Keshet International and Sixty-Six Media are developing a new limited television series about Leonard Cohen’s 1973 visit and performance in the Sinai desert during the 1973 Arab-Israeli War (also known as the Yom Kippur War). According to Variety, Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai is a dramatized adaptation of Matti Friedman’s book of the same name, which tells the story of Cohen’s legendary concert on the frontlines of war. It is scheduled to shoot in Israel in 2024 and will be written by Yehonatan Indursky (Shtisel) and executive produced by Sixty-Six Media’s Jill Offman, Ki’s Atar Dekel, and Keshet Broadcasting’s Yuval Horowitz. “In October 1973, the poet and singer Leonard Cohen – 39 years old, famous, unhappy, and at a creative dead end – traveled to the Sinai desert and inserted himself into the chaos and blood,” reads the show’s official logline. “Moving around the front with a...
- 11/28/2022
- TV Insider
Leonard Cohen’s 1973 visit to the frontlines of the Yom Kippur war is set to be dramatized in a new limited TV series from Keshet International and Sixty-Six Media.
“Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai” is an adaptation of Matti Friedman’s book of the same name, which tells the story of Cohen’s 1973 concert on the frontlines of war.
“In October 1973 the poet and singer Leonard Cohen – 39 years old, famous, unhappy, and at a creative dead end – traveled to the Sinai desert and inserted himself into the chaos and blood of the Yom Kippur War,” reads the logline. “Moving around the front with a guitar and a pick-up team of local musicians, Cohen dived headlong into a global crisis and met hundreds of fighting men and women at the worst moment of their lives. Cohen’s audience knew his songs might be the last thing they heard,...
“Who by Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai” is an adaptation of Matti Friedman’s book of the same name, which tells the story of Cohen’s 1973 concert on the frontlines of war.
“In October 1973 the poet and singer Leonard Cohen – 39 years old, famous, unhappy, and at a creative dead end – traveled to the Sinai desert and inserted himself into the chaos and blood of the Yom Kippur War,” reads the logline. “Moving around the front with a guitar and a pick-up team of local musicians, Cohen dived headlong into a global crisis and met hundreds of fighting men and women at the worst moment of their lives. Cohen’s audience knew his songs might be the last thing they heard,...
- 11/28/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Leonard Cohen’s transformative tour of Israel at the height of the 1973 Yom Kippur War is to be made into a limited TV drama series by Shtisel creator Yehonatan Indursky, Keshet International and Jill Offman’s Sixty-Six Media.
Israeli network Keshet 12’s Who By Fire is based on New York Times columnist Matti Friedman’s bestseller Who By Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai and will shoot in Israel in 2024, with Indursky writing and former Viacom International Studios UK chief Offman exec producing alongside Keshet’s Atar Dekel and Yuval Horowitz.
Keshet 12 is the local broadcaster and distributor Keshet International is now seeking to bring international broadcast partners on board.
The show will follow the Hallelujah singer’s infamous trip to the Sinai desert 50 years ago at the height of the Yom Kippur War, when he was at a creative dead end. There, the now-deceased singer picked up a...
Israeli network Keshet 12’s Who By Fire is based on New York Times columnist Matti Friedman’s bestseller Who By Fire: Leonard Cohen in the Sinai and will shoot in Israel in 2024, with Indursky writing and former Viacom International Studios UK chief Offman exec producing alongside Keshet’s Atar Dekel and Yuval Horowitz.
Keshet 12 is the local broadcaster and distributor Keshet International is now seeking to bring international broadcast partners on board.
The show will follow the Hallelujah singer’s infamous trip to the Sinai desert 50 years ago at the height of the Yom Kippur War, when he was at a creative dead end. There, the now-deceased singer picked up a...
- 11/28/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
ViacomCBS International Studios (Vis) has unveiled a new slate of projects tapping talents as diverse as “Guilt” writer-creator Neil Forsyth, “The Great” writer Vanessa Alexander, “Wild District” originator Cristian Conti and “High School Musical” writer Peter Barsocchini.
Underscoring Vis’ ambitions to play in the big league of international local content producer-distributors, both in production volume and breadth of content, Vis also confirmed its drive into documentary production, of both doc features and series, and unveiled its first four titles.
This year will, moreover, see Vis bow development and production of its first made-for-streaming movies and first content for Vis Kids, created last year.
Launched in 2018, Vis has proved one of the fastest-growing production powers on the Latin American and Latinx scene, signing first-look deals with Argentina’s Juan José Campanella, writer-director of the Oscar winning “The Secret in Their Eyes,” and Ariel Winograd, director of remake phenomenon “Ten Days Without Mom.
Underscoring Vis’ ambitions to play in the big league of international local content producer-distributors, both in production volume and breadth of content, Vis also confirmed its drive into documentary production, of both doc features and series, and unveiled its first four titles.
This year will, moreover, see Vis bow development and production of its first made-for-streaming movies and first content for Vis Kids, created last year.
Launched in 2018, Vis has proved one of the fastest-growing production powers on the Latin American and Latinx scene, signing first-look deals with Argentina’s Juan José Campanella, writer-director of the Oscar winning “The Secret in Their Eyes,” and Ariel Winograd, director of remake phenomenon “Ten Days Without Mom.
- 1/21/2021
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
ViacomCBS International Studios is setting its sights on Southern Europe, with company execs outlining their plans for the region at Rome’s Mia market on Saturday.
“South Europe is a focus for us right now. We have quite a strong lineup in development in Spain right now, and Italy to us is our next big priority,” said ViacomCBS International Studios senior vice president Laura Abril, who heads the company’s Emeaa team in Spain.
The company announced last week that it is developing a TV series based on the life of the Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi with producer Frida Torresblanco, with whom it has a first-look deal. Former ViacomCBS International Studios U.K. managing director Jill Offman is also attached as an executive producer. Gentileschi was one of the most acclaimed painters of the Baroque period, and would later become an icon of the modern-day feminist movement. The series is...
“South Europe is a focus for us right now. We have quite a strong lineup in development in Spain right now, and Italy to us is our next big priority,” said ViacomCBS International Studios senior vice president Laura Abril, who heads the company’s Emeaa team in Spain.
The company announced last week that it is developing a TV series based on the life of the Italian artist Artemisia Gentileschi with producer Frida Torresblanco, with whom it has a first-look deal. Former ViacomCBS International Studios U.K. managing director Jill Offman is also attached as an executive producer. Gentileschi was one of the most acclaimed painters of the Baroque period, and would later become an icon of the modern-day feminist movement. The series is...
- 10/17/2020
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
ViacomCBS Intl. Studios Unveils its First Animated Series: ’Gloria Wants to Know It All’ (Exclusive)
ViacomCBS Intl. Studios (Vis), the fast expanding international content production arm of ViacomCBS, is driving for the first time into animation, partnering with Marc Anthony and Argentina’s Juan José Campanella, writer-director of the Academy Award winning “The Secret in Their Eyes.”
First up is a development deal on animated series “Gloria Wants to Know It All,” alongside Anthony’s Mangnus Studios, Campanella’s Mundoloco Animation Studios in Buenos Aires and Miami-based Laguna Media, co-founded by Carla Curiel and a family entertainment company committed to creating culturally relevant content promoting diversity.
Targeting pre-school children, “Gloria Wants to Know It All” turns on Gloria, an eight-year-old alpaca from the big city. Vacationing at her grandfather’s house in Pueblo Lanugo, described by Vis in a statement as “an incredible small town that is a vibrant example of the richness of Latin American culture,” Gloria discovers that there’s a huge amount to learn and,...
First up is a development deal on animated series “Gloria Wants to Know It All,” alongside Anthony’s Mangnus Studios, Campanella’s Mundoloco Animation Studios in Buenos Aires and Miami-based Laguna Media, co-founded by Carla Curiel and a family entertainment company committed to creating culturally relevant content promoting diversity.
Targeting pre-school children, “Gloria Wants to Know It All” turns on Gloria, an eight-year-old alpaca from the big city. Vacationing at her grandfather’s house in Pueblo Lanugo, described by Vis in a statement as “an incredible small town that is a vibrant example of the richness of Latin American culture,” Gloria discovers that there’s a huge amount to learn and,...
- 10/13/2020
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
ViacomCBS International Studios has announced that it is developing a TV series based on the life of Italian female artist Artemisia Gentileschi, who is considered to be one of the most accomplished painters in the Baroque period.
ViacomCBS International Studios has attached Pan’s Labyrinth producer Frida Torresblanco to develop the project, while former ViacomCBS International Studios UK managing director Jill Offman is also involved through her new outfit 66 Media. Both will serve as executive producers.
Currently in development and slated to begin production in 2021, ViacomCBS International Studios said the project will be the first TV series to depict Gentileschi, who was known for her violent, seductive autobiographical portraits and later became a figure of the modern-day feminist movement.
The series will be based on Mary Garrard’s non-fiction academic text, Artemisia Gentileschi: The Image of the Female Hero in Italian Baroque Art, which includes 400-year old transcripts of the...
ViacomCBS International Studios has attached Pan’s Labyrinth producer Frida Torresblanco to develop the project, while former ViacomCBS International Studios UK managing director Jill Offman is also involved through her new outfit 66 Media. Both will serve as executive producers.
Currently in development and slated to begin production in 2021, ViacomCBS International Studios said the project will be the first TV series to depict Gentileschi, who was known for her violent, seductive autobiographical portraits and later became a figure of the modern-day feminist movement.
The series will be based on Mary Garrard’s non-fiction academic text, Artemisia Gentileschi: The Image of the Female Hero in Italian Baroque Art, which includes 400-year old transcripts of the...
- 10/9/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
ViacomCBS International Studios, the global production arm of ViacomCBS Networks International, has named Cineflix Rights executive Kate Laffey as its vice president.
Laffey will be based in London and will report to Pierluigi Gazzolo, president of studios and streaming at ViacomCBS Networks International. Her arrival follows the departure of Jill Offman, executive vice president of ViacomCBS International Studios UK, in May.
She will oversee all of ViacomCBS International Studios’ development and production, with the producer’s shows including Channel 5’s Make Or Break? and The Wonderful World Of Chocolate.
Laffey has spent more than seven years at Cineflix Rights, most recently serving as vice president of acquisitions. Previous roles include being a senior scripted acquisitions executive at ITV Studios.
Gazzolo said: “The phrase ‘Content is King’ has never been more pertinent than in today’s global streaming landscape, and I am confident that Kate will be a driving force...
Laffey will be based in London and will report to Pierluigi Gazzolo, president of studios and streaming at ViacomCBS Networks International. Her arrival follows the departure of Jill Offman, executive vice president of ViacomCBS International Studios UK, in May.
She will oversee all of ViacomCBS International Studios’ development and production, with the producer’s shows including Channel 5’s Make Or Break? and The Wonderful World Of Chocolate.
Laffey has spent more than seven years at Cineflix Rights, most recently serving as vice president of acquisitions. Previous roles include being a senior scripted acquisitions executive at ITV Studios.
Gazzolo said: “The phrase ‘Content is King’ has never been more pertinent than in today’s global streaming landscape, and I am confident that Kate will be a driving force...
- 8/10/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Paul Dunthorne, a Channel 5 veteran who joined as part of billionaire Richard Desmond’s takeover a decade ago, is leaving the UK network’s parent company ViacomCBS.
Dunthorne ran Desmond’s Portland TV and took Channel 5 under his wing after the business mogul acquired the broadcaster in 2010. He was promoted to Channel 5 chief operating officer in 2012 and then remained with the broadcaster after it was acquired by ViacomCBS in 2014.
Dunthorne continued to progress within ViacomCBS, becoming the company’s COO in the UK and Australia. More recently, Dunthorne helped act up for James Currell, executive vice president and MD for the UK and Northern and Eastern Europe, after he left last year.
Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia, said: “Paul has been integral to Channel 5’s successful reinvention in recent years and to the expansion and diversification of ViacomCBS’s operations in the UK and many other European territories.
Dunthorne ran Desmond’s Portland TV and took Channel 5 under his wing after the business mogul acquired the broadcaster in 2010. He was promoted to Channel 5 chief operating officer in 2012 and then remained with the broadcaster after it was acquired by ViacomCBS in 2014.
Dunthorne continued to progress within ViacomCBS, becoming the company’s COO in the UK and Australia. More recently, Dunthorne helped act up for James Currell, executive vice president and MD for the UK and Northern and Eastern Europe, after he left last year.
Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia, said: “Paul has been integral to Channel 5’s successful reinvention in recent years and to the expansion and diversification of ViacomCBS’s operations in the UK and many other European territories.
- 7/14/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The bestselling Cetin Ikmen crime novels by Barbara Nadel, set in modern-day Istanbul, are coming to the small screen, thanks to a new pact between Miramax and ViacomCBS Int’l Studios (Vis) to co-produce the series adaptation, “The Turkish Detective.”
Deal is the first co-production between Vis and Miramax, the international film and television studio jointly owned by beIN Media Group and ViacomCBS, which acquired a stake in December last year.
The Cwa Silver Dagger-winning 21-novel book series has been acclaimed for its byzantine plots that shed light on areas of Istanbul not written about in tourist brochures.
“[Barbara] Nadel is a terrific writer, and her page-turning novels combine beautifully honed storytelling that is at once captivating, colorful and imbued with a distinctly authentic sense of place,” said Marc Helwig, Head of Worldwide Television at Miramax.
“Miramax has a longstanding reputation for award-winning, creative productions. By partnering with Miramax to produce ‘The Turkish Detective,...
Deal is the first co-production between Vis and Miramax, the international film and television studio jointly owned by beIN Media Group and ViacomCBS, which acquired a stake in December last year.
The Cwa Silver Dagger-winning 21-novel book series has been acclaimed for its byzantine plots that shed light on areas of Istanbul not written about in tourist brochures.
“[Barbara] Nadel is a terrific writer, and her page-turning novels combine beautifully honed storytelling that is at once captivating, colorful and imbued with a distinctly authentic sense of place,” said Marc Helwig, Head of Worldwide Television at Miramax.
“Miramax has a longstanding reputation for award-winning, creative productions. By partnering with Miramax to produce ‘The Turkish Detective,...
- 6/24/2020
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
ViacomCBS International Studios and Miramax are partnering on their first project since ViacomCBS took a 49% stake in the film and TV studio in April.
The two companies will co-produce The Turkish Detective, a crime series set in modern-day Istanbul based on the 21 inspector Cetin Ikmen novels by Barbara Nadel.
Production on the series, which was first announced at Mipcom last year, will begin in spring next year. It will be sold to a third-party, though no network or streamer is attached at this point.
Each hour-long episode follows Ikmen and his partner Mehmet Suleyman as they solve a series of crimes, with the stories heavily rooted in the rich culture and history of Istanbul.
The Turkish Detective will be executive produced by Jill Offman — her first project since leaving her role as executive vice president of ViacomCBS International Studios UK in May.
Pierluigi Gazzolo, president of studios and streaming at ViacomCBS Networks International,...
The two companies will co-produce The Turkish Detective, a crime series set in modern-day Istanbul based on the 21 inspector Cetin Ikmen novels by Barbara Nadel.
Production on the series, which was first announced at Mipcom last year, will begin in spring next year. It will be sold to a third-party, though no network or streamer is attached at this point.
Each hour-long episode follows Ikmen and his partner Mehmet Suleyman as they solve a series of crimes, with the stories heavily rooted in the rich culture and history of Istanbul.
The Turkish Detective will be executive produced by Jill Offman — her first project since leaving her role as executive vice president of ViacomCBS International Studios UK in May.
Pierluigi Gazzolo, president of studios and streaming at ViacomCBS Networks International,...
- 6/24/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Maria Kyriacou, the president of ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia, has been named as the new chair of Britain’s Creative Diversity Network.
Kyriacou succeeds Jill Offman, who left ViacomCBS earlier this year, and will lead the organization until the end of 2020, helping it promote diversity and inclusion in the UK television industry.
Kyriacou said: “I look forward to championing the vital work that Cdn is doing at a time when actionable diversity and inclusion initiatives has never been more important.
“As Cdn’s chair, my aim is to put Cdn and its diversity monitoring tool, Diamond, at the centre of discussions with broadcasters and producers, in order that we can collectively work towards improving representation in all spheres of our sector.”
The Cdn published a Diamond report earlier this year that revealed that Bame writers and directors are still badly underrepresented in the industry, but broadcasters are doing a much better job on-screen.
Kyriacou succeeds Jill Offman, who left ViacomCBS earlier this year, and will lead the organization until the end of 2020, helping it promote diversity and inclusion in the UK television industry.
Kyriacou said: “I look forward to championing the vital work that Cdn is doing at a time when actionable diversity and inclusion initiatives has never been more important.
“As Cdn’s chair, my aim is to put Cdn and its diversity monitoring tool, Diamond, at the centre of discussions with broadcasters and producers, in order that we can collectively work towards improving representation in all spheres of our sector.”
The Cdn published a Diamond report earlier this year that revealed that Bame writers and directors are still badly underrepresented in the industry, but broadcasters are doing a much better job on-screen.
- 6/11/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Viacom International Media Networks’ UK director of programs Ben Frow has spoken frankly about the network’s coronavirus challenges, revealing that he is “frightened” for the future and challenging producers to work harder on kickstarting production.
In an Edinburgh TV Festival event streamed over YouTube, Frow voiced his frustration over the fact that free-to-air network Channel 5’s advertising revenue has plummeted at the same time as viewing has increased during lockdown over the past six weeks.
More from DeadlineAs Rich 2019 Paydays Roll In, Media CEO Salaries Will Be Hard To Justify In A Covid-19 EconomyViacomCBS's UK Production Chief Jill Offman Leaves Company After 12 YearsViacomCBS Investors Seem To Be Warming To Cost-Cutting Moves
“It’s a f—–g pain in the arse,” he said, adding: “We have all these lovely viewers but you can’t make as much money from them.” But while there has been a short-term viewing boost,...
In an Edinburgh TV Festival event streamed over YouTube, Frow voiced his frustration over the fact that free-to-air network Channel 5’s advertising revenue has plummeted at the same time as viewing has increased during lockdown over the past six weeks.
More from DeadlineAs Rich 2019 Paydays Roll In, Media CEO Salaries Will Be Hard To Justify In A Covid-19 EconomyViacomCBS's UK Production Chief Jill Offman Leaves Company After 12 YearsViacomCBS Investors Seem To Be Warming To Cost-Cutting Moves
“It’s a f—–g pain in the arse,” he said, adding: “We have all these lovely viewers but you can’t make as much money from them.” But while there has been a short-term viewing boost,...
- 5/1/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Jill Offman, the executive vice president of ViacomCBS International Studios UK, is leaving the company after 12 years.
Offman is stepping down from running the division, which has created shows including Channel 5 reality series Make Or Break?, but she will maintain her links with the operation by acting as an executive producer on its drama slate.
More from DeadlineViacomCBS Investors Seem To Be Warming To Cost-Cutting MovesTom Hayden Exits As President of Smithsonian Networks Amid Entertainment & Youth Group Integration & ViacomCBS LayoffsNickelodeon Evp Sharon Cohen Exits, On-The-Ground & Live Events Divisions Impacted In ViacomCBS Layoffs
In a statement, she said: “Whilst the time has come for me to leave, I’m happy that I will continue an ongoing relationship with the company as an executive producer for Vis UK’s exciting drama development slate.”
Offman joined Paramount Comedy in late 2007 and went on to become executive vice president of Paramount and Comedy Central International Channels.
Offman is stepping down from running the division, which has created shows including Channel 5 reality series Make Or Break?, but she will maintain her links with the operation by acting as an executive producer on its drama slate.
More from DeadlineViacomCBS Investors Seem To Be Warming To Cost-Cutting MovesTom Hayden Exits As President of Smithsonian Networks Amid Entertainment & Youth Group Integration & ViacomCBS LayoffsNickelodeon Evp Sharon Cohen Exits, On-The-Ground & Live Events Divisions Impacted In ViacomCBS Layoffs
In a statement, she said: “Whilst the time has come for me to leave, I’m happy that I will continue an ongoing relationship with the company as an executive producer for Vis UK’s exciting drama development slate.”
Offman joined Paramount Comedy in late 2007 and went on to become executive vice president of Paramount and Comedy Central International Channels.
- 5/1/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC is leading nominations for the 2020 Rockie Awards, a juried competition organized by Canada’s Banff World Media Festival to celebrate achievement in television and digital media from around the world.
The BBC was nominated for 27 Rockie Awards, followed by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with 13 noms, Sky with eight noms, National Geographic with six noms, HBO with five noms, as well as Arte France and Finland’s Yle with four nominations each. U.K. and U.S. shows are leading the pack with 44 and 43 nominations, respectively.
The comedy series lineup includes BBC’s “Fleabag,” “Motherland,” “This Time With Alan Partridge,” as well as A24’s Ramy and Channel Four’s “This Way Up.” The non-English language comedy shows in the running include Finland’s “Almost True,” Tva’s “Boomerang” and Radio-Canada’s “Freefall,” Arte France’s “Mytho,” and Deutschland’s “Other Parents.”
Drama series nominated include Corus Entertainment’s “Departure,...
The BBC was nominated for 27 Rockie Awards, followed by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation with 13 noms, Sky with eight noms, National Geographic with six noms, HBO with five noms, as well as Arte France and Finland’s Yle with four nominations each. U.K. and U.S. shows are leading the pack with 44 and 43 nominations, respectively.
The comedy series lineup includes BBC’s “Fleabag,” “Motherland,” “This Time With Alan Partridge,” as well as A24’s Ramy and Channel Four’s “This Way Up.” The non-English language comedy shows in the running include Finland’s “Almost True,” Tva’s “Boomerang” and Radio-Canada’s “Freefall,” Arte France’s “Mytho,” and Deutschland’s “Other Parents.”
Drama series nominated include Corus Entertainment’s “Departure,...
- 4/23/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
ViacomCBS’ UK production studio has scored its first U.S. order – a ten-part music documentary series for Reelz.
Viacom International Studios UK, which produces series for its sister network Channel 5 including BAFTA-winning Crusing with Jane McDonald, is producing The Story of the Songs for the cable network.
The show, which will air later this year, is based on Abba: Secrets of their Greatest Hits, a 90-minute doc that Viacom International Studios UK produced for Channel 5 in October 2019.
It will be produced in parternship with ViacomCBS’ Paramount Network UK, which will air domestically with Viacom International Studios Content Sales selling internationally.
Each episode will focus on a different music legend, exploring the stories behind some of the most iconic songs of the last century. From Aretha Franklin to Celine Dion, Madonna to Metallica, each episode of the series will reveal how three of each artists’ most emblematic songs came to...
Viacom International Studios UK, which produces series for its sister network Channel 5 including BAFTA-winning Crusing with Jane McDonald, is producing The Story of the Songs for the cable network.
The show, which will air later this year, is based on Abba: Secrets of their Greatest Hits, a 90-minute doc that Viacom International Studios UK produced for Channel 5 in October 2019.
It will be produced in parternship with ViacomCBS’ Paramount Network UK, which will air domestically with Viacom International Studios Content Sales selling internationally.
Each episode will focus on a different music legend, exploring the stories behind some of the most iconic songs of the last century. From Aretha Franklin to Celine Dion, Madonna to Metallica, each episode of the series will reveal how three of each artists’ most emblematic songs came to...
- 3/11/2020
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
A major study on diversity and inclusion in the British television has concluded that black, Asian and minority ethnic (Bame) writers and directors are still badly underrepresented in the industry, but broadcasters are doing a much better job on-screen.
The Creative Diversity Network, a membership network of major British broadcasters and producers, has produced its latest Diamond report — a health check on industry diversity, based on the responses of 30,000 industry figures between August 2018 and July 2019.
The study found that there were not enough Bame creatives in key behind-the-scenes roles in the UK. Bame representation among writers and directors stands at 9.1% and 8.6% respectively, which is below the British workforce average of 13%, according to the report.
People from diverse backgrounds are also underrepresented at producer (10.5%) and series producer (4.4%) level, but fare better among executive producers (14.4%) and commissioning editors (16.5%), according to the data drawn from organizations including the BBC, ITV, Sky and ViacomCBS’s Channel 5.
The Creative Diversity Network, a membership network of major British broadcasters and producers, has produced its latest Diamond report — a health check on industry diversity, based on the responses of 30,000 industry figures between August 2018 and July 2019.
The study found that there were not enough Bame creatives in key behind-the-scenes roles in the UK. Bame representation among writers and directors stands at 9.1% and 8.6% respectively, which is below the British workforce average of 13%, according to the report.
People from diverse backgrounds are also underrepresented at producer (10.5%) and series producer (4.4%) level, but fare better among executive producers (14.4%) and commissioning editors (16.5%), according to the data drawn from organizations including the BBC, ITV, Sky and ViacomCBS’s Channel 5.
- 2/27/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
ViacomCBS has restructured international operations following the closing of the merger in December, with two brand groups and three pan-regional management hubs reporting into ViacomCBS Networks International CEO David Lynn.
Lynn, who was promoted to head international in early 2017 after former global boss Bob Bakish was tapped to lead Viacom, pointed out that consolidating international flagship brands into two groups “will simplify our structure and more closely align our business with ViacomCBS’ U.S. brands, enabling us to share more content and resources across our different brands and extract maximum value from our content investment and libraries.”
The restructure sees ViacomCBS Networks International (Vcni) divided into an entertainment and youth arm and a kids and family division. There is also a further three-way geographic restructuring, with a UK and Australia division that includes responsibility for Ireland, New Zealand and Israel; a Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (Emeaa) hub; and an Americas branch.
Lynn, who was promoted to head international in early 2017 after former global boss Bob Bakish was tapped to lead Viacom, pointed out that consolidating international flagship brands into two groups “will simplify our structure and more closely align our business with ViacomCBS’ U.S. brands, enabling us to share more content and resources across our different brands and extract maximum value from our content investment and libraries.”
The restructure sees ViacomCBS Networks International (Vcni) divided into an entertainment and youth arm and a kids and family division. There is also a further three-way geographic restructuring, with a UK and Australia division that includes responsibility for Ireland, New Zealand and Israel; a Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (Emeaa) hub; and an Americas branch.
- 1/14/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Viacom's Viacom International Media Networks unit said Wednesday that its Viacom International Studios (Vis) U.K. is moving into scripted development with five co-production projects being showcased at the Mipcom market in Cannes.
It also said that Jill Offman has moved into an expanded role as managing director at Vis for all English-speaking markets. She assumed management oversight of Vis U.K. in April, now adding content sourcing for Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
"The move into scripted development follows yesterday’s announcement that Vis U.K. is set to produce its first scripted kids’ show for ...
It also said that Jill Offman has moved into an expanded role as managing director at Vis for all English-speaking markets. She assumed management oversight of Vis U.K. in April, now adding content sourcing for Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
"The move into scripted development follows yesterday’s announcement that Vis U.K. is set to produce its first scripted kids’ show for ...
- 10/16/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Darren Star, the creator of “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Melrose Place” and “Sex and the City” who was celebrated at Mipcom on Monday and named patron of the upcoming Canneseries festival, said the iconic TV series he created struck a chord throughout the world because of their relatable characters and cultural grounding.
“I never thought of the international audience when I created those shows. You can’t consciously do that. But it shows you that there’s a universal taste when characters can translate to other cultures,” Star told Variety. “I think there’s something about these characters, they had a lot of heart and people honestly related to them.”
He also said there was “something cultural about these shows… ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ was about high school, ‘Sex and the City’ was about women’s sexuality and a frank, honest look at relationships,” said Star.
Speaking of his latest creation, the much-anticipated “Emily...
“I never thought of the international audience when I created those shows. You can’t consciously do that. But it shows you that there’s a universal taste when characters can translate to other cultures,” Star told Variety. “I think there’s something about these characters, they had a lot of heart and people honestly related to them.”
He also said there was “something cultural about these shows… ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ was about high school, ‘Sex and the City’ was about women’s sexuality and a frank, honest look at relationships,” said Star.
Speaking of his latest creation, the much-anticipated “Emily...
- 10/16/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
“Sex and the City” creator Darren Star is set to deliver a Media Mastermind Keynote at Mipcom, the Cannes-set international TV showcase.
During a session moderated by Jill Offman, the executive VP of Paramount Network International and Comedy Central International, Star will give his perspective on creativity and is expected to discuss the series he created, including “Sex and the City,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Melrose Place,” “Younger” and the upcoming “Emily in Paris,” which is currently shooting in the French capital with Lily Collins.
Star joins a lineup of high-profile talent and executives set to participate to Mipcom, including William Shatner, who will be on hand to promote “The UnXplained,” the new show which he executive produces and hosts; Emmy winner RuPaul Charles, who will receive the Variety Vanguard Award; WarnerMedia entertainment chair Bob Greenblatt, who will be this year’s Personality of the Year; “Bodyguard” creator and showrunner Jed Mercurio; and Patrick Dempsey,...
During a session moderated by Jill Offman, the executive VP of Paramount Network International and Comedy Central International, Star will give his perspective on creativity and is expected to discuss the series he created, including “Sex and the City,” “Beverly Hills 90210,” “Melrose Place,” “Younger” and the upcoming “Emily in Paris,” which is currently shooting in the French capital with Lily Collins.
Star joins a lineup of high-profile talent and executives set to participate to Mipcom, including William Shatner, who will be on hand to promote “The UnXplained,” the new show which he executive produces and hosts; Emmy winner RuPaul Charles, who will receive the Variety Vanguard Award; WarnerMedia entertainment chair Bob Greenblatt, who will be this year’s Personality of the Year; “Bodyguard” creator and showrunner Jed Mercurio; and Patrick Dempsey,...
- 9/18/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Sex and the City creator Darren Star is to give a keynote at the Mipcom event in Cannes.
Star, who also created TV Land’s Younger, will speak with Jill Offman, Executive Vice President of Paramount Network International and Comedy Central International at the event, which runs October 14-17.
Star recently wrapped the sixth season of Younger and is in production with Paramount Network series Emily in Paris starring Lily Collins. He is also behind Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place.
It is the first high-profile creative name to be signed up for the French TV confab and will come as Mipcom addresses ‘The Streaming Offensive’ across its conference line-up. He will bring his perspective on creativity in the post-linear world om Tuesday October 15.
Other speakers at the event include Amazon Studios execs James Farrell and Georgia Brown, Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio and Maria Kyriacou, President, ITV Studios International.
Star, who also created TV Land’s Younger, will speak with Jill Offman, Executive Vice President of Paramount Network International and Comedy Central International at the event, which runs October 14-17.
Star recently wrapped the sixth season of Younger and is in production with Paramount Network series Emily in Paris starring Lily Collins. He is also behind Beverly Hills 90210 and Melrose Place.
It is the first high-profile creative name to be signed up for the French TV confab and will come as Mipcom addresses ‘The Streaming Offensive’ across its conference line-up. He will bring his perspective on creativity in the post-linear world om Tuesday October 15.
Other speakers at the event include Amazon Studios execs James Farrell and Georgia Brown, Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio and Maria Kyriacou, President, ITV Studios International.
- 9/17/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Viacom is ready to expand the role of Channel 5 director of programs Ben Frow, giving him responsibility for Comedy Central, MTV, and Paramount Network in the UK.
Details of the promotion are still being thrashed out and Frow is yet to sign up for the increased remit. Viacom is also in talks with other employees who would be impacted by the change and there may be a small number of redundancies.
Comedy Central and Paramount Network are currently overseen by Jill Offman in the UK as part of a broad remit which also includes production arm Viacom International Studios UK. Kerry Taylor is the executive vice president of MTV International, as well as chief marketing officer of Viacom UK.
Frow will continue to oversee Channel 5 as part of his new role. He has run the station for seven years, during which time he has been credited with reviving its fortunes,...
Details of the promotion are still being thrashed out and Frow is yet to sign up for the increased remit. Viacom is also in talks with other employees who would be impacted by the change and there may be a small number of redundancies.
Comedy Central and Paramount Network are currently overseen by Jill Offman in the UK as part of a broad remit which also includes production arm Viacom International Studios UK. Kerry Taylor is the executive vice president of MTV International, as well as chief marketing officer of Viacom UK.
Frow will continue to oversee Channel 5 as part of his new role. He has run the station for seven years, during which time he has been credited with reviving its fortunes,...
- 9/12/2019
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Viacom is expanding its production business in the UK and has handed responsibility to Comedy Central and Paramount international chief Jill Offman.
The U.S. media giant has launched a production center in Manchester and has rebranded its UK division Elephant House Studios as Viacom International Studios UK. This follows the launch of Viacom International Studios in Latin America last year. Separately, it has also opened a production base in Madrid.
Elephant House was responsible for series including reality format Make or Break and Cruising with Jane McDonald. It has recently scored its first original production for a third-party channel – producing a factual series for ITV with details to come.
Vis UK’s General Manager Joe McLusky, and Creative Director Ed Taylor will now report to Offman, who as international brand head for both Comedy Central and Paramount Network already has oversight of comedy and drama productions for Viacom out of the UK.
The U.S. media giant has launched a production center in Manchester and has rebranded its UK division Elephant House Studios as Viacom International Studios UK. This follows the launch of Viacom International Studios in Latin America last year. Separately, it has also opened a production base in Madrid.
Elephant House was responsible for series including reality format Make or Break and Cruising with Jane McDonald. It has recently scored its first original production for a third-party channel – producing a factual series for ITV with details to come.
Vis UK’s General Manager Joe McLusky, and Creative Director Ed Taylor will now report to Offman, who as international brand head for both Comedy Central and Paramount Network already has oversight of comedy and drama productions for Viacom out of the UK.
- 4/3/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Viacom is ramping up international production with new outposts in Manchester, England, and Madrid, Spain.
The company has been investing in production outside its home turf in the U.S. through the Viacom International Studios unit, which opened a new Latin America-focused studio in Miami last year with Federico Cuervo at the helm. It has now opened a new production office in Manchester, in northern England, as it seeks out British commissions beyond those for its own free-tv network, Channel 5, and its suite of pay-tv channels, which include MTV and Nickelodeon.
The new U.K. office has already launched production on a factual series for ITV. No further details were disclosed about the series, which will be Viacom’s first original U.K. show for a channel outside its own circle.
A management shuffle on the production side sees Jill Offman take charge of Viacom’s U.K. Studio...
The company has been investing in production outside its home turf in the U.S. through the Viacom International Studios unit, which opened a new Latin America-focused studio in Miami last year with Federico Cuervo at the helm. It has now opened a new production office in Manchester, in northern England, as it seeks out British commissions beyond those for its own free-tv network, Channel 5, and its suite of pay-tv channels, which include MTV and Nickelodeon.
The new U.K. office has already launched production on a factual series for ITV. No further details were disclosed about the series, which will be Viacom’s first original U.K. show for a channel outside its own circle.
A management shuffle on the production side sees Jill Offman take charge of Viacom’s U.K. Studio...
- 4/3/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Viacom's Paramount Network International on Wednesday unveiled Mean Girls: The Movie and More, its first-ever live experiential event, which will take place in London in June.
The offering tied to the high-school comedy, which starred Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, among others, means that the channel will join Viacom’s other flagship international network brands in breaking into the live events business, which management has focused on as part of its push into new businesses and revenue sources.
"Mean Girls is an iconic cult hit that audiences around the world love," said Jill Offman,...
The offering tied to the high-school comedy, which starred Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, among others, means that the channel will join Viacom’s other flagship international network brands in breaking into the live events business, which management has focused on as part of its push into new businesses and revenue sources.
"Mean Girls is an iconic cult hit that audiences around the world love," said Jill Offman,...
Viacom's Paramount Network International on Wednesday unveiled Mean Girls: The Movie and More, its first-ever live experiential event, which will take place in London in June.
The offering tied to the high-school comedy, which starred Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, among others, means that the channel will join Viacom’s other flagship international network brands in breaking into the live events business, which management has focused on as part of its push into new businesses and revenue sources.
"Mean Girls is an iconic cult hit that audiences around the world love," said Jill Offman,...
The offering tied to the high-school comedy, which starred Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, among others, means that the channel will join Viacom’s other flagship international network brands in breaking into the live events business, which management has focused on as part of its push into new businesses and revenue sources.
"Mean Girls is an iconic cult hit that audiences around the world love," said Jill Offman,...
Paramount Network International has acquired the first two seasons of “Yellowstone,” the hit Paramount Network original drama series created by Taylor Sheridan (“Wind River”) and starring Kevin Costner.
The series, which launched last year in the U.S., will roll out on Paramount’s channels in the Nordics, Hungary and Poland in the spring, followed by the U.K. and Latin America in October, and Spain and Italy in early 2020. “Yellowstone” will also be available on Paramount+ in selected territories.
“We’re excited to bring this riveting dramatic story to Paramount’s international audiences,” said Jill Offman, executive VP of Paramount Network International. “Coming off its tremendous success in the U.S. as last summer’s most-watched series on cable, ‘Yellowstone’ will complement the outstanding lineup on Paramount’s international channels.”
Co-produced and co-financed by 101 Studios, “Yellowstone” is headlined by Costner, who stars opposite Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley,...
The series, which launched last year in the U.S., will roll out on Paramount’s channels in the Nordics, Hungary and Poland in the spring, followed by the U.K. and Latin America in October, and Spain and Italy in early 2020. “Yellowstone” will also be available on Paramount+ in selected territories.
“We’re excited to bring this riveting dramatic story to Paramount’s international audiences,” said Jill Offman, executive VP of Paramount Network International. “Coming off its tremendous success in the U.S. as last summer’s most-watched series on cable, ‘Yellowstone’ will complement the outstanding lineup on Paramount’s international channels.”
Co-produced and co-financed by 101 Studios, “Yellowstone” is headlined by Costner, who stars opposite Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley,...
- 3/4/2019
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Kevin Costner-fronted drama Yellowstone is to travel around the world after Paramount Network’s sister international channel picked up the series.
Paramount Network International has acquired seasons one and two of the drama, which also stars Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Jefferson White, Danny Huston and Gil Birmingham.
It will launch on Paramount’s channels in Nordics, Hungary and Poland in spring 2019, followed by UK, Latin America, Spain and Italy, and will also be available on Paramount+ in select territories.
Yellowstone chronicles the Dutton family, led by John Dutton (Costner), who controls the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect – the ranch is in constant conflict with those it borders – an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park.
Created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, it is exec produced by Sheridan,...
Paramount Network International has acquired seasons one and two of the drama, which also stars Luke Grimes, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Cole Hauser, Kelsey Asbille, Brecken Merrill, Jefferson White, Danny Huston and Gil Birmingham.
It will launch on Paramount’s channels in Nordics, Hungary and Poland in spring 2019, followed by UK, Latin America, Spain and Italy, and will also be available on Paramount+ in select territories.
Yellowstone chronicles the Dutton family, led by John Dutton (Costner), who controls the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds, and hard-earned respect – the ranch is in constant conflict with those it borders – an expanding town, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park.
Created by Taylor Sheridan and John Linson, it is exec produced by Sheridan,...
- 3/4/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Viacom’s Paramount Network International said Monday that it has acquired seasons 1 and 2 of Yellowstone, the hit drama that launched in 2018 on the U.S. version of the channel.
The series, starring Kevin Costner, will premiere on Paramount Networks in the Nordics, Hungary and Poland in spring, followed by the U.K., Latin America, Spain and Italy. The show will also be available on the Paramount+ streaming service in select territories.
"We're excited to bring this riveting dramatic story to Paramount’s international audiences," said Jill Offman, executive vp Paramount Network International. "Coming off ...
The series, starring Kevin Costner, will premiere on Paramount Networks in the Nordics, Hungary and Poland in spring, followed by the U.K., Latin America, Spain and Italy. The show will also be available on the Paramount+ streaming service in select territories.
"We're excited to bring this riveting dramatic story to Paramount’s international audiences," said Jill Offman, executive vp Paramount Network International. "Coming off ...
A reboot of classic British police procedural Bergerac is being developed by Paramount Network International – marking the latter’s first international drama project to emerge since its global expansion.
The series previously starred John Nettles, later known for his role in Midsomer Murders, as a detective on the small island of Jersey. It ran for nine seasons and 87 episodes on the BBC between 1981 and 1991 and was created by Robert Banks Stewart.
Endemol Shine-backed production company Artists Studios is developing the reboot with Westward Studios. It is the latest attempt to bring back the classic character – the BBC had previously attempted to remake the series with Artists Studios back in 2013. Artists Studios’ Gub Neal, who has produced series such as Prime Suspect and The Fall, is lead producer.
The move comes as Viacom ramps up the international rollout of Paramount Network International, under the leadership of Evp Jill Offman.
Offman said,...
The series previously starred John Nettles, later known for his role in Midsomer Murders, as a detective on the small island of Jersey. It ran for nine seasons and 87 episodes on the BBC between 1981 and 1991 and was created by Robert Banks Stewart.
Endemol Shine-backed production company Artists Studios is developing the reboot with Westward Studios. It is the latest attempt to bring back the classic character – the BBC had previously attempted to remake the series with Artists Studios back in 2013. Artists Studios’ Gub Neal, who has produced series such as Prime Suspect and The Fall, is lead producer.
The move comes as Viacom ramps up the international rollout of Paramount Network International, under the leadership of Evp Jill Offman.
Offman said,...
- 2/7/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
British police drama “Bergerac” is being primed for a reboot for Paramount Network International. U.K. production companies Artists Studios, which is backed by Endemol Shine U.K., and Westward Studios, which is based on Jersey where the show is set, are developing the project as a potential future commission for Paramount’s network of channels outside the U.S.
Emmy-winning producer Gub Neal is leading the development for Artists Studios, serving as executive producer. Neal said the show would be updated for the present day, dealing with “contemporary stories-of-the-week that run alongside a strong serial spine.”
Jill Offman, executive vice president of Paramount Network, said the company hoped to be able to commission “Bergerac” as a full series.
Set on the island of Jersey, the original series of “Bergerac” starred John Nettles and ran for nine seasons between 1981-91. It followed the investigations of maverick detective Jim Bergerac.
“I...
Emmy-winning producer Gub Neal is leading the development for Artists Studios, serving as executive producer. Neal said the show would be updated for the present day, dealing with “contemporary stories-of-the-week that run alongside a strong serial spine.”
Jill Offman, executive vice president of Paramount Network, said the company hoped to be able to commission “Bergerac” as a full series.
Set on the island of Jersey, the original series of “Bergerac” starred John Nettles and ran for nine seasons between 1981-91. It followed the investigations of maverick detective Jim Bergerac.
“I...
- 2/7/2019
- by Robert Mitchell
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Katie Keenan, one of the top execs at British broadcaster Channel 5, is leaving the Viacom-owned network.
I hear that Keenan, who has worked at the broadcaster for around twelve years, will be leaving at the end of the year and is one of a handful of execs exiting the business as part of a number of changes being brought in by Channel 5’s Director of Programming Ben Frow.
Keenan, who is Head of Acquisitions at Channel 5 and Viacom International Media Networks UK, has been responsible for bringing a raft of top U.S. shows to the UK including Gotham, The X-Files and most recently Designated Survivor. In addition to these shows, recent deals include NBC’s reboot of Will & Grace and eOne’s Canadian cop drama The Detail.
She joined C5 in 2006 as Deputy Controller of Acquisitions, having previously worked at Channel 4 and UKTV, and...
I hear that Keenan, who has worked at the broadcaster for around twelve years, will be leaving at the end of the year and is one of a handful of execs exiting the business as part of a number of changes being brought in by Channel 5’s Director of Programming Ben Frow.
Keenan, who is Head of Acquisitions at Channel 5 and Viacom International Media Networks UK, has been responsible for bringing a raft of top U.S. shows to the UK including Gotham, The X-Files and most recently Designated Survivor. In addition to these shows, recent deals include NBC’s reboot of Will & Grace and eOne’s Canadian cop drama The Detail.
She joined C5 in 2006 as Deputy Controller of Acquisitions, having previously worked at Channel 4 and UKTV, and...
- 11/30/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Comedy Central is branching into live events in the UK with the launch of a three day stand-up festival. Comedians including Jimmy Carr, Russell Howard and Katherine Ryan will headline Comedy Central Live, which will take place between October 5 – 7 in Southampton.
While the Viacom-owned broadcaster has held promotional events such as a Friends festival in the UK, the move marks the first time that it has held a full comedy gala.
Other comedians include Catastrophe creator and star Rob Delaney, Love Island narrator Iain Stirling and What Would Beyonce Do? star Luisa Omielan as well as Rob Beckett, Desiree Burch, Chris Ramsey, Joel Dommett, Nish Kumar, Russell Kane, Dane Baptiste, Mo Gilligan, Phil Wang, Suzi Ruffell, Reginald D Hunter, Doc Brown and Britain’s Got Talent winner Lost Voice Guy.
In addition, the event will hold live versions of a number of its on screen shows such as Your Face Or Mine,...
While the Viacom-owned broadcaster has held promotional events such as a Friends festival in the UK, the move marks the first time that it has held a full comedy gala.
Other comedians include Catastrophe creator and star Rob Delaney, Love Island narrator Iain Stirling and What Would Beyonce Do? star Luisa Omielan as well as Rob Beckett, Desiree Burch, Chris Ramsey, Joel Dommett, Nish Kumar, Russell Kane, Dane Baptiste, Mo Gilligan, Phil Wang, Suzi Ruffell, Reginald D Hunter, Doc Brown and Britain’s Got Talent winner Lost Voice Guy.
In addition, the event will hold live versions of a number of its on screen shows such as Your Face Or Mine,...
- 6/28/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Comedy Central has handed Jeff Ross’ Roast Battle a third season and has set up a local version of the stand-up format in Mexico.
The reality competition format, pits some of the country’s most vicious comedians against one another, one-on-one in a bracket-style, insult comedy contest with an all-star panel of judges deciding their tournament fate, launched its second series in the U.S. last year and will return for a six-episode run later this summer. Once again led by Ross and referee/comedian Brian Moses, Roast Battle is executive produced by Ross, Moses, Amy Zvi, Willie Mercer, Rell Battle, Rick Austin, and Joel Gallen, who also directs. Jonas Larsen, Christian McLaughlin, Jordan Ellner and Ryan Moran are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
Mexico is also getting its own version, to premiere in July 2018. Duelo de Comediantes will consist of six half-hour episodes with local comedians.
The reality competition format, pits some of the country’s most vicious comedians against one another, one-on-one in a bracket-style, insult comedy contest with an all-star panel of judges deciding their tournament fate, launched its second series in the U.S. last year and will return for a six-episode run later this summer. Once again led by Ross and referee/comedian Brian Moses, Roast Battle is executive produced by Ross, Moses, Amy Zvi, Willie Mercer, Rell Battle, Rick Austin, and Joel Gallen, who also directs. Jonas Larsen, Christian McLaughlin, Jordan Ellner and Ryan Moran are the Executives in Charge of Production for Comedy Central.
Mexico is also getting its own version, to premiere in July 2018. Duelo de Comediantes will consist of six half-hour episodes with local comedians.
- 6/13/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Comedy Central is taking “Roast Battle” to Mexico, with a new local version of the format. New seasons of the show, in which comedians attempt to take each other down and have their efforts judged by a panel of celebrity judges, have also been greenlit by the Viacom channel in the U.S., U.K., and South Africa.
The U.K. judging lineup is changing, and Russell Brand will not return as a judge, Variety has learned. Comedians Jimmy Carr and Katherine Ryan will come back for the five-part second season of the British show. James Corden’s Fulwell 73 and U.K. indie Ideastron are on production duty.
In Mexico, the local version will be called “Comedy Central Duelo de Comediantes” and launch in July. The six-part series will have three battles per episode. In the U.S., there will be a third season of “Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle...
The U.K. judging lineup is changing, and Russell Brand will not return as a judge, Variety has learned. Comedians Jimmy Carr and Katherine Ryan will come back for the five-part second season of the British show. James Corden’s Fulwell 73 and U.K. indie Ideastron are on production duty.
In Mexico, the local version will be called “Comedy Central Duelo de Comediantes” and launch in July. The six-part series will have three battles per episode. In the U.S., there will be a third season of “Jeff Ross Presents Roast Battle...
- 6/13/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Viacom is to launch the Paramount Network in the UK next month with a raft of U.S. series including the latest season of Suits and Kaitlin Olsen’s The Mick.
The U.S. media company is launching the channel as a free-to-air network on July 4 to focus on premium scripted drama, high quality comedy and movies. It comes after Viacom launched the rebranded Spike channel in the U.S. earlier this year.
The channel, which will also air Kiefer Sutherland’s Designated Survivor, will be overseen by Ben Frow, who runs Viacom’s Channel 5, as well as Evp Comedy Central and Paramount Network International Jill Offman.
Frow said, “Paramount Network is set to deliver high end Hollywood entertainment with blockbuster movies, scripted drama and critically acclaimed comedy featuring some of the biggest names on the planet. Supported by Channel 5’s creative scheduling and audience insight and underpinned by Viacom’s brand-building expertise,...
The U.S. media company is launching the channel as a free-to-air network on July 4 to focus on premium scripted drama, high quality comedy and movies. It comes after Viacom launched the rebranded Spike channel in the U.S. earlier this year.
The channel, which will also air Kiefer Sutherland’s Designated Survivor, will be overseen by Ben Frow, who runs Viacom’s Channel 5, as well as Evp Comedy Central and Paramount Network International Jill Offman.
Frow said, “Paramount Network is set to deliver high end Hollywood entertainment with blockbuster movies, scripted drama and critically acclaimed comedy featuring some of the biggest names on the planet. Supported by Channel 5’s creative scheduling and audience insight and underpinned by Viacom’s brand-building expertise,...
- 6/8/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Viacom Intl. Media Networks U.K. announced Friday that it will launch Paramount Network, a free-to-air channel offering a mix of drama, comedy and movies, in Britain on July 4.
The channel will be scheduled and programmed by Britain’s Channel 5 editorial team under the direction of Ben Frow, director of programs for Channel 5, which is also owned by Viacom. The U.K. Paramount channel will be the third iteration of Paramount Network after those in the U.S. and Spain. The international rollout is being overseen by Jill Offman, executive vice president of Comedy Central and Paramount Network Intl.
In addition, there are 11 locally scheduled versions of Paramount Channel internationally. Paramount is one of Viacom’s flagship global brands, alongside Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon.
Paramount Network will be the British home of various free-to-air premieres, including the seventh season of “Suits,” the drama from creator/executive producer Aaron Korsh,...
The channel will be scheduled and programmed by Britain’s Channel 5 editorial team under the direction of Ben Frow, director of programs for Channel 5, which is also owned by Viacom. The U.K. Paramount channel will be the third iteration of Paramount Network after those in the U.S. and Spain. The international rollout is being overseen by Jill Offman, executive vice president of Comedy Central and Paramount Network Intl.
In addition, there are 11 locally scheduled versions of Paramount Channel internationally. Paramount is one of Viacom’s flagship global brands, alongside Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon.
Paramount Network will be the British home of various free-to-air premieres, including the seventh season of “Suits,” the drama from creator/executive producer Aaron Korsh,...
- 6/8/2018
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
'Friends' fans can celebrate the iconic TV show in London this September. Comedy Central will host FriendsFest, an interactive week-long fan experience featuring a full scale set of Monica's apartment and a Central Perk inspired cafe, from September 16 - 20 to celebrate news that the channel will remain the exclusive UK TV home of the show. Jill Offman, MD Comedy Central UK & Svp Comedy Vimn said: '''Friends' is hugely popular, with almost 5.9 million people tuning in to watch it on Comedy Central each month. As we celebrate news that Comedy Central will remain the exclusive TV home...
- 8/12/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
Impractical Jokers UK is heading to Channel 5 and Comedy Central.
The UK series follows the format used on the popular Us edition with four friends challenging each other to perform outrageous dares and stunts, all while being recorded by a hidden camera.
British comedians Lee Griffiths, Matt Ralph, Paul Biggin and David Moon will take part in the nine-part series, after appearing in the pilot episode.
It is the first joint project between the two networks since Viacom finalised its takeover of Channel 5 last year.
Ben Frow, Channel 5's Director of Programmes, said: "Impractical Jokers has been a huge hit for Comedy Central and it feels like the perfect project for Channel 5's first foray back into funny with Comedy Central at our side."
Jill Offman, managing director of, Comedy Central UK, added: "Our UK Impractical Jokers have the same brilliant chemistry that has made their Us counterparts such a success,...
The UK series follows the format used on the popular Us edition with four friends challenging each other to perform outrageous dares and stunts, all while being recorded by a hidden camera.
British comedians Lee Griffiths, Matt Ralph, Paul Biggin and David Moon will take part in the nine-part series, after appearing in the pilot episode.
It is the first joint project between the two networks since Viacom finalised its takeover of Channel 5 last year.
Ben Frow, Channel 5's Director of Programmes, said: "Impractical Jokers has been a huge hit for Comedy Central and it feels like the perfect project for Channel 5's first foray back into funny with Comedy Central at our side."
Jill Offman, managing director of, Comedy Central UK, added: "Our UK Impractical Jokers have the same brilliant chemistry that has made their Us counterparts such a success,...
- 4/23/2015
- Digital Spy
Modern Family co-creator and executive producer Steven Levitan will be a keynote speaker at Mip-tv next month in Cannes. The speech will be followed by a Comedy Masterclass with Amazon Head of Comedy Joe Lewis; Jill Offman, MD of Comedy Central UK, and Svp Comedy at Viacom International Media Networks; and Ash Atalla, MD & Executive Producer of Roughcut Television (The Office). The two comedy sessions are part of Drama at Mip-tv, a two-day track split into showcases from…...
- 3/13/2015
- Deadline TV
Viacom's Viacom International Media Networks unit said Tuesday that Comedy Central International has ordered its first original multi-camera sitcom. It said series production has commenced on Brotherhood (a project formerly called Mummy’s Boys) from ITV-owned U.K. production firm Big Talk Productions. The eight-episode 30-minute series is being shot on location and in front of a studio audience, starting this month. Read more Viacom Promotes Jill Offman to Head of Comedy Central Brand Outside U.S. Last year, Comedy Central International announced a plan to order multi-camera sitcoms for a global audience. "Brotherhood is the
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- 10/21/2014
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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