Canal+ Names New Head of Création Originale

Olivier Bibas has been appointed head of Canal+ Création Originale and will be responsible for Canal+’s French drama and international co-productions.

Bibas began his career at Canal+ in 1995 before joining the Lagardère Group in 2004 and has served as executive producer and managing director at Atlantique Productions, a subsidiary of Mediawan, since 2011. He has overseen the development and production of such international TV series as The Eddy, Midnight Sun, Hierro, Eden, Borgia and The Transporter and recently wrapped the filming of Django for Canal+ and Sky Studios.

Bibas will report to Gérald-Brice Viret, managing director of French TV channels and programs at Canal+ Group.

Fabrice de la Patellière, who has held the position of head of drama at Canal+ since
2002, will now move into production and partner with STUDIOCANAL to develop French and international series for television and platforms. De la Patellière launched the Création Originale label in 2005 with Arielle Saracco.

Viret said: “I am delighted that Olivier Bibas will soon join the Canal+ Group. His vision, recognized expertise and talent will be invaluable in proposing new major series with worldwide appeal. On behalf of the Group, I wish him the greatest success in this role.”