Warner Bros. Bolsters Formats Slate with U.K. Deal

LONDON/BURBANK: Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) has secured the format and finished-program rights to upcoming television projects from British independent Outline Productions, kicking off with the BBC Two series Great British Food Revival.

WBITVP will have the exclusive right to sell the format rights to Outline’s newly commissioned product, as well as the international distribution rights to new finished programs. The deal, part of the studio’s efforts to boost its local-production business, was brokered by Chris Bonney, senior VP of sales and acquisitions.

“Outline has been responsible for a number of successful and groundbreaking series in the U.K.,” said Bonney. “Outline Productions has long been on our radar as a very talented team delivering breakthrough reality formats as well as high-performing entertainment and factual series. We very much look forward to working with them.”

Laura Mansfield, joint managing director of Outline Productions, added, “We’ve long been fans of Chris Bonney’s considered approach and expertise in international format distribution, and we’re all really looking forward to working with him and his enthusiastic, knowledgeable team. Bring into the mix Andrew Zein’s [senior VP, creative, format development and sales] positivity and insight into working with indies and formats, and for us it was a winning combination. I think that our shows and our blend of popular and purposeful factual entertainment should fit really well with their catalogue and expertise."