Indianapolis physical therapist Kelsey Murphy, who takes home a $250,000 grand prize, a complete Viking Kitchen and kitchen tools, and Bakeware products from Oxo.
“Winning MasterChef means everything!,” Murphy said in a statement.
- 9/16/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
(Warning: This post contains spoilers for the Season 11 finale of Fox’s “MasterChef.”)
The 11th season of Fox’s “MasterChef” came to an end Wednesday by revealing which of the three finalists — Autumn Moretti, Kelsey Murphy or Suu Khin — was named MasterChef. And the winner of the “Legends” edition was… Kelsey Murphy!
Here is the official description Fox provided for tonight’s two-hour season-finale episode, on which Kelsey claimed the big prize: Legendary Chef Curtis Stone returns as a guest judge for the semifinals when the Top Three battle for a spot in the finale in the appetizer round. Then, Michelin star chef Michael Cimarusti is the final legend to grace the “MasterChef” kitchen and it’s the finalists’ last chance to impress with their entree and dessert dishes.
On Season 11 of “MasterChef,” hosts and judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez and Joe Bastianich invited the most respected culinary legends — including Emeril Lagasse,...
The 11th season of Fox’s “MasterChef” came to an end Wednesday by revealing which of the three finalists — Autumn Moretti, Kelsey Murphy or Suu Khin — was named MasterChef. And the winner of the “Legends” edition was… Kelsey Murphy!
Here is the official description Fox provided for tonight’s two-hour season-finale episode, on which Kelsey claimed the big prize: Legendary Chef Curtis Stone returns as a guest judge for the semifinals when the Top Three battle for a spot in the finale in the appetizer round. Then, Michelin star chef Michael Cimarusti is the final legend to grace the “MasterChef” kitchen and it’s the finalists’ last chance to impress with their entree and dessert dishes.
On Season 11 of “MasterChef,” hosts and judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez and Joe Bastianich invited the most respected culinary legends — including Emeril Lagasse,...
- 9/16/2021
- by Jennifer Maas
- The Wrap
“Masterchef” has been renewed for Season 12 at Fox. Judges Gordon Ramsay, Aarón Sánchez, and Joe Bastianich will all return for the new season.
“Obviously, Gordon is a good friend and, given the recent launch of Studio Ramsay Global, an important part of Fox’s programming and growth strategy,” said Rob Wade, president of alternative entertainment and specials for Fox Entertainment. “’Masterchef,’ Gordon, Aarón and Joe, and our fantastic partners at Esna, have been vital to Fox’s DNA. Even in its eleventh season, this show continues to impress by sustaining Fox’s success on Wednesdays this Summer. We anticipate this momentum to continue next year when ‘Masterchef’ returns for a much deserved Season 12.”
Per Fox, the cooking competition series is currently averaging 5 million viewers per episode in multi-platform viewing. “Masterchef” is produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato, and is based on a format created by Franc Roddam.
“Obviously, Gordon is a good friend and, given the recent launch of Studio Ramsay Global, an important part of Fox’s programming and growth strategy,” said Rob Wade, president of alternative entertainment and specials for Fox Entertainment. “’Masterchef,’ Gordon, Aarón and Joe, and our fantastic partners at Esna, have been vital to Fox’s DNA. Even in its eleventh season, this show continues to impress by sustaining Fox’s success on Wednesdays this Summer. We anticipate this momentum to continue next year when ‘Masterchef’ returns for a much deserved Season 12.”
Per Fox, the cooking competition series is currently averaging 5 million viewers per episode in multi-platform viewing. “Masterchef” is produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato, and is based on a format created by Franc Roddam.
- 8/18/2021
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Gordon Ramsay is returning to the kitchen for another season of MasterChef. Fox has renewed the hit cooking competition series, produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato, with Ramsay and fellow judges Aarón Sánchez and Joe Bastianich all returning for a 12th season.
“Obviously, Gordon is a good friend and, given the recent launch of Studio Ramsay Global, an important part of Fox’s programming and growth strategy,” said Rob Wade, President of Alternative Entertainment and Specials, Fox Entertainment. “MasterChef, Gordon, Aarón and Joe, and our fantastic partners at Esna, have been vital to Fox’s DNA. Even in its eleventh season, this show continues to impress by sustaining Fox’s success on Wednesdays this Summer. We anticipate this momentum to continue next year when MasterChef returns for a much deserved Season 12.”
MasterChef currently averages 5.0 million multi-platform viewers, according to Nielsen. Its telecasts this season, together with Crime Scene Kitchen,...
“Obviously, Gordon is a good friend and, given the recent launch of Studio Ramsay Global, an important part of Fox’s programming and growth strategy,” said Rob Wade, President of Alternative Entertainment and Specials, Fox Entertainment. “MasterChef, Gordon, Aarón and Joe, and our fantastic partners at Esna, have been vital to Fox’s DNA. Even in its eleventh season, this show continues to impress by sustaining Fox’s success on Wednesdays this Summer. We anticipate this momentum to continue next year when MasterChef returns for a much deserved Season 12.”
MasterChef currently averages 5.0 million multi-platform viewers, according to Nielsen. Its telecasts this season, together with Crime Scene Kitchen,...
- 8/18/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Fox is getting the ball rolling on its own dating format aspirations.
The network is piloting Masquerade Ball, a non-scripted entertainment format from Natalka Znak’s ZnakTV and Fox Alternative Entertainment.
The one-hour dating competition gives singles the opportunity to escape their regular lives and enter a period when romance was formal, dressing up was compulsory and the search for love was a serious affair.
In Masquerade Ball, there is no swiping or liking, rather singles must rely on their own wit and charm. Because, in this world, it’s who you are and not what you look like that really matters. It’s all about chemistry, body language and conversation. The centerpiece of every episode is the decadent Masquerade Ball, where our singles have just a few fleeting moments on the dance floor to impress. Can they make these brief conversations count in their efforts to find the...
The network is piloting Masquerade Ball, a non-scripted entertainment format from Natalka Znak’s ZnakTV and Fox Alternative Entertainment.
The one-hour dating competition gives singles the opportunity to escape their regular lives and enter a period when romance was formal, dressing up was compulsory and the search for love was a serious affair.
In Masquerade Ball, there is no swiping or liking, rather singles must rely on their own wit and charm. Because, in this world, it’s who you are and not what you look like that really matters. It’s all about chemistry, body language and conversation. The centerpiece of every episode is the decadent Masquerade Ball, where our singles have just a few fleeting moments on the dance floor to impress. Can they make these brief conversations count in their efforts to find the...
- 4/19/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: MasterChef is back in production on Season 11. Filming on the popular Fox food competition series resumed in Los Angeles on Monday, October 26, following a seven-month Covid-19-related shutdown. MasterChef had shot 10 of its 18 Season 11 episodes when production came to a halt in mid-March due to the corovavirus pandemic.
The show, which is produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato, is following guidelines set by local and state officials, as well as the CDC, in its return to production.
“The safety of the entire cast and crew has and is the number one priority,” producers said in a statement. “Given the Covid-19 restrictions placed on production, we are creating new and innovative ways to produce the series, while honoring its creative spirit. The behind-the-scenes culinary team, which has always followed all health department guidelines, is now taking additional precautions including wearing gloves, masks and face shields/goggles.
The show, which is produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato, is following guidelines set by local and state officials, as well as the CDC, in its return to production.
“The safety of the entire cast and crew has and is the number one priority,” producers said in a statement. “Given the Covid-19 restrictions placed on production, we are creating new and innovative ways to produce the series, while honoring its creative spirit. The behind-the-scenes culinary team, which has always followed all health department guidelines, is now taking additional precautions including wearing gloves, masks and face shields/goggles.
- 10/29/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Fox’s food competition format MasterChef was forced to shut down in March having filmed half of its 11th season.
The show, which is produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato, is now eyeing an October return to filming.
Deadline understands that the current plan is for production to pick back up around mid-to-late October. This would hopefully allow star and executive producer Gordon Ramsay, one of the judges, to return to LA from his home in the UK. As to be expected with all shows, this schedule remains flexible depending on the impact of the virus over the next few months.
The show, which will feature 18 episodes, will be produced with health and safety protocols front and center. Crew will wear PPE equipment and there will be the, now standard, Covid-19 testing and social distancing.
Danny Schrader and Natalka Znak are showrunners and exec produce alongside Ramsay,...
The show, which is produced by Endemol Shine North America and One Potato Two Potato, is now eyeing an October return to filming.
Deadline understands that the current plan is for production to pick back up around mid-to-late October. This would hopefully allow star and executive producer Gordon Ramsay, one of the judges, to return to LA from his home in the UK. As to be expected with all shows, this schedule remains flexible depending on the impact of the virus over the next few months.
The show, which will feature 18 episodes, will be produced with health and safety protocols front and center. Crew will wear PPE equipment and there will be the, now standard, Covid-19 testing and social distancing.
Danny Schrader and Natalka Znak are showrunners and exec produce alongside Ramsay,...
- 7/22/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The team behind Fox’s Ultimate Tag hope that NFL stars JJ Watt and his brothers Tj and Derek fronting a physical competition format will sate viewers missing out on live sports.
It’s certainly a bit louder than live marble racing.
The show, which is based on the playground game of chase or tag, essentially sees regular folk competing against a group of professional taggers, some are parkour experts, to vault, dodge, tumble and dive across a massive course to avoid getting caught. The show launches tonight, Wednesday May 20.
Natalka Znak, who runs the U.S./UK based production company Znak & Co and exec produces the show, alongside JJ Watt and Conrad Green, tells Deadline, “The timing has actually worked out well for us because we’ve got a sporty type show with three footballers hosting it, which is what everyone wants right now because there’s no sports.
It’s certainly a bit louder than live marble racing.
The show, which is based on the playground game of chase or tag, essentially sees regular folk competing against a group of professional taggers, some are parkour experts, to vault, dodge, tumble and dive across a massive course to avoid getting caught. The show launches tonight, Wednesday May 20.
Natalka Znak, who runs the U.S./UK based production company Znak & Co and exec produces the show, alongside JJ Watt and Conrad Green, tells Deadline, “The timing has actually worked out well for us because we’ve got a sporty type show with three footballers hosting it, which is what everyone wants right now because there’s no sports.
- 5/20/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Fox has dropped its first teaser trailer for physical competition format Ultimate Tag and has set its premiere launch for May 20.
The show, which launches at 9 pm, was also designed for a summer run, and with all episodes in the can, it is one of the few non-scripted shows that hasn’t been interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Ultimate Tag is hosted by NFL players J.J., T.J. and Derek Watt and is based on a classic playground game.
The high-octane series follows competitors who must vault, dodge, tumble and dive their way through several different three-dimensional courses. All the while, the contestants will be chased by resident Taggers.
It is the...
The show, which launches at 9 pm, was also designed for a summer run, and with all episodes in the can, it is one of the few non-scripted shows that hasn’t been interrupted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Ultimate Tag is hosted by NFL players J.J., T.J. and Derek Watt and is based on a classic playground game.
The high-octane series follows competitors who must vault, dodge, tumble and dive their way through several different three-dimensional courses. All the while, the contestants will be chased by resident Taggers.
It is the...
- 4/1/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Editors’ Note: The television business is in a state of flux as the global coronavirus pandemic continues to claim thousands of lives and hit the economy. This is one of several stories that will look at how the non-scripted industry is dealing with the crisis.
During the 2007-2009 recession, shows like CBS’ Undercover Boss and History’s Pawn Stars launched, striking a chord with viewers. There is, once again, optimism in the unscripted community that they can help lift the nation’s spirits during the current global pandemic, which also could throw the U.S. into recession. Additionally, reality is more nimble than drama and comedy in getting original programming on the air.
“I think there’s going to be a ton of opportunity for non-scripted,” David George, CEO of ITV America, tells Deadline. “If you go back to the last economic downturn, you saw unscripted pop out of that and even going back to the writers’ strike, there was a non-scripted boom out of that. The ability to get stuff on air quicker is going to see increased demand and we’re already deep in discussions with what we’re developing at the moment, what we’ll take out once this lifts and what we’re doing long-term.”
Eli Holzman, CEO of Industrial Media, previously ran Studio Lambert USA, which first aired Undercover Boss on CBS in 2010, not long after the Great Recession. Although the show, developed by Stephen Lambert and first commissioned by Channel 4 in the UK, was developed pre-crash, Holzman says it struck the right tone to become a hit.
“It was optimistic; it was a time when we were seeing CEOs getting berated in front of Congress and here was some execs interested in what their staff were doing. I absolutely think we will see that sort of thing – uplifting, heart-warming formats – emerge now, whether it’s silly memes that we’re all sending each other or looking for light fare to watch at night, we all need a bit of that. All we’ve been doing is dreaming up ideas that we can film under these conditions, things that might work right now and would be ready to go, that’s our focus,” he says.
Another show that succeeded out of the back of the last crash was History’s Pawn Stars. The show, which was produced by Leftfield Pictures, launched in July 2009. Leftfield founder Brent Montgomery, who now runs Wheelhouse Group, tells Deadline, “We were very fortunate that on the back of the last global recession, we decided to self-fund a bunch of sizzle reels when people were taking their marbles home and one of them happened to be Pawn Stars. I think we’ll look back in a few years and each development team will be able to say that was a Corona-timed idea that we only came up with because of what happened.”
The coronavirus is a very different beast compared with the last financial crash, but many are hoping something good comes out of this chaos. Znak & Co. founder Natalka Znak (Fox’s Ultimate Tag) says her team is figuring out what kind of social experiments might work when this clears up and that tone is particularly important. “Everybody is trying to work out what that interesting, hit show that comes out of this or a new way of making shows. All fear aside, given that it feels like the end of the world, something interesting is going to come out of this,” she adds.
ITV America, similarly, is looking at what shows might appeal to broadcasters when the epidemic is over. It is hoping to secure a U.S. remake of British physical quiz show Catchpoint, and is considering bringing U.S. contestants over to film on the BBC set once allowed. It also going to take another stab at 5 Gold Rings, which was piloted at NBC, and has seen Stateside interest in Rat in the Kitchen, a cross between The Masked Singer and Hell’s Kitchen, which is in development with the BBC.
Non-scripted buyers say they are open for business and many are trying to be proactive to find workarounds, but there are question marks about how much cash they are willing to spend, particularly on projects that might not be at the same level that they’re used to, and there are a plethora of other problems including what to do with their late-night schedules.
Industrial Media’s Holzman, whose company is involved in shows such as American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance and TLC’s 90 Day Fiance, adds, “I’ve heard about straight-to-series orders rolling in at an accelerated rate, both for things that might be able to be produced now but also for shows that could be produced the moment that the more austere restrictions around production are relaxed, something that could be up and running quickly. Non-scripted absolutely has an advantage over scripted in these times.”
Ari Mark, co-founder and co-president of Cooper’s Treasure and Cold Case Files producer Ample Entertainment, says that while networks say they are open for business, one of the downsides of the coronavirus is not being able to go and pitch face-to-face. Ample has a project set with Mark Wahlberg, and he jokes that while buyers will take an email pitch or via Zoom, they’d rather spend time with the Spenser Confidential star than him. “It’s a nightmare because momentum is everything in this business and most producers aren’t patient,” he adds.
The company was also lucky in terms of timing with its History documentary series The Lost Gold of World War II, which just finished filming its second season in the Philippines and is now fully in post to meet an earlier-than-planned delivery alongside The Curse of Oak Island.
Tony Tackaberry, who runs Cash Cab producer Lion Television USA, calls it a “pretty, bloody crazy” time and a daily process of adapting. The All3Media-owned company is currently producing Season 2 of crime series Caught on Camera for Investigation Discovery and Tackaberry says that show is a model for its “corona-proof” development as it’s shot entirely on Skype and using archive. Surprisingly, the company recently scored a greenlight for an engineering doc series shot entirely in China. “You can imagine our surprise. It also tells you about where China is [with the virus] and that there’s a little light at the end of the tunnel.”
While he adds that these types of situations bring out creativity and innovation, he cautions, “You don’t want to be too much of an ambulance chaser or opportunist.”
Laura Michalchyshyn, chief creative officer and co-president of content at Blue Ant Studios, producer of Netflix’s The Healing Power of Dude, tells Deadline, “We are hearing from buyers that though it’s not necessarily ‘business as usual,’ it’s business now virtual. We’ve been having active conversations with buyers across the world about their immediate content needs to fill any holes that this scenario has created, as well as their future needs. As the industry is recalibrating, we’ve continued to hold digital meetings with our partners and buyers via FaceTime and Zoom, and have conducted several successful pitch meetings using these channels.”
Znak, who had to shut down prison shoots for the Netflix true-crime series I Am Killer, agrees that the challenge now is to come up with “virus-friendly” shows and production models.
“Clearly clip shows and archive shows are virus friendly, they can be done remotely, shows that we can repackage. Then there’s the shows that you can produce with a minimum amount of people in the near future,” she adds.
Toronto-based producer Cream Productions, which is making docu-drama Age of Samurai for Netflix, is in post with The Story of Late Night doc series for CNN. CEO David Brady says it is working up a variety of clip shows, or archive shows, as he prefers to call them. “There are also a lot of people at home, even celebrities, that are a bit bored so if we can find a way to Skype with them or film them remotely, they are available.”
Nancy Glass, boss of Heartland Docs producer Glass Entertainment Group, had to call back crews from six shows including Lincoln: An American President for CNN and Hgtv’s Frozen in Time with Maureen McCormick, but is editing the first four of eight episodes of the reality series featuring the onetime Marcia Brady, while drinking “Quarantinis” during Zoom happy hours with her staff. “What’s interesting is not the aftermath of the outbreak but how will it affect people’s attitudes towards what they’re watching. Will they want to watch upscale shows when they’ve lost all of their money?” she adds.
“It’s like Mike Tyson said, ‘Everyone’s got a plan until they get punched in the face’, Wheelhouse’s Montgomery jokes. “But unscripted has always been resilient and there will be a great opportunity out of this chaos.”...
During the 2007-2009 recession, shows like CBS’ Undercover Boss and History’s Pawn Stars launched, striking a chord with viewers. There is, once again, optimism in the unscripted community that they can help lift the nation’s spirits during the current global pandemic, which also could throw the U.S. into recession. Additionally, reality is more nimble than drama and comedy in getting original programming on the air.
“I think there’s going to be a ton of opportunity for non-scripted,” David George, CEO of ITV America, tells Deadline. “If you go back to the last economic downturn, you saw unscripted pop out of that and even going back to the writers’ strike, there was a non-scripted boom out of that. The ability to get stuff on air quicker is going to see increased demand and we’re already deep in discussions with what we’re developing at the moment, what we’ll take out once this lifts and what we’re doing long-term.”
Eli Holzman, CEO of Industrial Media, previously ran Studio Lambert USA, which first aired Undercover Boss on CBS in 2010, not long after the Great Recession. Although the show, developed by Stephen Lambert and first commissioned by Channel 4 in the UK, was developed pre-crash, Holzman says it struck the right tone to become a hit.
“It was optimistic; it was a time when we were seeing CEOs getting berated in front of Congress and here was some execs interested in what their staff were doing. I absolutely think we will see that sort of thing – uplifting, heart-warming formats – emerge now, whether it’s silly memes that we’re all sending each other or looking for light fare to watch at night, we all need a bit of that. All we’ve been doing is dreaming up ideas that we can film under these conditions, things that might work right now and would be ready to go, that’s our focus,” he says.
Another show that succeeded out of the back of the last crash was History’s Pawn Stars. The show, which was produced by Leftfield Pictures, launched in July 2009. Leftfield founder Brent Montgomery, who now runs Wheelhouse Group, tells Deadline, “We were very fortunate that on the back of the last global recession, we decided to self-fund a bunch of sizzle reels when people were taking their marbles home and one of them happened to be Pawn Stars. I think we’ll look back in a few years and each development team will be able to say that was a Corona-timed idea that we only came up with because of what happened.”
The coronavirus is a very different beast compared with the last financial crash, but many are hoping something good comes out of this chaos. Znak & Co. founder Natalka Znak (Fox’s Ultimate Tag) says her team is figuring out what kind of social experiments might work when this clears up and that tone is particularly important. “Everybody is trying to work out what that interesting, hit show that comes out of this or a new way of making shows. All fear aside, given that it feels like the end of the world, something interesting is going to come out of this,” she adds.
ITV America, similarly, is looking at what shows might appeal to broadcasters when the epidemic is over. It is hoping to secure a U.S. remake of British physical quiz show Catchpoint, and is considering bringing U.S. contestants over to film on the BBC set once allowed. It also going to take another stab at 5 Gold Rings, which was piloted at NBC, and has seen Stateside interest in Rat in the Kitchen, a cross between The Masked Singer and Hell’s Kitchen, which is in development with the BBC.
Non-scripted buyers say they are open for business and many are trying to be proactive to find workarounds, but there are question marks about how much cash they are willing to spend, particularly on projects that might not be at the same level that they’re used to, and there are a plethora of other problems including what to do with their late-night schedules.
Industrial Media’s Holzman, whose company is involved in shows such as American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance and TLC’s 90 Day Fiance, adds, “I’ve heard about straight-to-series orders rolling in at an accelerated rate, both for things that might be able to be produced now but also for shows that could be produced the moment that the more austere restrictions around production are relaxed, something that could be up and running quickly. Non-scripted absolutely has an advantage over scripted in these times.”
Ari Mark, co-founder and co-president of Cooper’s Treasure and Cold Case Files producer Ample Entertainment, says that while networks say they are open for business, one of the downsides of the coronavirus is not being able to go and pitch face-to-face. Ample has a project set with Mark Wahlberg, and he jokes that while buyers will take an email pitch or via Zoom, they’d rather spend time with the Spenser Confidential star than him. “It’s a nightmare because momentum is everything in this business and most producers aren’t patient,” he adds.
The company was also lucky in terms of timing with its History documentary series The Lost Gold of World War II, which just finished filming its second season in the Philippines and is now fully in post to meet an earlier-than-planned delivery alongside The Curse of Oak Island.
Tony Tackaberry, who runs Cash Cab producer Lion Television USA, calls it a “pretty, bloody crazy” time and a daily process of adapting. The All3Media-owned company is currently producing Season 2 of crime series Caught on Camera for Investigation Discovery and Tackaberry says that show is a model for its “corona-proof” development as it’s shot entirely on Skype and using archive. Surprisingly, the company recently scored a greenlight for an engineering doc series shot entirely in China. “You can imagine our surprise. It also tells you about where China is [with the virus] and that there’s a little light at the end of the tunnel.”
While he adds that these types of situations bring out creativity and innovation, he cautions, “You don’t want to be too much of an ambulance chaser or opportunist.”
Laura Michalchyshyn, chief creative officer and co-president of content at Blue Ant Studios, producer of Netflix’s The Healing Power of Dude, tells Deadline, “We are hearing from buyers that though it’s not necessarily ‘business as usual,’ it’s business now virtual. We’ve been having active conversations with buyers across the world about their immediate content needs to fill any holes that this scenario has created, as well as their future needs. As the industry is recalibrating, we’ve continued to hold digital meetings with our partners and buyers via FaceTime and Zoom, and have conducted several successful pitch meetings using these channels.”
Znak, who had to shut down prison shoots for the Netflix true-crime series I Am Killer, agrees that the challenge now is to come up with “virus-friendly” shows and production models.
“Clearly clip shows and archive shows are virus friendly, they can be done remotely, shows that we can repackage. Then there’s the shows that you can produce with a minimum amount of people in the near future,” she adds.
Toronto-based producer Cream Productions, which is making docu-drama Age of Samurai for Netflix, is in post with The Story of Late Night doc series for CNN. CEO David Brady says it is working up a variety of clip shows, or archive shows, as he prefers to call them. “There are also a lot of people at home, even celebrities, that are a bit bored so if we can find a way to Skype with them or film them remotely, they are available.”
Nancy Glass, boss of Heartland Docs producer Glass Entertainment Group, had to call back crews from six shows including Lincoln: An American President for CNN and Hgtv’s Frozen in Time with Maureen McCormick, but is editing the first four of eight episodes of the reality series featuring the onetime Marcia Brady, while drinking “Quarantinis” during Zoom happy hours with her staff. “What’s interesting is not the aftermath of the outbreak but how will it affect people’s attitudes towards what they’re watching. Will they want to watch upscale shows when they’ve lost all of their money?” she adds.
“It’s like Mike Tyson said, ‘Everyone’s got a plan until they get punched in the face’, Wheelhouse’s Montgomery jokes. “But unscripted has always been resilient and there will be a great opportunity out of this chaos.”...
- 3/26/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Znak & Co is the latest TV production company to launch a podcast division and its Westworld fan show spin-off is its first project in the medium.
The production company, run by Natalka Znak, is moving West: Word, its weekly talk show based on the HBO drama, from television, where it airs on British broadcaster Sky Atlantic, to a podcast.
The show is hosted by Lauren Laverne, BBC Radio 6 Music host and former lead singer of indie rock band Kenickie, and Jamie East. The podcast will feature a slew of guests including the show’s cast, crew and creators. The drama returns later this month.
Separately, the company, which is producing Fox’s upcoming reality series Ultimate Tag and season two of true-crime doc series I Am A Killer for Netflix, has struck a partnership with UK-based podcast production company Coex Studios. The two companies will create, develop and produce nonfiction audio programming.
The production company, run by Natalka Znak, is moving West: Word, its weekly talk show based on the HBO drama, from television, where it airs on British broadcaster Sky Atlantic, to a podcast.
The show is hosted by Lauren Laverne, BBC Radio 6 Music host and former lead singer of indie rock band Kenickie, and Jamie East. The podcast will feature a slew of guests including the show’s cast, crew and creators. The drama returns later this month.
Separately, the company, which is producing Fox’s upcoming reality series Ultimate Tag and season two of true-crime doc series I Am A Killer for Netflix, has struck a partnership with UK-based podcast production company Coex Studios. The two companies will create, develop and produce nonfiction audio programming.
- 3/10/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
“MasterChef Junior” will return for an eighth season with new judge Daphne Oz.
Oz will replace Christina Tosi on the judges’ panel, joining chefs Gordon Ramsay and Aaron Sanchez to crown the next winner in the new season.
In the upcoming season, the young contestants will cook up meals at locations including a renaissance fair and motocross track. Ramsay’s daughter Tilly will return to the show for a special donut contest.
The show’s twitter account sent out several tweets welcoming its newest judge. One tweet shared a video of Oz showcasing her culinary judging skills on her own small children. In the video, she asks her kids, “Are we going to learn a lot from these kids? Are we going to becoming better cooks from watching these kids and learning to cook? Are you guys going to become great too?”
Season 8 is cookin' up nicely. Please welcome Chef...
Oz will replace Christina Tosi on the judges’ panel, joining chefs Gordon Ramsay and Aaron Sanchez to crown the next winner in the new season.
In the upcoming season, the young contestants will cook up meals at locations including a renaissance fair and motocross track. Ramsay’s daughter Tilly will return to the show for a special donut contest.
The show’s twitter account sent out several tweets welcoming its newest judge. One tweet shared a video of Oz showcasing her culinary judging skills on her own small children. In the video, she asks her kids, “Are we going to learn a lot from these kids? Are we going to becoming better cooks from watching these kids and learning to cook? Are you guys going to become great too?”
Season 8 is cookin' up nicely. Please welcome Chef...
- 7/17/2019
- by Dano Nissen
- Variety Film + TV
Fox has renewed Gordan Ramsay’s hit kids cooking competition series MasterChef Junior for an eighth season. Additionally, former The Chew co-host Daphne Oz is joining the reality competition series as a judge for Season 8.
In the new season, the pint-sized contestants will cook a meal for diners at a historical renaissance fair and size up against monster trucks at a motocross track. Ramsay’s daughter, Tilly Ramsay, also will return to the MasterChef kitchen for a donut contest. When all is said and done, one talented kid will be named America’s newest MasterChef Junior, taking home the trophy and $100,000 grand prize.
Oz is an Emmy-winning television host, New York Times-bestselling author, chef and entrepreneur focused on innovation in food and beverage, beauty, wellness, fashion and media. She was previously co-host of The Chew for six seasons, and is currently one of the co-hosts of The Dish on Oz,...
In the new season, the pint-sized contestants will cook a meal for diners at a historical renaissance fair and size up against monster trucks at a motocross track. Ramsay’s daughter, Tilly Ramsay, also will return to the MasterChef kitchen for a donut contest. When all is said and done, one talented kid will be named America’s newest MasterChef Junior, taking home the trophy and $100,000 grand prize.
Oz is an Emmy-winning television host, New York Times-bestselling author, chef and entrepreneur focused on innovation in food and beverage, beauty, wellness, fashion and media. She was previously co-host of The Chew for six seasons, and is currently one of the co-hosts of The Dish on Oz,...
- 7/17/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
As the team behind “MasterChef” prepared to produce its 10th season, one key theme emerged: They had to be bigger and bolder, not only to continue to entice the audience to tune in live, now twice a week instead of only once, but also to celebrate just how far the unscripted cooking competition has come.
“I never want to sit on my laurels,” says executive producer, host and judge Gordon Ramsay. “I treat ‘MasterChef’ like running a restaurant in terms of, you need to be creative every year, and like customers in any restaurant vote with their feet, viewers vote with their controllers.”
A staple of Fox’s summer lineup since 2010, the Endemol Shine/Studio Ramsay-produced series has averaged 4.79 million live+same day viewers over its first nine seasons, becoming a utility player for the network as it moved around on the schedule season after season but consistently performed as the No.
“I never want to sit on my laurels,” says executive producer, host and judge Gordon Ramsay. “I treat ‘MasterChef’ like running a restaurant in terms of, you need to be creative every year, and like customers in any restaurant vote with their feet, viewers vote with their controllers.”
A staple of Fox’s summer lineup since 2010, the Endemol Shine/Studio Ramsay-produced series has averaged 4.79 million live+same day viewers over its first nine seasons, becoming a utility player for the network as it moved around on the schedule season after season but consistently performed as the No.
- 5/28/2019
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
NFL players J.J., T.J. and Derek Watt are to front a physical competition format based on a classic playground game for Fox.
The broadcaster has ordered Ultimate Tag from Znak & Co, the production company run by Masterchef exec producer Natalka Znak.
The high-octane series, based on the playground game where players must chase each other in order to tag the other one, will launch on the network in 2020. It is the latest on-screen portrayal of the game following the theatrical success of New Line Cinema’s Tag, which starred Ed Helms, John Hamm and Jeremy Renner and was based on a Wall Street Journal article about a group of guys that have played a game of tag since they were young.
It is hosted by the Watt brothers; J.J. plays for the Houston Texans and has been AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year a number...
The broadcaster has ordered Ultimate Tag from Znak & Co, the production company run by Masterchef exec producer Natalka Znak.
The high-octane series, based on the playground game where players must chase each other in order to tag the other one, will launch on the network in 2020. It is the latest on-screen portrayal of the game following the theatrical success of New Line Cinema’s Tag, which starred Ed Helms, John Hamm and Jeremy Renner and was based on a Wall Street Journal article about a group of guys that have played a game of tag since they were young.
It is hosted by the Watt brothers; J.J. plays for the Houston Texans and has been AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year a number...
- 5/13/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
For those family Thanksgiving gatherings that tend go south, here’s a new recipe: Let Gordon Ramsay do the yelling this year. Fox has set aMasterChef Junior: Celebrity Showdown special to air at 8 Pm Et/Pt on turkey day, right after its football game. Guests will include primetime stars and a couple of NFL Hall of Famers/reality competition winners.
Ramsay and chef Aarón Sánchez will keep watch as celebrities, their kids and some fan-favorite alumni show off their culinary skills in multiple challenges. Guests will include Terrence Howard, Eric Stonestreet, Alyson Hannigan, Lil Ren Howery and football legends Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith, both alums of Dancing with the Stars.
The two-hour special features three unique battles, putting each celebrity competitor to the test- with more than bragging rights at stake: Each winner with receive $25,000 for his or her charity of choice. Contestants also will face their challenges with...
Ramsay and chef Aarón Sánchez will keep watch as celebrities, their kids and some fan-favorite alumni show off their culinary skills in multiple challenges. Guests will include Terrence Howard, Eric Stonestreet, Alyson Hannigan, Lil Ren Howery and football legends Jerry Rice and Emmitt Smith, both alums of Dancing with the Stars.
The two-hour special features three unique battles, putting each celebrity competitor to the test- with more than bragging rights at stake: Each winner with receive $25,000 for his or her charity of choice. Contestants also will face their challenges with...
- 10/24/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
“MasterChef” has been renewed for Season 10 at Fox.
Season 10 will air during the 2018-2019 season. The announcement comes just ahead of the Season 9 finale, which airs Wednesday night at 8 p.m. In the two-hour finale, the three remaining home cooks will face their final challenge when they are each asked to prepare a three-course menu for the judges. The home cook with the best overall menu will be crowned the winner. Season 9 has been averaging 6.4 million viewers per episode in multi-platform viewing, according to Fox.
The show will hold a series of casting calls across the country for Season 10 beginning in September. Host Gordon Ramsay’s culinary team will join the casting crew on the road in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas. The first two cities will hold the casting calls on Sept. 22, while the latter two will be held on Sept. 29.
“MasterChef” is produced by Endemol Shine North America...
Season 10 will air during the 2018-2019 season. The announcement comes just ahead of the Season 9 finale, which airs Wednesday night at 8 p.m. In the two-hour finale, the three remaining home cooks will face their final challenge when they are each asked to prepare a three-course menu for the judges. The home cook with the best overall menu will be crowned the winner. Season 9 has been averaging 6.4 million viewers per episode in multi-platform viewing, according to Fox.
The show will hold a series of casting calls across the country for Season 10 beginning in September. Host Gordon Ramsay’s culinary team will join the casting crew on the road in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Dallas. The first two cities will hold the casting calls on Sept. 22, while the latter two will be held on Sept. 29.
“MasterChef” is produced by Endemol Shine North America...
- 9/19/2018
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Because Gordon Ramsay apparently isn’t busy enough, Fox has ordered a 10th season of his MasterChef. The renewal of the unscripted hit from Endemol Shine comes ahead of tonight’s Season 9 finale.
The network also said today that Natalka Znak (Hardcore Pawn) has joined the show as executive producer.
Nationwide casting calls for Season 10 have begun and will continue throughout September as MasterChef looks for the next batch of home cooks to compete for the coveted white apron. And, for the first time ever, Ramsay’s own culinary team will be hitting the road with the casting team to be his eyes and ears — checking out potential contestants and tasting their culinary creations.
The irascible Ramsay’s full plate also includes or has included such U.S. culinary reality series as spinoff MasterChef Junior, 24 Hours to Hell and Back, Hell’s Kitchen and Culinary Genius. He also fronts multiple series on British TV.
The network also said today that Natalka Znak (Hardcore Pawn) has joined the show as executive producer.
Nationwide casting calls for Season 10 have begun and will continue throughout September as MasterChef looks for the next batch of home cooks to compete for the coveted white apron. And, for the first time ever, Ramsay’s own culinary team will be hitting the road with the casting team to be his eyes and ears — checking out potential contestants and tasting their culinary creations.
The irascible Ramsay’s full plate also includes or has included such U.S. culinary reality series as spinoff MasterChef Junior, 24 Hours to Hell and Back, Hell’s Kitchen and Culinary Genius. He also fronts multiple series on British TV.
- 9/19/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sky’s entertainment format Revolution may be reminiscent of Rollerball but the British pay-tv broadcaster is set to soften the edges with a pair of kids’ spin-offs. I hear that the network is currently casting for two youth-skewing takes on the Znak & Co.-produced show.
Sky is currently searching for kids aged five to 12 with a passion for action sports to appear in Revolution: Skills and has also ordered Revolution Cuts, based on the big-budget skateboarding and BMX format. It is looking for skateboarders, BMXers, rollerbladers and scooter kids. Revolution Skills will see the pros teach kids tricks, while Revolution Cuts is a compilation of the original series aimed at youngsters. Both are fifteen episodes of ten minutes.
Motion Content Group, the rebranded GroupM Entertainment run by Richard Foster, is co-producing alongside Natalka Znak’s transatlantic indie.
The show is one of Sky One’s latest high-end entertainment...
Sky is currently searching for kids aged five to 12 with a passion for action sports to appear in Revolution: Skills and has also ordered Revolution Cuts, based on the big-budget skateboarding and BMX format. It is looking for skateboarders, BMXers, rollerbladers and scooter kids. Revolution Skills will see the pros teach kids tricks, while Revolution Cuts is a compilation of the original series aimed at youngsters. Both are fifteen episodes of ten minutes.
Motion Content Group, the rebranded GroupM Entertainment run by Richard Foster, is co-producing alongside Natalka Znak’s transatlantic indie.
The show is one of Sky One’s latest high-end entertainment...
- 4/27/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Natalka Znak has revealed how Fox boarded a pilot for Rollerball-style British entertainment format Revolution.
The I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here producer, who runs U.S./UK production company Znak & Co., scored a U.S. pilot for the big-budget skateboarding and BMX format after securing a series from British pay-tv broadcaster Sky.
The show, which launched in the UK earlier this year, is a, large-scale competition format in which contestants will compete across a series of urban sports-style challenges including skateboarding, rollerblading and BMX.
“I sold it to Fox in quite possibly the worst pitch of all time because I couldn’t get any of my materials or the tape to play but then I just told them about the show and they absolutely loved. They said it’s like Ninja Warrior, in the sense that it’s exciting, it’s sport, it’s got very strong characters,...
The I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here producer, who runs U.S./UK production company Znak & Co., scored a U.S. pilot for the big-budget skateboarding and BMX format after securing a series from British pay-tv broadcaster Sky.
The show, which launched in the UK earlier this year, is a, large-scale competition format in which contestants will compete across a series of urban sports-style challenges including skateboarding, rollerblading and BMX.
“I sold it to Fox in quite possibly the worst pitch of all time because I couldn’t get any of my materials or the tape to play but then I just told them about the show and they absolutely loved. They said it’s like Ninja Warrior, in the sense that it’s exciting, it’s sport, it’s got very strong characters,...
- 4/23/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Natalka Znak & Simon Jones' international TV production company Znak&Jones and entrepreneur and hip hop artist Will.i.am have teamed on new singing game competition format Superdope. We hear Will.i.am serves as host and mentor on the show, with his Black Eyed Peas bandmates performing and helping as mentors on the show alongside him. The show, which is filmed in L.A., is currently being shopped to U.S. and UK broadcasters. We hear several are interested, including Apple…...
- 7/19/2016
- Deadline TV
Oscar and Grammy winner Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom) and Znak&Jones are partnering to produce The Mars Generation, a feature-length documentary that looks through the eyes of children who one day might walk on the Red Planet. Neville also is exec producing with Znak&Jones’ Natalka Znak and Simon Jones, and Amy Janes. The Mars Generation will focus on the emotional and human journey that propels mankind deeper into the universe, with the hope of one day being able…...
- 6/25/2015
- Deadline TV
U.K. pay TV giant BSkyB has acquired a stake in recently formed transatlantic TV producer Znak & Jones Productions. The firm is led by industry veterans Natalka Znak (I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Hell’s Kitchen) and Simon Jones (American Idol). With offices in Los Angeles, London and Atlanta, Znak & Jones focuses on developing original productions as well as sell and adapt international formats for both the U.S. and U.K. markets. Financial terms of the BSkyB deal and the size of the company's stake weren't disclosed, but the equity share is understood
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- 9/4/2014
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
ITV is reviving musical gameshow Name That Tune.
The broadcaster has inked a deal with Natalka Znak's new independent production company, and has commissioned a 60-minute pilot using the classic format, Broadcast Now reports.
Fifteen to One, Catchphrase: Which other gameshows should be revived?
Name That Tune features two contestants faced with a series of questions to test their musical knowledge. It was originally launched in the Us on NBC, before launching in the UK on Granada Television in 1956.
The gameshow was previously revived by ITV for a twelve-year run in 1976, before Channel 5 commissioned two series in 1997, which were fronted by Jools Holland.
ITV last used the format on Vernon Kay's Gameshow Marathon in 2007. It is the latest light entertainment revival for the broadcaster, following the returns of Surprise Surprise and Catchphrase.
The proposed series will be produced by Strictly Come Dancing and The Jump's Glenn Coomber.
The broadcaster has inked a deal with Natalka Znak's new independent production company, and has commissioned a 60-minute pilot using the classic format, Broadcast Now reports.
Fifteen to One, Catchphrase: Which other gameshows should be revived?
Name That Tune features two contestants faced with a series of questions to test their musical knowledge. It was originally launched in the Us on NBC, before launching in the UK on Granada Television in 1956.
The gameshow was previously revived by ITV for a twelve-year run in 1976, before Channel 5 commissioned two series in 1997, which were fronted by Jools Holland.
ITV last used the format on Vernon Kay's Gameshow Marathon in 2007. It is the latest light entertainment revival for the broadcaster, following the returns of Surprise Surprise and Catchphrase.
The proposed series will be produced by Strictly Come Dancing and The Jump's Glenn Coomber.
- 6/20/2014
- Digital Spy
Exclusive: ABC has ordered three more episodes of Celebrity Wife Swap. That brings the total episode count for this cycle to nine. Three have been scheduled and have been airing Tuesdays 8 Pm until new reality series Splash premieres March 19. The three additional episodes, along with the three remaining ones from the current order, will make for a six-episode cycle that is expected to air over the summer. Additionally, seven episodes of the original, non-celebrity Wife Swap, will start airing on Thursdays at 8 Pm beginning March 21. The current Celebrity Wife Swap mini-cycle started off strong with the February 26 episode featuring reality/tabloid stars Kate Gosselin and Kendra Wilkinson, which nabbed a 2.4 rating in adults 18-49. The second episode, featuring singers Coolio and Mark McGrath, didn’t fare as well. Still, Celebrity Wife Swap is improving ABC’s time period by 25% vs. last year in 18-49. The next and final installment in this run,...
- 3/8/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Zodiak USA CEO Natalka Znak will be leaving her post. She will exit at the end of March, when her contract expires. Znak's departure is amicable, and the company did not name a replacement. "Natalka has been a fantastic producer and leader for us over the past three years. We're sorry to see her go and wish her the best in her future endeavors," said Zodiak Americas CEO Jonathan Slow. Znak was officially named CEO of Zodiak USA in July, overseeing the company’s production offices in Los Angeles and New York and managing a slate that included ABC’s Secret Millionaire
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- 3/8/2013
- by Philiana Ng
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Natalka Znak will leave Zodiak USA at the end of her contract next month. Znak moved to Los Angeles from her native Britain in early 2010 to become Evp of then-Rdf USA and was named Chief Creative Officer in March of that year, shortly after Grant Mansfield joined the company as CEO. Last June, Znak was upped to CEO, replacing Mansfield who returned to the UK. Then in July, Zodiak Media consolidated its production businesses in North, Central and South America, including Zodiak USA, into Zodiak Americas and tapped Jonny Slow as Zodiak Americas CEO. “Natalka has been a fantastic producer and leader for us over the past three years,” Slow said. “We’re sorry to see her go, and wish her the best in her future endeavors.” At Zodiak USA, Znak sold around 20 shows, and will continue to work on several projects until her exit. She won’t be replaced.
- 3/8/2013
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
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