STV Productions and Primal Media have announced a two-year strategic co-production deal, which will see the two companies working together to pitch large-scale entertainment formats as production partners.
The partners will develop formats to target UK and international networks, with the aim that production of the shows is based in Scotland.
The creative production partnership forms part of STV’s ambitious plans to grow STV Productions into a world-class production company, focusing on developing returning series for terrestrial and digital players and serving the growing demand for quality programming from the nations and regions.
Innovative content producer, Primal Media, which is majority owned by Lionsgate, was founded in 2016 by Mat Steiner and Adam Wood, and is behind a range of big entertainment shows including Carnage, for Sky One, Rose D’Or winning Bigheads, for ITV, and RTS Award-winning Release The Hounds, for ITV2.
Primal Media is a joint venture with Lionsgate, who will be first in line to distribute any new formats that emerge from the partnership.
David Mortimer, managing director of STV Productions, said: “I’m so excited that we are teaming up with Primal Media. Adam and Mat are two of the most talented entertainment producers in the business, so I know we will do great things together.”
Gary Chippington, head of Entertainment at STV Productions, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with one of the most creative companies in the business.”
Adam Wood, managing director of Primal Media, said: “Every ambitious indie these days must have the option to produce in Scotland – if not, too many precious format slots will be out of reach. STV, with their scale, entrepreneurial leadership and deep-rooted Scottish production expertise, feel like the perfect partners, and we look forward to sharing ideas with David, Gary and their team.”
Last week, STV Productions announced that its drama team has secured television rights to two debut novels by Scottish authors. Best-seller Maggie & Me, by writer and columnist Damian Barr, and Fishnet, by award-winning journalist Kirsten Innes, have both been optioned and will be developed by head of Drama Development, Claire Armspach and head of Drama, Sarah Brown.
ENDS
For further information, please contact the STV press office:
Anna Hendry
0141 300 3830
anna.hendry@stv.tv
Katie Martin
0141 3003109
katie.martin@stv.tv
Contact: Katie Martin
