News

Blink49 Studios has named Kate Pfetsch as VP of partnerships for its newly established Brand Studio.

Based in New York, Pfetsch will report to Adam Puchalsky, who joined the Fifth Season-backed company in January as president of Brand Studio to spearhead the expansion into brand-funded entertainment.

Pfetsch arrives with significant branded entertainment credentials, most recently serving as global senior director of content strategy and head of the Content Studio at Marriott International. In that role, she led award-winning global content initiatives that elevated the hospitality giant’s brand presence through original programming and storytelling.

Before Marriott, Pfetsch was supervising producer for branded entertainment at Discovery Communications, developing and producing branded content across multiple networks.

“Kate is a world-class creative and strategist with a proven ability to bridge brand objectives with premium entertainment,” said Puchalsky. “Her leadership will be a key asset as we continue building a division dedicated to delivering innovative,...

Bing Chen, executive chairman and CEO of Gold House, issued a dire warning on Monday about artificial intelligence: the emerging digital technology stands to eliminate entry-level entertainment industry jobs.

“The notion of replacing entry-level jobs for our children, we have yet to have a solution. Because this is no longer about upscaling. This is about full replacement of you when you were 22, 27 or 28,” Chen told the Banff World Media Festival.

But Kevin Johnson, CEO of Wpp Media Canada and president and Wpp Media, countered the jury was still out on whether AI will cut a swathe through the economy and take over jobs, never to be replaced, or instead could create new opportunities and reshape the workspace.

“I think it’s way to early for us to press the button and say our kids are not going to have a job anymore, or worrying about what I feel was the same when computers came in,...

Fifth Season-backed Blink49 Studios has received a strategic investment from Bell Media, the Canadian media giant.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the aim is bolstering Blink49’s scripted and unscripted content slate. The investment deal is set to close in fall 2025.

John Morayniss, Patrice Theroux, Jeff Lynas and Nelson Kuo-Lee — all veteran executives from Entertainment One — launched Blink49 Studios as a Canadian-based indie banner in fall 2021 to develop and produce both scripted and unscripted content.

Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) became the lead strategic investor in Blink49, which is headquartered in Toronto and has offices in Los Angeles, and is also the production banner’s main distribution partner. Bell Media and Blink49 have already partnered with a first look global scripted and second-look unscripted deal with Lilly Singh’s Unicorn Island Productions.

“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve built at Blink49 in just a few short years,...

Exclusive: Stapleview, the digital comedy production outfit founded by Sam Grey, is expanding its North American footprint with a strategic investment from Blink49 Studios as well as two key hires.

The capital raise from Blink49 Studios, a Fifth Season-backed company, will fuel the growth of Stapleview’s production and management divisions, particularly helping to scale the company’s slate of scripted and unscripted comedy for a broader North American audience.

In particular, Stapleview and Blink49 will focus on co-producing long-form adaptations of Stapleview’s digital comedy series and formats for the U.S. and Canadian markets. Stapleview will also launch a Canadian content hub to manage Canadian talent and develop original series and formats with the Canadian creative community.

Stapleview, which launched in March of 2022, has already had an eye on expansion in the last year with the hire of co-founder and COO Daniel Lantsman. The company has been focused...

Exclusive: Blink49 Studios, the Canadian production company behind series including Wild Cards and Sight Unseen, is expanding its scripted team.

The Fifth Season-backed business has hired Andy Bourne, who was most recently head of limited series at Amazon Studios, as SVP, Scripted Television. It has also hired Mackenzie Donaldson, who has worked on series including Orphan Black and Snowpiercer, as VP, Scripted Television.

Based in Los Angeles, Bourne took on the role of head of limited series at Amazon in 2023. He has worked on series including Cross, Better Sister, starring Elizabeth Banks and Jessica Biel, and Blade Runner. Before that, he spent 18 months as co-head of external development at the company. He was previously at 20th Century Television, where he was SVP, Development, working on titles such as The Old Man (FX), Dopesick (Hulu), Percy Jackson (Disney+), The Chi (Showtime), Queen of the South (USA), Hot Zone (National Geographic), and...

Blink49 Studios is bulking up its executive roster with a series of promotions and a key hire as the Fifth Season-backed production banner continues to expand its footprint in the global content market.

Former Lionsgate executive Andrew Nissen has joined the company as VP of scripted television, reporting to Carolyn Newman, executive VP of global scripted. Based in Los Angeles, Nissen transitions from his previous role as director of scripted television development at Lionsgate, where he helped shepherd high-profile projects including “A Gentleman in Moscow.”

The Toronto-headquartered studio also elevated four senior executives. Allison Brough moves up to senior VP of unscripted television in Toronto, continuing to oversee the company’s reality slate under Toby Dormer, executive VP of unscripted television.

Lucy Galstyan has been upped to senior VP of business and legal affairs, unscripted, operating from the L.A. office and reporting to Nicole Levinsohn, executive VP of business and legal affairs.

Blink49 Studios, the Canadian production group backed by Fifth Season, is staffing up in formats and branded content.

The company has hired former Warner Bros. exec Adam Steinman and Adam Puchalsky, who previously worked at Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat.

Steinman has spent the last couple of years under an overall deal at Walt Disney Television Alternative through his company Mount Royal Films after joining from Warner Bros. International Television Production, where he spent over 13 years working on formats such as The Bachelor and Impractical Jokers. He has been named EVP, Global Formats and Acquisitions.

Based in LA, he has been tasked with identifying, acquiring, and developing entertainment formats in scripted and unscripted. He will report to Tara Long, President of Global Unscripted, and Pancho Mansfield, President of Scripted.

Puchalsky has named President, Brand Studio and has been tasked with creating brand-driven content. Based in New York, he has also worked at Wavemaker and Um Studios.

Exclusive: Pancho Mansfield is turning his producing deal with Blink49 Studios into an executive position.

Mansfield has been named President, Global Scripted Television at the company, which was founded by his former eOne boss John Morayniss.

Earlier this summer, Deadline revealed that he had struck a first-look deal with the company and was working on a problem-solving procedural with writer and producer Andrew Miller.

He will now oversee its worldwide scripted programming strategy including development and production of original content across global markets. He will report to Morayniss.

Mansfield was previously President, Global Scripted Television at eOne and oversaw its scripted slate, which includes Showtime’s Yellowjackets, Paramount+’s A Gentleman in Moscow, HBO’s Sharp Objects, ABC’s The Rookie and spinoff The Rookie: Feds, Freeform’s Cruel Summer, Fox’s Deputy, HBO’s Run and Netflix’s The Recruit.

Before working at eOne, Mansfield had his own banner...

Blink49 Studios is staffing up its unscripted division.

The Fifth Season-backed company has hired Below Deck exec producer Nadine Rajabi as EVP, Unscripted.

Rajabi, based in LA, will report to Tara Long, who Deadline revealed earlier this year had joined the John Morayniss-run business as President of Unscripted Global Television.

She will work alongside Ri-Karlo Handy, SVP, Unscripted, the former Bounce TV exec who joined the company at the same time as Long to develop projects and oversee current in the U.S.

Rajabi has exec produced series including Below Deck Mediterranean and Below Deck and had a first-look deal with NBCUniversal via her Tanks Girl Productions banner.

“Nadine’s demonstrated success will be instrumental in advancing Blink49’s unscripted strategy forward,” said Long. “I have no doubt that she will dedicate her efforts to delivering best-in-class content, collaborating with top-tier talent and ensuring high-quality storytelling.”

“It’s been...

Exclusive: Pancho Mansfield has reunited with his old eOne boss John Morayniss and former colleague Carolyn Newman.

Mansfield, who was President, Global Scripted Television at eOne, has struck a first-look producing with Blink49 Studios, the production company that Morayniss co-founded in 2021.

In that former role, Mansfield oversaw eOne’s scripted slate, which includes Showtime’s Yellowjackets, Paramount+’s A Gentleman in Moscow, HBO’s Sharp Objects, ABC’s The Rookie and spinoff The Rookie: Feds, Freeform’s Cruel Summer, Fox’s Deputy, HBO’s Run and Netflix’s The Recruit.

Mansfield has already set his first project with Blink49 Studios, which is backed by Fifth Season, the company formerly known as Endeavor Content. He is working on a problem-solving procedural with writer and producer Andrew Miller, who recently worked on Disney+’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Before working at eOne, Mansfield had his own banner that had a first...

Hallmark’s canceled western “Ride,” starring Nancy Travis (“Last Man Standing”) is galluping to The CW, which picked up repeats of the show to air next month. The 10-episode series will launch on Monday, January 22 at 8 p.m., paired with “Wild Cards” at 9 p.m.

“Ride” is described as “a multigenerational family drama that follows the lives of the McMurrays, a tight-knit family that embarks on a journey of self-discovery on the heels of a tragic loss as they uncover a twisted web of secrets that threatens to tear the family and their Colorado town apart.” Beau Mirchoff, Tiera Skovbye, Sara Garcia, Jake Foy and Tyler Jacob Moore also star.

Blink49 Studios and Seven24 Films, in partnership with Bell Media for CTV Drama Channel in Canada, produce the show, which is based on an original script by husband and wife writing team Rebecca Boss and Chris Masi, who executive produce...

Ride will ride again on the CW.

The network announced today that it picked up the 10-episode first season of the Yellowstone-like drama that starred Nancy Travis (Last Man Standing). The series, which follows a bucolic but cash-strapped ranch that’s operated by a widowed parent (Travis) who loses a beloved family member, was recently canceled by Hallmark.

The CW will begin airing the series on Monday, January 22, followed by an encore episode of the new original scripted series Wild Cards.

The network has no plans to order a second season of Ride, at least for now.

Travis plays matriarch Isabel Murray; the drama also stars Beau Mirchoff (Good Trouble), Jake Foy (Designated Survivor) and Marcus Rosner (Arrow) as her sons Cash, Tuff and Austin. Tiera Skovbye plays Austin’s wife, Missy. The first season launched in March on Hallmark.

Ride is co-produced by Blink49 Studios and Seven24 Films,...

Exclusive: Tara Long, eOne’s President, Global Unscripted Television, is leaving the company after ten years.

Long’s departure comes after Lionsgate acquired the company from Hasbro.

Deadline understands that she is now in the process of setting up her own shop and is set to strike a deal with her former eOne boss John Morayniss and his Blink49 Studios.

Long joined eOne in 2012 and has shepherded unscripted series such as We tv’s Growing Up Hip Hop franchise, MTV’s Ex On The Beach and Siesta Key, E!’s LadyGang, BET’s Hustle in Brooklyn, Death Row Chronicles and Emmy-nominated LA Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later, A&e’s Biggie: The Life of Notorious B.I.G. and Gsn’s America Says.

Earlier this month, it emerged that Lionsgate was cutting eOne’s workforce by about 10% after the deal closed in August.

Morayniss, who ran eOne’s television business between 2008 and...

Fifth Season-backed Blink49 Studios has acquired a majority stake in Front Street Pictures, a prolific TV series and movies producer for Hallmark, Lifetime, Sony, Universal, Warner Bros., Tubi and Paramount.

Terms of the investment were not disclosed, but the agreement expands Blink49’s Canadian production reach as part of its first major acquisition. Vancouver-based Front Street Pictures will continue to operate under its own banner and be led by president Charles Cooper as it expands its focus on TV movie production.

John Morayniss, Patrice Theroux, Jeff Lynas and Nelson Kuo-Lee — all veteran executives from Entertainment One — launched Blink49 Studios as a Canadian-based indie banner in 2021 to develop and produce both scripted and unscripted content. Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content) became the lead strategic investor in Blink49, which is headquartered in Toronto and has offices in Los Angeles, and is also the production banner’s main distribution partner.

“We’re thrilled...

Blink49 Studios has unveiled a joint venture with Transatlantic Agency, the Toronto-based literary management company, to develop and produce original content for the international marketplace.

The partnership, unveiled ahead of the Banff World Media Festival, offers Blink49 access to Transatlantic’s roster of book authors and IP to co-produce originals via its production and distribution arms. Blink49 will serve as the lead studio and along with Fifth Season will have a first look for international distribution rights.

The joint venture will build a pipeline for Blink49 Studios of book adaptations out of Canada to be put through the indie studio for international exploitation.

John Morayniss and fellow former eOne execs launched Blink49 Studios as a Canadian-based indie banner in 2021 to develop and produce both scripted and unscripted content. Endeavor Content, which rebranded as Fifth Season, became the lead strategic investor in Blink49, which is headquartered in Toronto and has offices in Los Angeles,...

Blink49 Studios has partnered with Khaled Hosseini’s literary agency Transatlantic, its second major deal with a management company of the past year.

Under the pact, Blink49 will be handed access to Transatlantic’s author and IP roster to produce original projects, while being given a first-look on international distribution rights to projects that come out of the joint venture alongside Blink49 investor Fifth Season.

Transatlantic represents the likes of The Kite Runner scribe Hosseini along with Iain Reid, Marissa Stapley, Naben Ruthnum, Katherena Vermette, Amy Stuart, Mg Vassanji, Karma Brown, Jesse Thistle, Zoe Whittall, Samra Habib and Catherine Hernandez. Run by Samantha Haywood, it reps more than 800 clients and has offices across the U.S.

Blink49 said the Transatlantic deal is a “first of its kind in Canada.”

“Transatlantic represents some of the best-selling authors and storytellers working in Canada, the U.S. and internationally,” said Blink49 CEO John Morayniss.

Canadian YouTuber and former late night star Lilly Singh has partnered with Blink49 Studios and Bell Media on a unique first-look global scripted and second-look unscripted deal under her Unicorn Island Productions banner.

Under the deal, Singh and Unicorn’s head of development, Polly Auritt, will focus on creating and producing television content that showcases underrepresented communities. Projects created under the pact will be executive produced by Singh and Auritt along with Carolyn Newman, executive VP of global scripted at Bell Media, and Virginia Rankin, executive producer for Blink49 Studios.

Singh, a Scarborough, Ont. native, is also known by her YouTube name Superwoman and has more than 38 million followers across her social media platforms. She is a judge on Rogers Media’s “Canada’s Got Talent,” and is coming off two seasons of her late night series, “A Little Late With Lilly Singh,” which aired until summer 2021 on NBC. Up...

Hallmark Channel has an exciting new original series in the works.

The cabler on Monday announced a series order for Ride, an all-new, original primetime series set to begin production this summer in Calgary, Alberta in Canada.

The series will premiere on Hallmark Channel in 2023 and is co-produced by Endeavor Content-backed Blink49 Studios and Seven24 Films, in partnership with Bell Media for CTV Drama Channel in Canada.

The series is based on an original script by husband and wife writing team Rebecca Boss & Chris Masi, who along with Sherri Cooper-Landsman are showrunners and executive producers.

The series is described as "a multigenerational family ensemble following the lives of the Murrays, part of a rodeo dynasty going back a generation, as they struggle to keep their beloved ranch afloat."

"After a tragic loss, each character embarks on an empowering journey of transformation and self-discovery while also uncovering a twisted web of secrets,...

Exclusive: Saddle up, Hallmark fans: the channel has greenlit Ride, an original primetime series about a rodeo dynasty.

Set to premiere in 2023, Ride is described as a multigenerational family drama that follows the lives of the Murrays as they struggle to keep their beloved ranch afloat. Here’s the logline: “After a tragic loss, each character embarks on an empowering journey of transformation and self-discovery while also uncovering a twisted web of secrets, threatening to tear the family and their small Colorado town apart at the seams. Emotions run high and clashes are common in the complicated Murray clan, but they are a tight-knit group who don’t give up easily. And the three strong women of the family – widowed rodeo queen Missy, matriarch Isabel, and former teen run-away Valeria – resolve to stand strong against all challenges and save their land, come what may.”

Production on Ride is set to begin this summer in Calgary,...

Exclusive: Lucifer exec producer Sheri Elwood has struck a first-look deal with Blink49 Studios, the Endeavor Content-backed studio founded by John Morayniss.

It marks the first showrunner deal for the company, which was founded by the former eOne Television chief and a cadre of former colleagues last year.

Elwood exec produced Fox’s Lucifer as well as ABC’s Whiskey Cavalier and CBC drama Moonshine and she created Jason Priestley’s Canadian comedy drama Call Me Fitz that Morayniss was one of the exec producers of.

She will develop scripted series across broadcast, cable and streaming.

It comes as the company has rebranded slightly from Blink Studios to Blink49 Studios. Current projects for the nascent producer including an adaptation of Charlene Carr’s Hold My Girl, with Snowfall producer Groundswell Productions’ Michael London and Shannon Gaulding set to exec produce.

The deal was brokered by Amanda Burnett of UTA, Leg...

Amazon Prime Video announced the upcoming series “As We See It” will premiere all eight episodes on Jan. 21, 2022 and released a trailer for it.

The series follows 20-something roommates — Jack (Rick Glassman), Harrison (Albert Rutecki) and Violet (Sue Ann Pien), who are on the autism spectrum — as they strive to get jobs, make friends and fall in love. The trailer features each of the roommates tackling their goals, with the help of family and friends along the way. “I think you are such a beautiful person that you shouldn’t have to hide who you are,” says their aide Mandy (Sosie Bacon) to Jack. “That makes me want to throw up,” he responds.

The series also stars Chris Pang as Violet’s brother Van and Joe Mantegna as Jack’s father Lou. Writer Jason Katim executive produces with Jeni Mulein, Danna Stern, Dana Idisis, Yuval Shafferman and Udi Segal. Jesse Peretz...

Blink Studios, backed by Endeavor Content, has hired former Netflix and Will Packer Media exec Carolyn Newman as executive vp of global scripted, while Virginia Rankin has been named executive producer.

The indie studio recently launched by CEO John Morayniss and other former eOne execs has set Los Angeles-based Newman to focus on developing scripted content. While at the Night School producer Will Packer Media, Newman was head of scripted TV and production, and before that was director of original series for Netflix where her credits included Clickbait, The Serpent, Echoes, Partner Track, Anatomy of a Scandal and Feel Good.

Newman also completed executive ...

Former Entertainment One TV CEO John Morayniss has reunited with several of his former colleagues to launch Blink Studios, a new independent studio launched with the backing of Endeavor Content. Morayniss will serve as CEO of the company, which will be based in Toronto with an office in Los Angeles.

Morayniss is forming Blink with fellow eOne alums Patrice Theroux (who will serve as executive vice chair), Nelson Kuo-Lee (who will serve as CFO) and Jeff Lynas (who will serve as COO).

Blink will focus on both scripted and unscripted fare, with an eye toward the global marketplace. Endeavor Content, described as Blink’s anchor investor and lead strategic partner, will serve as the new studio’s worldwide priority distribution partner.

Blink will place much of its emphasis in investing in Canadian production companies, and also plans to strike overall deals with writers, creators, producers and others. One of the...

Former eOne Television chief John Morayniss has launched a new production venture with a handful of his former colleagues and backing from Endeavor Content.

Morayniss, Patrice Theroux, Jeff Lynas and Nelson Kuo-Lee have established Blink Studios, headquartered in Toronto with offices in LA. The studio will develop and produce scripted and unscripted content for the global market with Endeavor Content as its “priority” distribution partner.

The company will look to invest in Canadian production companies as well as strike deals with writers and producers and pursue IP in Canada and around the world.

Morayniss led eOne’s television business between 2008 and 2018 after cofounding Canadian indie Blueprint Entertainment, which was acquired by eOne. He left after Mark Gordon became eOne’s President and Chief Content Officer, Film, Television and Digital, overseeing all of its creative units.

Theroux was previously eOne’s President of Film and Television from 2007 to 2014, Lynas handled day-to-day...

John Morayniss, Patrice Theroux, Jeff Lynas, and Nelson Kuo-Lee— all veteran executives from Entertainment One— have launched Blink Studios, a Canadian-based indie banner that will develop and produce both scripted and unscripted content.

Endeavor Content will act as its lead strategic investor in Blink, which will be headquartered in Toronto with offices in Los Angeles, with Endeavor co-president Chris Rice joining the outfit as a board member. Endeavor will also be Blink’s priority distribution partner.

Former CBC head Kirstine Stewart has been appointed as non-executive board chair for the company that, in addition to producing content, plans to make ...

John Morayniss, Patrice Theroux, Jeff Lynas, and Nelson Kuo-Lee— all veteran executives from Entertainment One— have launched Blink Studios, a Canadian-based indie banner that will develop and produce both scripted and unscripted content.

Endeavor Content will act as its lead strategic investor in Blink, which will be headquartered in Toronto with offices in Los Angeles, with Endeavor co-president Chris Rice joining the outfit as a board member. Endeavor will also be Blink’s priority distribution partner.

Former CBC head Kirstine Stewart has been appointed as non-executive board chair for the company that, in addition to producing content, plans to make ...

Melissa Grego’s three-year stint as the CEO of the Hollywood Radio and Television Society will continue on. Today, the Hrts announced that Grego’s role has been re-upped. The organization’s also released the names of its newly-elected Executive Officers and Board Members, and the industry leaders newly appointed to serve as Advisory Council members.

“It has been my great honor to work alongside Melissa Grego as President of Hrts over the past three years,” said outgoing Hrts President Marc Korman, in a statement. “Melissa joined Hrts with a shared vision to transform Hrts to support the membership and meet today’s challenges in the industry. I’m so proud of the work that we’ve done to make Hrts a community that is inclusive of all people working in TV and entertainment, and I look forward to continuing our efforts as a Board Member. Our newly-elected officers are...

Pepper leaves post as head of television at The Mark Gordon Company.

Nick Pepper is leaving his job as head of television at The Mark Gordon Company and reportedly taking up a similar post at Legendary Television.

Source: Legendary Television

The move comes a few days after Entertainment One (eOne) named Mark Gordon its president and chief content officer for film, television and digital and agreed to buy the half of The Mark Gordon Company it did not already own.

eOne also appointed Steve Bertram as president of film, television and digital and said that John Morayniss, previously co-president with Bertram of the global independent’s film and TV operations, would be stepping down.

In what eOne described as an “amicable departure,” Pepper will leave his current job at the end of May and is expected to step into a new position at Legendary, whose head of scripted television, Lauren Whitney, left last October...

Steve Bertram becomes eOne president, film, television and digital.

Source: eOne

eOne has appointed producer Mark Gordon president and chief content officer, film, television and digital and agreed to buy the 49% of The Mark Gordon Company that it did not already own for $209m.

Steve Bertram, co-president of the global independent’s recently combined film and TV operations, will now become eOne’s president, film, television and digital, overseeing commercial and distribution operations. John Morayniss, Bertram’s fellow co-president and previously head of eOne Television, is to step down after a transition period.

The company said in a statement that in his newly-created role Gordon “will continue his producer and creator-friendly philosophy…” and “deepen eOne’s network of creative relationships around the world.”

Publicly-traded eOne, formed in Canada but now with operations across North America, Europe, Australia and Asia, bought 51% of Gordon’s company three years ago. The companies formed a joint venture to produce films and TV programming...

Three years after Entertainment One took a 51% stake in Mark Gordon‘s production company for $133 million, partnering with the prolific producer to create an independent studio, eOne has acquired the remaining 49% of The Mark Gordon Co. for $209 million. Gordon will become President and Chief Content Officer, Film, Television and Digital, overseeing all of eOne’s creative units. He reports to eOne CEO Darren Throop. John Morayniss, who led eOne's television business since…...

Entertainment One's latest move to rework its global business has seen a combined film and TV production division emerge, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.

Steve Bertram and John Morayniss will lead the new division as co-presidents, film, television and digital. Morayniss will oversee eOne Television's activities, including development, production, licensing, financing and worldwide distribution of live-action drama and comedy series, reality and documentary series.

He joined eOne in 2008, when the Toronto-based studio acquired his company Blueprint Entertainment. On the film side, Bertram will oversee worldwide operation, including production and distribution units and relationships with key partners like The Mark...

Pop continues to ramp up its original slate with a series order to half-hour comedy Let’s Get Physical. The project, announced as part of Pop’s development slate at its upfront this past spring, recently started casting in anticipation of a series pickup.

Matt Jones, Chris Diamantopoulos and AnnaLynne McCord (90210) have been tapped for three of the four main roles in the series, a modern-day story set in the world of aerobics that takes its comedy cue from the ‘80s. The comedy, from Pop and Entertainment One, is slated to begin production in September in Halifax, Nova Scotia for a 2018 premiere.

Created by Connor Pritchard and Dan and Ben Newmark, Let’s get Physical centers on a slacker named Joe (Jones) who makes a reluctant comeback in the fitness industry after his dad, Colonel Tom Force, a.k.a. “The Godfather of Aerobics,” unexpectedly passes...

Noel Hedges joins from Drg and will be based in London.

Entertainment One (eOne) has announced that Noel Hedges will join the company as executive vice president of acquisitions, eOne television.

In this newly-created role, Hedges will focus on acquiring television product for distribution around the world across genres including drama, film, lifestyle, factual, series and formats.

He will work with eOne’s development and production teams to source premium scripted programming at the earliest stages, and will broaden eOne’s network of international producer partnerships.

He starts on September 4, 2017, will be based in eOne’s London office and will oversee teams in both London and Toronto.

Before joining eOne, Hedges served as executive vice president, content at Drg Ltd, where he oversaw the company’s acquisitions strategy. Before that Hedges held roles at Cineflix Rights, Shine International, ITV Studios Global Entertainment Ltd, and BBC Television.

John Morayniss, CEO, eOne television, said: “We’re...

There’s no question that Rodney King was brutally beaten by Los Angeles Police Department officers – video taken of the savage act proves it. Yet the four men seen clubbing King were acquitted by a Simi Valley jury in 1992, lighting a match for one of the deadliest and costliest civil unrests in U.S. history.

Read More: How Spike Lee, John Singleton and John Ridley Left Their Marks on the 25th Anniversary of the Los Angeles Riots

It’s 25 years later, and Los Angeles – and the Lapd – have changed. But has the rest of the country? Regular reports of police brutality, now well-documented in an age of phone cameras, makes it clear that we haven’t come all that far. Several new documentaries explore the L.A. riots, including the underlying reasons, the actual events, what happened next, and how it relates to today. Among the filmmakers putting their own...

They're watching you, and now you can watch them, too. Ion TV has picked up the Private Eyes TV show from Entertainment One. The Canadian TV series stars Jason Priestly and and Cindy Sampson. Barry Flatman, Jordyn Negri, Clé Bennett, and Ennis Esmer recur. Guest stars include Nicole De Boer, Mimi Kuzyk, Adam Copeland, Doug Gilmour, Daniel Negreanu, and Kardinal Offishal guest star.A private investigation comedy-drama, Private Eyes hails from eOne in association with Corus Entertainment. Showrunners Shawn Piller and Alan McCullough executive produce the Ion TV show with eOne's John Morayniss and Tecca, as well as Lloyd Segan for Piller/Segan, Priestley, James Thorpe and, Tassie Cameron. The series has been renewed through season two in Canada.Read More…...

Ex-Lionsgate, Viacom and UTA executive joins TV wing of distribution outfit.

Former Lionsgate exec Gary Gradinger has been appointed to the role of executive vice-president, global business and legal affairs, at eOne’s television division.

The news was revealed today by CEO of eOne Television John Morayniss.

Gradinger will work out of eOne’s Los Angeles office where he will direct activities for the global television business, which encompasses development, production, acquisition, international co-production and distribution.

Gradinger most recently worked with Lionsgate Television and Lionsgate Digital Studios.

Prior to that, he served as executive vice-president of business and legal affairs for Viacom’s Comedy Central and TV Land, where he oversaw and managed business and legal affairs activities and led negotiations and production legal for series including South Park, The Daily Show, Inside Amy Schumer and Workaholics.

On the studio side, Gradinger ran the business and legal affairs department at Fox 21, including negotiating...

Steve Buscemi, Stanley Tucci and Wren Arthur’s company credits include recent Berlinale premiere Final Portrait.

The entertainment titan will serve as the studio and will control worldwide rights to television projects produced from the new partnership, which expands eOne Television’s roster of creative partnerships with renowned talent.

New York-based Olive produces an eclectic array of TV projects, fiction and documentary features.

Recent Olive Productions projects include Final Portrait (pictured), which Tucci wrote and directed and stars Geoffrey Rush and Armie Hammer.

The slate includes Amber Tamblyn’s directorial debut Paint It Black starring Janet McTeer and Alia Shawkat, which Imagination is set to release in May; Check It, a documentary about an African-American gay street gang directed by Toby Oppenheimer and Dana Flor; Submission, based on the Francine Prose novel; and Blue Angel, written and directed by Richard Levine and starring Tucci, Addison Timlin and Kyra Sedgwick.

Olive is lining up a New York-based feature...

Analysts suggest that eOne’s film business could be offloaded if the deal goes through.

ITV is set to increase its offer to buy the Twilight and Peppa Pig proprietor Entertainment One (eOne) after its initial $1,3bn (£1bn) offer was rejected, according to analysts.

A number of leading M&A experts told Screen’s sister publication Broadcast that they expected the commercial broadcaster to table an improved offer for the Canadian-based, London-listed distributor of films including Spotlight and The Bfg.

Charles Leveque, partner at law firm Harbottle and Lewis said: “I wouldn’t be surprised if they came back with a higher bid. This is only its first bid and in this sort of process they usually start lower and work their way up. The killer question is how far would they be prepared to go?”

eOne, which produces and distributes around 40,000 film and television titles, told the London Stock Exchange that the bid “fundamentally undervalued the company...

The final season of SyFy’s Haven is coming to Blu-ray on April 19th. Also in this round-up: early access details for Free Range Games’ Labyrinth, a clip from You’re Killing Me, a new Model Hunger trailer, and details on Nitehawk Cinema’s St. Patrick’s Day screening of Leprechaun.

Haven: The Final Season: Press Release: “This April, The Town Of Haven Hurtles Towards A Cataclysmic Showdown In The Startling Final Episodes Of Syfy’S Popular Series

Haven: The Final Season

Street Date: April 19, 2016

Blu-ray/DVD Srp: $49.98/$39.98

The Loaded 4-Disc Set Features the Final 13 Broadcast Episodes, and Hours of Bonus Features Including a Mythology Refresher, 13″Inside Haven” Featurettes, Livestream Segments with the Cast & Crew,13 Commentary Tracks, Interviews with Eric Balfour, Lucas Bryant, William Shatner, Adam Copeland and More!

Program Description

For five eye-opening seasons, fans tuned into the hit Syfy series “Haven”, based on Stephen King’s...

ABC has canceled “Rookie Blue” after six seasons, TheWrap has learned. The show follows a group of rookie police officers and the struggles they face while patrolling the city streets. Missy Peregrym, Gregory Smith, Enuka Okuma, Travis Milne, Charlotte Sullivan, Ben Bass and Matt Gordon all starred in the Canadian summer series. lana Frank, Tassie Cameron, Russ Cochrane, David Wellington and John Morayniss serve as executive producers. The show is a production of IFC Films and eOne, which also distributes the series internationally. Also Read: 'Graceland' Canceled by USA After 3 Seasons “The success of ‘Rookie Blue’ is a testament not...

Sunday, September 13, 2015, the Canadian Film Centre (Cfc), founded by award-winning producer/director Norman Jewison as a charitable organization committed to promoting and investing in Canadian creative and entrepreneurial talent in the screen-based industries, hosted along with Cfc Chief Executive Officer Slawko Klymkiw, the 28th Cfc Annual BBQ fundraiser @ Windfields Estate on Bayview Avenue in Toronto:

"...the Cfc Annual BBQ Fundraiser is one of Cfc's biggest fundraising events that supports the development of Canada's creative and entrepreneurial talent in the screen-based entertainment industries. Through donations and generous sponsors all monies raised support Cfc's highly-respected programs in film, television, screen acting, music and digital media..."

Speakers @ the crowded event included Christina Jennings, Chair, Cfc Board of Directors, Honourable Michael Coteau, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport and John Morayniss, Chief Executive Officer, Entertainment One Television, who revealed the Cfc is partnering with Entertainment One on the 'Cfc/Entertainment One TV Adaptation Lab'.

Entertainment One Television has promoted Jeff Lynas from his current position as Svp, Operations & Business Development to Chief Operating Officer. Lynas reports directly to CEO John Morayniss, and continues to be based in Los Angeles. In his expanded role, Lynas takes on oversight of all day-to-day operations for eOne Television on a global basis. He will also continue in his business development capacity, establishing and structuring new business relationships for eOne…...

Changing the fate of others can sometimes prove to be a disastrous decision. Haven Season 5 Volume 1 will arrive on Blu-ray and DVD in September. Also: a gallery of images from Terrordactyl and release details for Redeemer from one of the directors from The ABCs of Death, Ernesto Diaz Espinoza.

Haven Season 5: Press Release: "The Troubles are returning to Haven like never before in Haven: Season Five, Volume One, arriving on extras-loaded Blu-ray and DVD on September 8 from Entertainment One.

Based on the novella "The Colorado Kid" from Stephen King, the hit Syfy series follows former FBI agent Audrey Parker (Emily Rose), who became a cop in the small town of Haven, Maine, and quickly found herself involved in the return of "the Troubles," a series of supernatural afflictions that have plagued the seaside village for generations. Partnered with local residents Nathan Wuornos (Lucas Bryant) and Duke Crocker (Eric Balfour...

We tv has ordered Growing Up Hip Hop, a six-episode docu-series from Entertainment One, for premiere in late 2015. The series follows the children of music legends Damon Dash, Rev. Run, Russell Simmons, Master P, El DeBarge and Pep as they try to build their lives and fortunes in careers ranging from music to acting and fashion. Growing Up Hip Hop is executive produced by John Morayniss and Tara Long for eOne along with Romeo Miller, Angela Simmons, Percy Robert Miller…...

Yesterday, Entertainment One announced that Bitten will return for a third season on Syfy. Also in this round-up: a Kill Bill: Volume 1 episode of Real Fake History and details on the release of Guillermo del Toro's Pacific Rim: Tales from the Drift #1.

Bitten: Press Release: "Leading independent studio, Entertainment One (eOne) is thrilled to announce 10 episodes of the supernatural thriller Bitten will return to Syfy for a third season. Based on the best-selling series of novels by Kelley Armstrong and produced by No Equal Entertainment, eOne, and Hoodwink Entertainment, Season three sees the return of genre icon Laura Vandervoort (Smallville, Ted) as Elena Michaels; Greyston Holt (Alcatraz, Durham County) as Clayton Danvers; Greg Byrk (A History Of Violence, Rookie Blue) as Jeremy Danvers; Steve Lund (Being Erica, Haven) as Nick Sorrentino, and Genelle Williams (Warehouse 13) as Rachel Sutton. Production will begin this summer in Toronto.

Cimorelli has a lot to celebrate this holiday season thanks to production company Entertainment One. The YouTube a cappella singing group, consisting of six sisters from Malibu, California and boasting over 2.9 million subscribers on their main channel, has inked a multi-year deal with eOne to produce original TV, film, and digital content. Under the agreement, Cimorelli and eOne plan to expand the sisters’ successful YouTube presence into traditional and new digital platforms. Several scripted and unscripted projects are already planned, and eOne will be responsible for producing and distributing the content to grow Cimorelli’s reach to new audiences. Jesse Albert of eOne, Lynne Cimorelli, and Tony Novia for the singing group will executive produce all projects under the partnership. “With nearly a billion views and an enormous fanbase around the world, the Cimorelli sisters have created a strong wholesome brand for themselves in the digital youth programming space,” said John Morayniss,...

Entertainment One is diversifying into TV drama production in Australia and New Zealand.

Jude Troy will run the TV development and production shingle, working with Stuart Baxter, president, eOne Television International, and Carrie Stein, executive VP, global production.

Troy tells If she will be sourcing .high-end pedigree projects, great stories with international currency and distinctive voices..

Formerly eOne.s MD- home entertainment, she takes the newly created role of executive VP of TV development and acquisitions, Australia/New Zealand.

She remains in charge of home entertainment acquisitions locally and will continue to play a role in theatrical acquisitions.

Commercial manager of home entertainment Jo Mandatis will expand her duties to include Troy.s home entertainment responsibilities for Australasia.

.Australian TV drama is in its prime right now and there is a real appetite for pedigree scripted drama globally,. said eOne Films Australia MD Troy Lum.

.Jude brings excellent relationships with...

eOne has acquired Canadian producer Force Four Entertainment from partners Rob Bromley, John Ritchie, and Gillian Lowrey.

The deal bolsters eOne’s activity in scripted and unscripted television from Canada and broadens the international sales slate.

Vancouver-based Force Four launched 1983 and has gone on to produce more than 500 hours of television including Border Security: Canada’s Front Line, The Cupcake Girls, Shannon And Sophie, Village On A Diet, Murder She Solved, and the scripted sitcom Seed.

The two companies partnered on Seed, which aired on CityTV in Canada and The CW in the Us. From there they established a first-look arrangement covering scripted and unscripted projects.

“As our business relationship developed, it was clear that Force Four and eOne share very similar tenets and goals, as two Canadian companies committed to great story-telling aimed at worldwide audiences,” said eOne Television president CEO John Morayniss.

“While Force Four will maintain the identity and culture that has allowed them to...

Last week we got word that Canadian TV network Space had committed to a second season of "Bitten," their most-watched original series ever, and Syfy is hot on their heels with an announcement of their own...

From the Press Release:

Syfy has acquired the popular supernatural thriller "Bitten" for a second season consisting of 10 all-new episodes. Production on Season 2 will begin this summer in Toronto, and the series, from leading independent studio Entertainment One (eOne), will return to Syfy in 2015.

Said Chris Regina, Senior Vice President, Programming, Syfy: "'Bitten' is a fast-paced and edgy series which has found a growing and passionate fan base on our channel. We’re delighted to bring the series back to Syfy next year.”

Said Prentiss Fraser, Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales & Acquisitions, eOne Television International: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the tremendous support and enthusiasm from fans across social media since the debut of 'Bitten.

Syfy has acquired the supernatural thriller Bitten for a second season. The series from Entertainment One will premiere in 2015 with 10 new episodes. Based on Kelley Armstrong’s bestselling Women Of The Otherworld novels, Bitten stars Laura Vandervoort (Smallville, Ted) as Elena Michaels, the lone female werewolf in existence. During its first season on Syfy, Bitten averaged 1.1 million total viewers based on Live +7 data,. Bitten is executive produced by J.B. Sugar for No Equal Entertainment, John Barbisan, and Patrick Banister for Hoodwink Entertainment, and Tecca Crosby, John Morayniss, and Margaret O’Brien for Entertainment One.