Twentieth Century Fox TV, ITV in Programming Partnership

LOS ANGELES/LONDON, June
19: Twentieth Century Fox Television and British commercial broadcaster ITV
have inked an international programming partnership that includes the creation
of local versions of select titles in each other’s libraries.

A British version of Dharma
and Greg is already in the works
at ITV Productions, and other formats from both companies are being looked at
for reversioning in the U.K. or the U.S. The pair may also tap into each
other’s production facilities.

The deal also includes a
co-financed joint development fund for original programming that can be
produced collaboratively or separately for international exploitation. The
Shared Development Group will be headed up by Ann Johnson and Steve Sicherman
from Twentieth Century Fox and Kate Bartlett and Saurabh Kakkar from ITV Productions.

Gary Newman and Dana
Walden, the co-chairmen of Twentieth Century Fox Television, said in a joint
statement: “We have long recognized that American producers do not have a
monopoly on creativity or ideas for great television series. ITV has a fantastic
library and a vibrant, innovative development slate and we couldn’t be more
excited about this partnership. We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and
getting to work, and of course, we couldn’t be happier to be back in business
with Lee, who is a gifted executive and a good friend.”

The move follows the
appointment of ex-Fox executive Lee Bartlett as the new managing director of
ITV Global Content, succeeding Dawn Airey. Bartlett noted: “ITV has long had a
foot in the door of the biggest television market in the world. As of today
that door is well and truly open. Both ITV and Fox are committed to delivering
superlative programming that appeals to the largest possible audience. This
agreement presents tremendous opportunities for a transatlantic cross-fertilization
of ideas and talent; it is also testament to the high regard in which major
Hollywood producers regard ITV’s writing and producing talent. I look forward
to working with my counterparts at Fox to create great TV for viewers in
Britain, America and around the world.”

—By Mansha Daswani