Zinc Media Group Launches New Factual Label

Zinc Media Group has launched Rex, a new label that will feature premium, popular factual programs and documentaries.

BAFTA-winning executive producer Lana Salah will lead the label as creative director. She is known for her work on high-profile, long-running series such as SAS: Who Dares Wins, First Dates and Celebrity First Dates.

Salah joins from Shine TV, where she was executive producer. She has worked on a number of productions, including The Write Offs, Diamond Dealers, Cockney Geezers, Britain Underwater and Mary Berry’s A Berry Royal Christmas.

Previously, Salah was an established freelance program-maker with credits on Boobs, Anne Robinson’s Britain, Superhospital, Food Unwrapped, The House That Made Me, World’s Best Diet and a range of series with Jamie Oliver such as Jamie’s American Road Trip, Jamie Does, Ministry of Food, Jamie’s School Dinners and Jamie’s Return to School Dinners.

The new label will work with commissioners, collaborators and co-production partners in the U.K. and internationally, as well as with Zinc’s Branded Content division to bring innovative funding models to the table.

“Lana is an extraordinarily versatile and well-respected program-maker,” said Tanya Shaw, managing director of Zinc Television. “With over 20 years of production experience on some of the U.K.’s biggest popular factual series—from talent-led returning series to premium documentary series and singles—she has an extremely strong track record. I am beyond delighted that she is joining the team. She is a positive creative force and an absolute pleasure to work with, and I am thrilled that she is going to be heading up our new label.”

“As one of the market leaders in factual, Zinc has a fantastic portfolio of production labels,” added Shaw. “The launch of Rex allows us to combine Lana’s significant experience with our passion for making premium, popular factual and documentary programming. Rex sits perfectly alongside Red Sauce, with its factual entertainment ambitions and its regional footprint, and perfectly complements Tern’s work in the Nations. Under Rex, we will create content that brings a premium sensibility to popular factual and documentaries, working with the best on-screen talent to create must-watch, returnable series for the broadest possible audiences.”

Lana Salah, creative director of Rex says: “Throughout my career, I have been passionate about telling stories and making programs with heart and humor. I am so excited to be joining Tanya and the brilliant creatives at Zinc to build the business, make popular innovative television, as well as being committed to working with the best program-makers in the country and supporting the next generation of talent.”