LOS ANGELES, May 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Global content
leaders BBC Studios in Los Angeles
and Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) today announced that they have
appointed preeminent media executive Dan
McDermott as head of the companies' television partnership.
The venture was formed to identify, co-develop and co-fund scripted
formats and original intellectual property for the U.S. market.
McDermott, a multifaceted executive with an extensive
entertainment industry background in content creation, development
and distribution, has managed a number of creative collaborations
and network organizations. In his newly-created role, he will be
responsible for overseeing the operations of this recent
partnership while shepherding its content initiatives.
"I have always followed my curiosity and ambition - from the
early days at Fox and DreamWorks to my years spent writing and
producing content. Now, I am inspired to lead the partnership of
these two great companies," said McDermott. "BBC Studios is a
treasure trove of great properties and talent, and Lionsgate is a
global content platform with one of the most exciting independent
television businesses in the world. The extraordinary teams of
Mark Linsey and Matt Forde at BBC Studios and Kevin Beggs and Sandra
Stern at Lionsgate are the perfect partners to make this
happen. I can hardly wait to dive in."
"Dan's business acumen and deep roots in the creative community
make him the perfect candidate to lead the charge on this
collaboration with our great partners at BBC Studios," said
Lionsgate Television Chairman Kevin
Beggs. "He is not only an experienced media executive but an
incredibly talented content creator responsible for some of
television's most iconic properties. We're excited to be working
with him and can't wait to see all the amazing content he'll bring
to our programming slate."
"From television to film, from distributing content to writing
his own, Dan has proven that he's a skilled studio executive with a
very creative spirit," said Matt
Forde, Managing Director, International Production &
Formats, BBC Studios. "As we continue to ramp up our scripted
operations with Lionsgate, we're looking forward to having an
astute leader like Dan to guide the team that will fill our content
pipeline with great television series for the U.S. market."
McDermott began his career at the Fox Broadcasting Network where
he served as Executive Vice President of Programming and oversaw
such hit series as In Living Color, The Simpsons, Married
with Children and Beverly
Hills 90210. He then segued into DreamWorks as the first
president of television for the studio where he was an integral
part of the team that structured the co-venture between ABC and
DreamWorks TV, and shepherded iconic shows like Spin City
and Freaks and Geeks.
McDermott also previously partnered with Lorenzo di Bonaventura in launching a television
company where he executive produced series like Zero Hour,
The Real O'Neals and the upcoming Jupiter's Legacy
for Netflix. Other credits include the 2006 remake The Omen,
Lifetime series Angela's Eyes and feature film Eagle
Eye for DreamWorks. McDermott holds a Bachelor of Arts degree
in Film and Television from UCLA.
ABOUT BBC STUDIOS – AMERICAS
BBC Studios, a global content company with British creativity at
its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC. Formed in
April 2018 by the merger of BBC
Worldwide and BBC Studios, it spans content financing, development,
production, sales, branded services, and ancillaries. BBC
Studios' award-winning British programs are internationally
recognized across a broad range of genres and specialties. It
has offices in 22 markets globally, including seven production
bases in the UK and production bases and partnerships in a further
nine countries around the world. The company, which makes over
2,500 hours of content a year, is a champion for British creativity
around the world and a committed partner for the UK's independent
sector.
In the Americas, BBC Studios' operates two production units –
one in Los Angeles, responsible
for ratings juggernaut and
Emmy®-nominated Dancing with the
Stars and multi-award-winning Life Below Zero,
and the other in Brazil,
where local productions Dancing
Brasil and Bake Off Brasil have become
breakout hits. The company manages joint venture relationships with
AMC Networks for flagship channel BBC AMERICA (U.S.) – home of
original series Killing Eve and global
brands Dynasties, Doctor Who, and Top
Gear – and with ITV for SVoD service BritBox
(U.S./Canada), as well as
strategic partnerships in Canada
with Blue Ant Media for BBC Earth Channel and Corus for BBC Canada.
The company also boasts a franchise management business and a
robust linear and digital content sales and co-productions
operation.
ABOUT LIONSGATE
The first major new studio in decades, Lionsgate is a global
content leader whose films, television series, digital products and
linear and over-the-top platforms reach next generation audiences
around the world. In addition to its filmed entertainment
leadership, Lionsgate content drives a growing presence in
interactive and location-based entertainment, video games, esports
and other new entertainment technologies. Lionsgate's content
initiatives are backed by a nearly 17,000-title film and television
library and delivered through a global sales and distribution
infrastructure. The Lionsgate brand is synonymous with
original, daring and ground-breaking content created with special
emphasis on the evolving patterns and diverse composition of the
Company's worldwide consumer base.
BBC Studios
Susana Voets
(310) 341-8643
Susana.voets@bbc.com
Lionsgate
Cristina Castañeda
(310) 255-5114
CCastaneda@lionsgate.com
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SOURCE Lionsgate