BBC Studios Grows in Scandinavia With Acquisition of STV

BBC Studios has posted another record financial year, the BBC annual report reveals, as the Corporation’s production and sales wing continues its aggressive commercial push.

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International BBC Studios, the commercial arm of the BBC, has passed £2 billion ($2.7 billion) in sales and nudged up profits to £240 million, but an advertising downturn is hitting its channels and streaming business. The corporation unveiled its annual report for 2022/2023 on Tuesday amid an ongoing presenter scandal that’s kept the BBC in national headlines since July 6. A planned virtual briefing with top brass was largely taken up by questions about the BBC’s handling of a complaint against one of its presenters, who remains unnamed due to privacy concerns. While BBC Studios CEO Tom Fussell was meant to brief select press about the annual report, this was canceled due to the wider scandal, which saw director general Tim Davie take the brunt of questions from journalists.

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International BBC Studios has taken a minority stake in Sarah Tyekiff’s unscripted production outfit Mettlemouse Entertainment. The production and distribution powerhouse, which announces its annual earnings on Tuesday, has taken a 25% stake in the company, which was set up by the former Lime Pictures unscripted boss. Tyekiff’s credits include “The Only Way Is Essex,” “Geordie Shore” and “Celebs Go Dating.” She also developed and produced a number of new formats including “Dance Monsters” (Netflix), “Stand Up and Deliver” (Channel 4) and “Who Do You Believe” (ABC).

BBC Studios has taken 25% of The Only Way is Essex and Geordie Shore exec Sarah Tyekiff’s new indie, Mettlemouse Entertainment.

Controversy surrounding “Miranda Sings” YouTuber Colleen Ballinger continues to grow, and now her podcasting partner and longtime friend is cutting ties with her.

EXCLUSIVE: A significant shakeup in the European indie film space is underway with the formation of new studio Vuelta Group, Deadline can reveal.

Ascendant Fox, one of the producers behind hit Stephen Graham indie pic Boiling Point, which is being made into a BBC TV series, has struck a development deal with BBC Studios and signed the commissioner of Netflix’s Bank of Dave.

not Henry Cavill, David Corenswet or even Tyler Hoechlin. The new animated Adult Swim / Max series, “My Adventures With Superman,” premiering July 6 and 7 (on Adult Swim and Max, respectively) is timely in the sense that Clark Kent has dominated recent headlines — be the late Christopher Reeve’s bizarre posthumous AI “cameo” in “The Flash” that outraged fans or the news that Corenswet will succeed Cavill in the big-screen DC movies,with “Mrs. Maisel” star Rachel Bosnahan replacing Amy Adams as Lois Lane. For better or worse, “My Adventures With Superman” is landing at peak “Superman” saturation.

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International When the BBC revealed it was adapting hit British indie film “Boiling Point” into a TV show, it was applauded as one of the most forward-thinking orders made at the public broadcaster in years — demonstrating the kind of savvy seen at global streamers, which are always quick on the draw in commissioning adjacent programming for a hit title. This time, Britain’s public broadcaster had also capitalized on a local sensation. The four-time BAFTA-nominated “Boiling Point” centred on a stressed-out head chef, played by “Matilda” star Stephen Graham, who quickly loses the room in a fast-paced kitchen. The movie, which released in the U.K. in January 2022, used an anxiety-inducing one-shot technique for the entire feature, heightening the intensity of the frenzied kitchen scenes. It later drew comparisons to another claustrophobic kitchen drama, FX series “The Bear,” which premiered last summer.

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International Cold, cold heart, hard done by you. And Glastonbury fans were certainly hard done by Elton John and Britney Spears on Sunday night. Spears was widely rumored to be joining John during his closing headline set at the British music festival, but in her place to sing their hit “Tiny Dancer” remix was — Brandon Flowers. Fans were stunned when The Killers frontman traipsed on stage instead of Spears, especially as the “Baby One More Time” singer had dropped Instagram hints in the lead-up to John’s set that suggested she was in the U.K. On Friday, Spears posted a picture of an oil painting featuring McDonald’s food and a vase of roses with three Union Jack flags as the caption. In another now-deleted post, she reportedly told fans she was heading to London this week, claiming it was for a shopping trip.

BBC Studios has bought STV, the Copenhagen-based producer of a local Scandinavian remake of The Office. The Scandi company will be rebranded under a BBC Studios moniker.

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International BBC drama “Informer,” which originally starred Paddy Considine, Bel Powley and Nabhaan Rizwan, is getting a German adaptation. Production has begun in Hamburg, Germany, on “Informant,” an adaptation of the All3Media International scripted format, which was BAFTA-nominated. The BBC One show was executive produced by Sam Mendes, who produced via his production outfit Neal Street Productions. The six-part German thriller is being produced by filmpool fiction (part of All3Media Deutschland) for NDR, ARD Degeto, ARTE and NRK (Norway). The show is expected to debut in fall 2024.

It took months of investigation after their arrests, but controversial social media star Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate have finally been charged. As we’ve been reporting, the divisive

Disgraced social media personality Andrew Tate was charged with rape, human trafficking, and forming an organized crime group in Romania, prosecutors announced on Tuesday (June 20)

Kevin Mayer and Tom Staggs’ Candle Media has struck a partnership with TikTok, with an initial focus on Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine to uncover underrepresented independent authors and literary material from the #BookTok community.

K.J. Yossman Controversial influencer and former professional kickboxer Andrew Tate has reportedly been charged with rape and human trafficking offences in Romania, according to U.K. reports. The BBC reported Tate, who was arrested by Romanian anti-terrorism authorities last December, has also been charged with “forming organised crime group to sexually exploit women.” According to the indictment Tate and three others have been engaging in human trafficking in Romania as well as the U.S. and the U.K. Tate’s brother Tristan has also reportedly been charged alongside two other suspects. The brothers are understood to have been under house arrest in Bucharest, Romania since March.

Michelle Keegan looked effortlessly stylish as she hung out with her husband, Mark Wright, during a romantic getaway.The 36 year old former Coronation Street actress wore a black cropped top with cream flowing drawstring trousers as she sat with TOWIE's Mark, also 36, on a lounge chair in Ibiza. Michelle looked sensational as she accessorised her relaxed look with black cat-eye sunglasses, a dainty gold necklace, and a cream summer hat.

LOLz! Who knew thirst traps were meant for Father’s Day?

Manori Ravindran Executive Editor of International When talent agency UTA officially opens shop in London on Thursday, it will be the latest American agency heavyweight to have a brick-and-mortar presence in the U.K. The 28,000-square-foot office at 1 Newman Street straddles Fitzrovia and trendy Soho. Designed by Gensler and Modus Workspace, the headquarters will be home to UTA’s music business as well as film and TV agents, and those working across everything from production arts to podcasting. The London office, which will be the agency’s European hub, will continue to be headed up by music agents Neil Warnock MBE and Obi Asika. UTA first carved out a presence in London in 2015 when it acquired British music practice The Agency Group. In 2021, the company expanded its footprint in music with the purchase of London-based Echo Location Talent Agency.

Friends. Now she's !"Happy Birthday Cocolicious! I love you and your sweet, caring, sensitive, spicy, original, salty, witty, beautiful heart.