New Factual Company Launched by ViacomCBS Alums

Claire McArdle and Rebecca Knight, two former ViacomCBS International senior execs, have partnered for the factual production company Collective Media Group.

Collective Media Group will work across a range of factual output, including high-end series, popular entertainment and podcasting. The company will have a particular focus on storytelling around iconic sports moments. McArdle and Knight are serving as co-CEOs.

Working collaboratively with on- and off-screen talent to develop, produce and distribute content that inspires audiences across a range of genres and platforms, Collective Media Group will also develop and produce its own IP. Additionally, the company will work with sports rights holders to bring their stories to global television screens.

Collective Media Group is already delivering the highlights shows for The Legends Tour, which are distributed in around 40 international markets. It has also delivered two seasons of The Harry Redknapp Show podcast in partnership with Global. At launch, Collective Media Group already has multiple series in development with international and sporting talent attached.

An Emmy Award-winning creative executive, McArdle has worked extensively across broadcast and digital platforms in a number of genres. She was VP of Comedy Central International Studios at ViacomCBS International and previously served as managing director and chief creative officer of OTRO. She has also held roles at Channel 4 and All3Media-owned Maverick Television.

Knight, who was VP of international production and business affairs for MTV, Comedy Central and Paramount, produced and negotiated across all genres of programming. She has worked with talent both in front and behind the camera for over 20 years.

McArdle said: “There is a huge opportunity in today’s landscape for talent and access-driven content, and we are fortunate to have access to some outstanding stories from across the world. Whilst sport-related stories will be the beating heart of Collective Media Group, we recognize the huge potential in the wider marketplace. Our aim is to convert our deep talent and access relationships into meaningful and long-lasting IP that can be exploited across multiple platforms.”

Knight added: “Each member of the team—from Claire and myself through to our producers—brings with them a unique set of talent relationships, organizational access and buyer contacts. It means we are already talking to all major players in the streaming and broadcast landscape and have a range of projects at development and contracting stages.”