Argonon, the super-indie behind “The Masked Singer U.K.” and “Hard Cell,” has launched a new U.S. production company that marks its first joint venture Stateside.
The new outfit, Rose Rock Entertainment, is a Jv with producer and former Spoke Studios executive Joe Weinstock, whose executive producer credits include reality hit “Duck Dynasty” for A&e and “Assembly Required” with “Home Improvement” star Tim Allen for History Channel.
Launching with offices on the West Coast and Oklahoma, Rose Rock will focus on delivering “cinematic Americana factual content” with an entertainment edge. The company will lean on Weinstock’s extensive track record finding talent in the heart of America, and build on his expertise of male-skewed factual.
The banner becomes the ninth global label in the group and underlines Argonon’s ambitions to boost its U.S. growth, build on its growing West Coast presence and long-term East Coast base,...
The new outfit, Rose Rock Entertainment, is a Jv with producer and former Spoke Studios executive Joe Weinstock, whose executive producer credits include reality hit “Duck Dynasty” for A&e and “Assembly Required” with “Home Improvement” star Tim Allen for History Channel.
Launching with offices on the West Coast and Oklahoma, Rose Rock will focus on delivering “cinematic Americana factual content” with an entertainment edge. The company will lean on Weinstock’s extensive track record finding talent in the heart of America, and build on his expertise of male-skewed factual.
The banner becomes the ninth global label in the group and underlines Argonon’s ambitions to boost its U.S. growth, build on its growing West Coast presence and long-term East Coast base,...
- 5/31/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Festivals
The Cannes Film Market has added to its previously announced Ukraine in Focus program, which will provide Ukrainian filmmakers and producers with networking, pitching and co-financing opportunities over two days during the Cannes Film Festival, on May 21 and 22. A panel discussion titled “Ukrainian Cinema: From Surviving to Thriving Again: How the Global Film Community Can Come Together to Support the Country’s War-Torn Industry” will take place on May 21.
In addition the market has confirmed the full endorsement and patronage of Ukrainian Films Now, an initiative promoted by Eave, First Cut Lab, and When East Meets West, which aims at gathering a pool of European regional and national film funds to support Ukrainian films at a late post-production stage to complete the final financial gap.
“We hope that these initiatives will allow Ukraine’s cinema and audiovisual industry to not only survive in the challenging context, but to thrive...
The Cannes Film Market has added to its previously announced Ukraine in Focus program, which will provide Ukrainian filmmakers and producers with networking, pitching and co-financing opportunities over two days during the Cannes Film Festival, on May 21 and 22. A panel discussion titled “Ukrainian Cinema: From Surviving to Thriving Again: How the Global Film Community Can Come Together to Support the Country’s War-Torn Industry” will take place on May 21.
In addition the market has confirmed the full endorsement and patronage of Ukrainian Films Now, an initiative promoted by Eave, First Cut Lab, and When East Meets West, which aims at gathering a pool of European regional and national film funds to support Ukrainian films at a late post-production stage to complete the final financial gap.
“We hope that these initiatives will allow Ukraine’s cinema and audiovisual industry to not only survive in the challenging context, but to thrive...
- 5/4/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Streaming
Discovery racked up subscription numbers during the opening week of the ongoing Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, the company has revealed. Eight times more viewers are streaming Olympic content on Discovery’s streaming services compared to the same period for Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, with total new paid subscribers already surpassing 2018 with a week of competition still to go. Three-quarters of a billion streaming minutes have been consumed on Discovery’s subscription services so far, more than 18 times higher than the same period of PyeongChang 2018. Average minutes consumed per viewer across Discovery Plus and Eurosport streaming services has more than doubled, with audiences also n average watching 29% longer on television vs PyeongChang 2018. Discovery’s free Olympic news and short video clips on Eurosport.com have also more than doubled their reach. On the linear TV front, Eurosport audiences have maintained 2018 levels.
Jean-Briac Perrette, president and CEO, Discovery streaming and International,...
Discovery racked up subscription numbers during the opening week of the ongoing Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, the company has revealed. Eight times more viewers are streaming Olympic content on Discovery’s streaming services compared to the same period for Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018, with total new paid subscribers already surpassing 2018 with a week of competition still to go. Three-quarters of a billion streaming minutes have been consumed on Discovery’s subscription services so far, more than 18 times higher than the same period of PyeongChang 2018. Average minutes consumed per viewer across Discovery Plus and Eurosport streaming services has more than doubled, with audiences also n average watching 29% longer on television vs PyeongChang 2018. Discovery’s free Olympic news and short video clips on Eurosport.com have also more than doubled their reach. On the linear TV front, Eurosport audiences have maintained 2018 levels.
Jean-Briac Perrette, president and CEO, Discovery streaming and International,...
- 2/15/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Animation
Legendary U.K. animation studio Aardman is teaming with filmmaker Gurinder Chadha (“Bend It Like Beckham”) on a new feature film project for family audiences. Described by the company as an “exuberant, warm-hearted musical,” the currently untitled Bollywood-inspired feature will follow Bodhi, a young Indian elephant from Kerala who dreams of becoming a famous Bollywood dancer.
Chadha is currently co-writing the screenplay with Paul Mayeda Berges (“What’s Cooking[/link]”) under their production banner Bend It Networks. The two companies will enlist top Indian voice talent, musicians and designers to develop the look and feel of the project.
“Aardman is a great British national treasure. I am honored and excited to bring my unique British Asian vision to their acclaimed animation studio. Their work has so much heart, humor and affection, and we share a love of authentic and joyful underdog stories about memorable characters – so it really is a perfect match,...
Legendary U.K. animation studio Aardman is teaming with filmmaker Gurinder Chadha (“Bend It Like Beckham”) on a new feature film project for family audiences. Described by the company as an “exuberant, warm-hearted musical,” the currently untitled Bollywood-inspired feature will follow Bodhi, a young Indian elephant from Kerala who dreams of becoming a famous Bollywood dancer.
Chadha is currently co-writing the screenplay with Paul Mayeda Berges (“What’s Cooking[/link]”) under their production banner Bend It Networks. The two companies will enlist top Indian voice talent, musicians and designers to develop the look and feel of the project.
“Aardman is a great British national treasure. I am honored and excited to bring my unique British Asian vision to their acclaimed animation studio. Their work has so much heart, humor and affection, and we share a love of authentic and joyful underdog stories about memorable characters – so it really is a perfect match,...
- 8/9/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
U.K. and U.S. production group Argonon has launched factual indie outfit Studio Leo, led by former Hat Trick executive Claire Collinson-Jones.
Studio Leo launches with “101 Years of Tesco,” an all-access three-part series for U.K. public service broadcaster Channel 5, which traces the British retail company’s rise, from a post-wwi market stall to the supermarket giant of today. The series is executive produced by Collinson-Jones and commissioned by Channel 5 commissioning editor Denise Seneviratne.
“This series marks 101 years of Tesco and the supermarket’s ability to adapt fast in the face of adversity,” said Seneviratne. “Through sheer determination, Claire Collinson-Jones at Studio Leo secured the access in the middle of a pandemic. I am confident that the Channel 5 audience will find the story both revealing and captivating.”
Collinson-Jones’ previous executive producer credits include hit formats for U.K. broadcasters, including “Rich House, Poor House” (Channel 5), “Dinner Date” (ITV...
Studio Leo launches with “101 Years of Tesco,” an all-access three-part series for U.K. public service broadcaster Channel 5, which traces the British retail company’s rise, from a post-wwi market stall to the supermarket giant of today. The series is executive produced by Collinson-Jones and commissioned by Channel 5 commissioning editor Denise Seneviratne.
“This series marks 101 years of Tesco and the supermarket’s ability to adapt fast in the face of adversity,” said Seneviratne. “Through sheer determination, Claire Collinson-Jones at Studio Leo secured the access in the middle of a pandemic. I am confident that the Channel 5 audience will find the story both revealing and captivating.”
Collinson-Jones’ previous executive producer credits include hit formats for U.K. broadcasters, including “Rich House, Poor House” (Channel 5), “Dinner Date” (ITV...
- 2/15/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Argonon, the superindie production group with a presence in London, New York and Los Angeles, is expanding in the branded content realm with the acquisition of U.K.-based video agency Nemorin Film & Video.
Nemorin’s client base includes global brands NBCUniversal, Nat Geo, Hugo Boss, McDonalds, Amazon and American Express.
The acquisition brings Nemorin founder and CEO Pete Fergusson, one of the pioneers in the branded content space, and COO and content director Graham Hayday, a branded content veteran, into the group. The deal was closed for Argonon by COO Laura Bessell.
Argonon CEO James Burstall has identified branded entertainment as a growth market for the group and the acquisition of Nemorin is expected to open new revenue pipelines, including developing and creating original IP, branded content and co-productions which will include collaborations with Argonon’s production companies on both sides of the Atlantic.
“There is a paradigm shift...
Nemorin’s client base includes global brands NBCUniversal, Nat Geo, Hugo Boss, McDonalds, Amazon and American Express.
The acquisition brings Nemorin founder and CEO Pete Fergusson, one of the pioneers in the branded content space, and COO and content director Graham Hayday, a branded content veteran, into the group. The deal was closed for Argonon by COO Laura Bessell.
Argonon CEO James Burstall has identified branded entertainment as a growth market for the group and the acquisition of Nemorin is expected to open new revenue pipelines, including developing and creating original IP, branded content and co-productions which will include collaborations with Argonon’s production companies on both sides of the Atlantic.
“There is a paradigm shift...
- 12/7/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
London and New York-headquartered superindie production group Argonon has expanded its U.S. operations with the launch of Argonon USA, gearing up Los Angeles-based West Coast facilities, and making several key appointments.
Lindsay Schwartz joins as chief creative officer for Argonon Group-backed Leopard USA. She was previously with Story Street, part of The Content Group at Asylum Entertainment where she was senior VP of development.
Argonon CEO James Burstall will head the U.S. operation, supported by Leopard USA chief operating officer Shirley Escott in a newly expanded role. Argonon is also appointing a West Coast advisor to open dialogue with production and digital companies as part of an acquisitions strategy.
Lindsay will report into both Burstall and Escott.
Argonon has also announced internal promotions across the Leopard USA team. Corporate controller Matt Widmayer is upped to Leopard USA New York bureau chief and Livvy Clackett becomes executive in charge of production.
Lindsay Schwartz joins as chief creative officer for Argonon Group-backed Leopard USA. She was previously with Story Street, part of The Content Group at Asylum Entertainment where she was senior VP of development.
Argonon CEO James Burstall will head the U.S. operation, supported by Leopard USA chief operating officer Shirley Escott in a newly expanded role. Argonon is also appointing a West Coast advisor to open dialogue with production and digital companies as part of an acquisitions strategy.
Lindsay will report into both Burstall and Escott.
Argonon has also announced internal promotions across the Leopard USA team. Corporate controller Matt Widmayer is upped to Leopard USA New York bureau chief and Livvy Clackett becomes executive in charge of production.
- 8/10/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Kate Llewellyn-Jones.
Beyond International is merging its two London-based distribution outfits, Beyond Distribution and the recently acquired Tcb Media Rights.
Kate Llewellyn-Jones, a former MD of Tcb Media Rights, has been named CEO of the new entity, Beyond Rights.
In addition to the Beyond and Tcb teams in London, the new business will incorporate Beyond’s office in Dublin and team members based in Sydney, including Joanne Azzopardi, senior VP, international sales and acquisitions for Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
For the past 18 months, Llewellyn-Jones has been a commercial consultant. She served as MD of Tcb Media Rights from 2015 to 2018. Before that she spent 12 years at Cineflix Rights.
Michael Murphy, Beyond Distribution’s general manager, will remain with the Beyond Group in an executive director role, working alongside Mikael Borglund, CEO and MD of Beyond International, on recent joint venture BeyondTNC, as well as corporate administration and business development.
Beyond...
Beyond International is merging its two London-based distribution outfits, Beyond Distribution and the recently acquired Tcb Media Rights.
Kate Llewellyn-Jones, a former MD of Tcb Media Rights, has been named CEO of the new entity, Beyond Rights.
In addition to the Beyond and Tcb teams in London, the new business will incorporate Beyond’s office in Dublin and team members based in Sydney, including Joanne Azzopardi, senior VP, international sales and acquisitions for Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
For the past 18 months, Llewellyn-Jones has been a commercial consultant. She served as MD of Tcb Media Rights from 2015 to 2018. Before that she spent 12 years at Cineflix Rights.
Michael Murphy, Beyond Distribution’s general manager, will remain with the Beyond Group in an executive director role, working alongside Mikael Borglund, CEO and MD of Beyond International, on recent joint venture BeyondTNC, as well as corporate administration and business development.
Beyond...
- 7/26/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
Australia’s Beyond International is to acquire U.K. distributor Tcb Media Rights, previously owned by Kew Media Group, which became insolvent last month.
Beyond is buying Tcb from Fti Consulting Canada Inc., the official receiver for Kew Media Group.
The acquisition will be completed through Beyond’s Ireland-based subsidiary, Beyond Entertainment Limited (Bel).
In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, Beyond said it will acquire 100% of the share capital of Tcb for cash and will also advance funding to Tcb to repay an intercompany debt owing to Kew.
Financial details of the transaction were not revealed. However, Beyond said the deal, which will be paid for with cash and debt facilities, is worth less than 10% of Byi’s current assets as at Dec. 31, 2019.
Founded in 2012 by Paul Heaney, non-scripted factual specialist Tcb’s television sales portfolio includes “Abandoned Engineering,” “Combat Ships,” “Egypt’s Unexplained Mysteries,” and the recently...
Beyond is buying Tcb from Fti Consulting Canada Inc., the official receiver for Kew Media Group.
The acquisition will be completed through Beyond’s Ireland-based subsidiary, Beyond Entertainment Limited (Bel).
In a statement to the Australian Stock Exchange, Beyond said it will acquire 100% of the share capital of Tcb for cash and will also advance funding to Tcb to repay an intercompany debt owing to Kew.
Financial details of the transaction were not revealed. However, Beyond said the deal, which will be paid for with cash and debt facilities, is worth less than 10% of Byi’s current assets as at Dec. 31, 2019.
Founded in 2012 by Paul Heaney, non-scripted factual specialist Tcb’s television sales portfolio includes “Abandoned Engineering,” “Combat Ships,” “Egypt’s Unexplained Mysteries,” and the recently...
- 4/2/2020
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
Miami’s Natpe market kicks off on Tuesday, but deal announcements are already landing. London-based Tcb Media Rights has sold 130 hours of content to Latin America, Cineflix and National Geographic Latin America closed a deal for four titles, and Discovery Latin America picked up popular makeover format “10 Years Younger” from All3Media.
Tcb’s 130 Hours
Riding a wave of interest generated by November’s Mip Cancun market in Mexico, London-based distribution company Tcb Media Rights has closed a raft of sales deals from its factual entertainment catalog.
In a two-title deal with A+E Latin America, Tcb has sold Discovery Science/UKTV’s “Abandoned Engineering” and UKTV’s “Shipwreck Secrets” from history and science factual programming specialist and rights management company Like a Shot.
“Abandoned Engineering,” now heading into its fourth season, is one of Tcb’s highest-profile titles having sold to more than 30 territories over the past four years. The...
Tcb’s 130 Hours
Riding a wave of interest generated by November’s Mip Cancun market in Mexico, London-based distribution company Tcb Media Rights has closed a raft of sales deals from its factual entertainment catalog.
In a two-title deal with A+E Latin America, Tcb has sold Discovery Science/UKTV’s “Abandoned Engineering” and UKTV’s “Shipwreck Secrets” from history and science factual programming specialist and rights management company Like a Shot.
“Abandoned Engineering,” now heading into its fourth season, is one of Tcb’s highest-profile titles having sold to more than 30 territories over the past four years. The...
- 1/20/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.