FremantleMedia & Release the Hounds Creators Launch U.K. Indie

April 28, 2016 Joanna Padovano Tong Top Stories

LONDON: Sam Pollard and James Abadi, creators of the hit format Release the Hounds, have teamed up with FremantleMedia to launch Dr Pluto, a new U.K. indie.

Following an investment in the new company, FremantleMedia holds a 25 percent stake with the option to increase its share in the future. Pollard and Abadi, previously at Sony’s now-defunct Gogglebox Entertainment, are hoping that Dr Pluto will encourage a creative process that is less bound by genres and time slots. The company will develop concepts across all genres and platforms.

Pollard said: “All we are interested in is content that will stimulate people. James and I delineate ourselves by an ideology rather than by a genre: that ideology is original, subversive, clever and playful. We’ve created the character of Dr Pluto to personify these values.”

Abadi noted: “As well as developing cross-genre, we want to develop the very idea of genre. Before Release the Hounds there weren’t many horror reality comedy game shows around, and we are delighted it received recognition from our peers at the RTS awards.”

Pollard and Abadi also plan for the company to focus on diversity of mind.

Pollard commented: “Who cares if you’re a gender fluid Inuit but you devise and produce shows that are the same as shows already on TV? At Dr Pluto we begin each development process with a blank sheet of paper; each show is created bespoke. We believe the next biggest show in the world has to be something the viewers haven’t seen before.”

Abadi stated: “We’re not the only ones who want change. There is real desire within the industry for a new wave of bravery and creativity and we want to be at the vanguard.”

Caroline Murphy, the director of strategy and M&A at FremantleMedia, added: “Sam and James have a big vision for Dr Pluto, they are bold and disruptive and exactly the kind of creative talent we want in our network. We’re looking forward to working with them to maximize whatever brilliant ideas they come up with across our global network.”