4Rights Inks U.S. Drama Development Deal

LONDON: Channel 4’s rights-exploitation division has entered into a development deal with Kinetic Content, the U.S. production outfit established by former RDF USA chief Chris Coelen.

4Rights will have an exclusive first option to pick up all U.K. rights to scripted series developed by Kinetic for U.S. cable channels. The outfit is aiming to develop 13-part cable dramas as well as event mini-series, working closely with Crispin Leyser, Channel 4’s L.A.-based program acquisition consultant. The British broadcaster will have creative approval on scripts and will work with Kinetic to find the right U.S. home for projects, as well as writers and showrunners.

"We’re very excited to be working with Chris and his team at Kinetic on this innovative new funding model," said Dominic Schreiber, rights development manager at 4Rights. “With the explosion of high quality, shorter-run cable dramas, there’s a real opportunity for us to get involved in developing and co-funding U.S. series that we know will deliver ratings for Channel 4 as well as generate considerable secondary revenues for 4Rights.”

Coelen, CEO of Kinetic Content, added, “Channel 4 and 4Rights have always stood for and invested in high quality, bold commercial programming initiatives. Their vision makes them the perfect partner to join forces with in this programming venture.”