Big Time Decent Launches International Arm

Canada’s Big Time Decent, led by Matthew Shewchuk, has launched an international division to exploit its stable of productions as well as third-party IP.

Big Time Decent International will be led by René Brar, expanding his role to become head of development and sales, while Sarah McCormack joins the business as a consultant, based in London.

Big Time Decent has produced titles such as Rust Valley Restorers, Backroad Truckers, Yukon Rescue, Underdog Inc. and The Last Captains. In addition to distributing its factual slate, the venture will sell scripted projects from the production company’s new scripted label, Bread & Better Films, and select third-party projects. A fund has been created to identify new projects, with the team headed to MIPCOM as part of the Canadian pavilion.

“We’ve always made content with international audiences in mind—but with our company now five years old and having secured a number of hits under our belt, the time feels right to start selling it ourselves and to see where else we can take our IP to help the business grow further,” said Shewchuk, president of Big Time Decent Productions.

Brar noted: “There’s a real hunger right now for character-driven, unscripted series with heart—and that’s currently what we do best. We’re excited to introduce our business and our content to the international market and to grow a distribution label that reflects the same creative values as our production company. I’m thrilled to have this opportunity and grateful to have Sarah McCormack by my side offering support and sharing her expertise.”

McCormack noted: “I’ve worked in the Canadian market for several years, so have long been aware of Big Time Decent and its brilliant, bold programs, great production values and storytelling skills. I am glad to have joined the team at such a pivotal time and look forward to introducing the business and its content to my network of potential buyers, producer partners and other IP owners.”