Eureka Productions Ups Wes Dening to Formats Head

Fremantle-backed Eureka Productions has promoted Wes Dening to head of global formats.

In his new role, Dening will lead the expansion and execution of Eureka’s slate of international titles. In addition to Eureka-owned IP, this will include third-party formats from around the world as well as Fremantle Australia’s unscripted catalog.

Dening will take up the new position on July 1 and report to Chris Culvenor and Paul Franklin, Eureka’s Co-CEOs.

Dening first joined Eureka Productions in 2016 as senior VP of programming and development and was elevated to executive VP in 2018. During his time with the company, he has executive produced such unscripted shows as Holey Moley (ABC), Dating Around (Netflix), Finding Magic Mike (HBO Max), Twentysomethings: Austin (Netflix), Full Bloom (HBO Max), The Real Dirty Dancing (Fox) and Crikey! It’s The Irwins (Animal Planet).

Prior to joining Eureka, Dening was the founder and president of the international production company WDE, where he led the development and production of a successful slate of programs that have aired in more than 55 countries.

Culvenor and Franklin said: “Wes has played a leading role in making Eureka’s formats internationally recognized hits. Having him in this new position will help us to boost our output with a new slate of stand-out shows for TV networks and platforms in the U.S., Australia and around the world.”

Dening added: “Since Eureka’s launch, we’ve developed and produced one of the most successful unscripted slates in the business. I am thrilled to be taking this key global role, working with the company’s world-class teams in the U.S. and Australia to build on our track record of delivering international hits.”