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MUMBAI: Television format owner and distributor FremantleMedia
Enterprises (FME) has signed a first-look output deal with
a new London independent production company, Rough Cut Television.
It was started by comedy producer Ash Atalla The Office.
The deal grants FME all television, DVD and new media rights
worldwide, and is the latest in a string of first-look and
development deals FME has clinched with top producers, further
bolstering its rapidly expanding portfolio of top quality
drama and comedy.
FME CEO David Ellender says, “Ash is a comedy talent
beyond compare with whom we have already enjoyed a terrific
working relationship and we are thrilled to welcome him to
the FME family. We’re confident that his prolific talent
will lead to the development of yet more brilliant shows to
shape the genre, and we very much look forward to representing
them across multiple media platforms around the world. Comedy
is a key genre for us and this deal with Ash is sure to cement
further our position as the place to come for the hottest
talent and the funniest comedy.”
Atalla says, “I can’t wait to get going on making
a new generation of comedies. I feel really happy to be a part
of the FremantleMedia family and I look forward to working with
them to deliver killer shows for them to go forth and multiply
the world over.”
Atalla’s produced the sitcom The Office. The
programme is now enjoying success as a format, with NBC’s
US version. Atalla was also at the helm of the comedy properties
The IT Crowd and Man Stroke Woman, which are
both distributed internationally by FME.
The IT Crowd has been sold by FME into 16 countries
worldwide, and a second series is due soon.
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