BBC Studios Sets Up Streamlined Global Entertainment Unit

BBC Studios is bringing together its three format areas and integrating its worldwide network of production bases to create a new unified global entertainment business under the leadership of Matt Forde.

Forde will assume the role of managing director for global entertainment. He is currently managing director for international productions and formats and will retain this responsibility.

The move brings together entertainment and music, factual entertainment and events and international productions and formats teams to form a single standalone genre. Global entertainment will also house the company’s invested indies Mothership Productions and Mettlemouse Entertainment and continue to work closely with indie partners, including Magnum Media, Final Straw Productions, Rebel Rebel Pictures and Hungry Bear Media.

Hannah Wyatt and Suzy Lamb will continue to lead the U.K.-based factual entertainment and events and entertainment and music teams as managing directors, respectively, reporting to Forde and working closely with him to create a leadership board for the new business.

Ralph Lee, CEO of BBC Studios Productions, said: “Taking our formats success to another level is key to our long-term growth, and this move is in response to the substantial changes in the global market where there’s a very high demand for more familiar and trusted brands. Matt’s track record in recognizing the global appeal of our shows and overseeing their successful adoption by partners in multiple territories is second to none, and I’m delighted he’s agreed to lead this new business.”

Forde added: “As the global entertainment market continues to evolve at pace, bringing our U.K. businesses into the center of what we do will help us to continue creating, selling and adapting the best shows and brands from the U.K., working with the amazing talent in our local BBC Studios offices to deliver the next generation of entertainment and reality programs to the world.”