ITV Global Inks Exclusive Deal with Monkey Kingdom

LONDON: Indie production outfit Monkey Kingdom is making a larger push into drama with backing through an exclusive development and distribution agreement with ITV Global Entertainment.

The deal sees ITV Global Entertainment bolstering Monkey’s push into drama and supports a development slate of drama projects for the U.K. and international broadcasters. Founded in 2001, Monkey produces a wide range of contemporary scripted, factual and entertainment content for broadcast and online. Recent projects include The Charlotte Church Show and Prince Charles’ Other Mistress for Channel 4, Swinging and Best Friend Rehab for Five, Elton John: Me Myself and I and The Passions of Girls Aloud for ITV and Sound and Young, Dumb and Addicted to Mum for the BBC.

David Granger, the managing director of Monkey, said, “We want to come up with the most original ideas and ally them with the best talent. We also want to be able to develop them in whatever genre suits them best. What a joy then to have the might of ITV Global help us push further into the scripted arena. Whilst many bemoan the fact the scripted world is going through a difficult stage, to us it feels more like the time’s right for a new creative and commercial approach.”

Emmanuelle Namiech, the director of acquisitions and co-productions at ITV Global Entertainment, added, "Working with talented and innovative producers has never been so vital to bring scripted content to the widest audience possible. Monkey’s team have both the creative skills and commercial approach to develop fresh, bold new drama. We’re thrilled to support their talented team through this closer relationship."