TV Home Forum

Yet another FremantleMedia UK reshuffle

(February 2017)

This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive
WH
Whataday Founding member
Here we go again.

http://www.fremantlemedia.com/fremantlemedia-restructures-uk-operation-and-hires-liam-humphreys-to-oversee-unscripted-business/

The gist is, FremantleMedia UK - formerly known as TalkbackTHAMES formerly known as THAMES formerly known as Pearson Television formerly known as Thames Television - is having another shift about.

Non-scripted entertainment and factual (Thames, Boundless and Talkback) will come under one management umbrella, scripted comedy and drama (Retort & Euston Films) will fall under another.
SA
SA100
The new boss is so dull, he was dull dull dull at c4! He's the man that devised Eden and asked keo to make it...
NW
nwtv2003
Never got why they added further brands, would be a shame if they dropped the Thames name though. It's still a very strong brand.
VM
VMPhil
If I'm reading the article correctly, the brands will still exist as they do now. So, no new production endcaps to look out for.
WH
Whataday Founding member
Possibly, but I'd be surprised if the umbrella wasn't acknowledged somehow (ie Unscripted/Scripted). Perhaps they are waiting for him to join and settle in before developing some sort of identity.

If he's joining later this year, it's worth noting that the Thames brand is 50 next year, so would be fitting to give that more prominence.
NG
noggin Founding member
Possibly, but I'd be surprised if the umbrella wasn't acknowledged somehow (ie Unscripted/Scripted). Perhaps they are waiting for him to join and settle in before developing some sort of identity.

If he's joining later this year, it's worth noting that the Thames brand is 50 next year, so would be fitting to give that more prominence.


Sounds to me like a reorganise of management responsibilities and internal reporting structures rather than brands?
WH
Whataday Founding member
With its history of "Musical Brands" it certainly wouldn't surprise me, particularly as these changes include bringing in new personnel, not just a change in structure.
LS
Lou Scannon
If he's joining later this year, it's worth noting that the Thames brand is 50 next year, so would be fitting to give that more prominence.


I'd love to see just about anything other than the current apology-for-a-logo that was given to Thames at the last reshuffle.
DE88, Brekkie and Whataday gave kudos
NW
nwtv2003
I really liked this version, simple yet effective...

http://hub.tv-ark.org.uk/images/itvlondon/itvlondon-thamesmain/endboards/end2002-thamesl.jpg
JA
JAS84
Yeah, go back to something with either a reflection, or the skyline, or both. The current logo is a mess.
WH
Whataday Founding member
The actual limited company Thames Television Ltd (incorporated in 1968) traded all the way up to the merger with Talkback, albeit temporarily renamed Pearson Television Productions Ltd in the late 90s.

During the Pearson era, 'Thames' was relegated to a label along with Grundy and Alomo but effectively it was all still the remains of Thames.

The above logo is from the brief spell that Pearson Television Productions Ltd became Thames Television Ltd again.

It's said that Thames was ALMOST the global name chosen instead of FremantleMedia when CLT-UFA bought out Pearson TV. Unfortunately this didn't happen due to pronunciation problems in some countries.
Larry the Loafer and DE88 gave kudos
TI
tightrope78
Thames was such a recognisable world brand that the famous ident was even spoofed on the Simpsons!

Newer posts