FremantleMedia Aligns with Ex-BBC Exec

LONDON, December 18:
FremantleMedia has established a production company with Bea Ballard, the
former creative head and executive producer of BBC Entertainment Events, whose
credits include the British Saturday night hits How Do You Solve a Problem
Like Maria? and Any Dream Will
Do.

The new venture, 10 Star
Entertainment, was set up with an investment from FremantleMedia's 40 million
euros Talent Fund, established last year. The company will specialize in
formatted entertainment programming, with Ballard serving as CEO.
FremantleMedia will hold the international distribution rights for 10 Star
Entertainment's programming, as well as own a minority shareholding in the new
company.

"This is an
incredibly exciting new venture," Ballard said. "Big, imaginative and
surprising entertainment formats that create an event in the schedules are
vital for the television industry and I am looking forward to collaborating
with commissioning teams from a wide range of broadcasters. After considering a
number of options, we felt that FremantleMedia was the obvious partner for 10
Star Entertainment. They have a wealth of experience in entertainment shows and
can help launch our programs onto a worldwide stage."

Gary Carter,
FremantleMedia's president of creative networks, added: "Bea has
consistently been one of the most creative entertainment executives in recent
years. We are very excited to have been able to help her launch her new company
and are convinced the programming she will create will be successful in the U.K.
and, in collaboration with FremantleMedia, will also be successful across the
world."

—By Mansha Daswani