Roadshow Films Buys into Blink TV for Unscripted Push

Roadshow Films has purchased a 50-percent stake in the Australian production outfit Blink TV, which specializes in unscripted programming.

Blink TV is led by Paul Clarke, whose string of hits includes Spicks and Specks, Long Way to the Top, Bombora: The History of Australian Surfing, Wide Open Road and Whitlam: The Power and The Passion. Roadshow’s commercial manager, Grahame Grassby, will help lead the development of Blink TV’s series, formats and entertainment brands across the region.

Roadshow Films co-CEO Chris Chard said: “This investment in Blink TV is consistent with our strategy of expanding our production interests beyond scripted drama, positioning the company to capitalize on the increasing importance that unscripted formats and entertainment series have with broadcasters, subscription platforms and on multi-channel networks. We’ve enjoyed a strong history of success as a distributor with the brands Paul and the executive team at Blink TV have previously created and we are excited about the potential value that Blink can unlock, particularly with its impressive development slate.”

“Roadshow has had a long relationship with Paul and we are greatly excited about Blink’s potential,” said Roadshow Films co-CEO Joel Pearlman. “Paul and his team boast outstanding production experience and we look forward to working with them to develop their strong slate in the unscripted production space.”

Pearlman continued: “This compliments our move into scripted production last year with Roadshow Rough Diamond, headed by legendary producer John Edwards.”

Blink’s Clarke commented: “Roadshow is an Australian entertainment success story, a company with enormous integrity, capable of working at the highest level in international film and television. We are delighted to be partnering with them. Our big vision is to bring the Eurovision brand to Asia, with the support of SBS and the EBU; and Roadshow has a strong track record of successfully releasing entertainment projects through Northern Asia.”