Highly regarded Nina Etspüler drafted in to run comedy and reality label out of Munich
BBC Studios is rolling out a new comedy and reality label in Germany, and has hired Leonine Studios entertainment chief Nina Etspüler to run it.
The as-yet unnamed label will operate under BBC Studios Germany and will be based out of Munich, with Etspüler joining at the start of 2026.
She takes up the role of producer / executive producer and will work closely with Phil Schmid’s BBC Studios Germany team in Cologne to establish and grow the new label.
The initial focus will be on adapting BBC formats for the German market and developing original IP for broadcasters and streamers, while also forging new relationships with creative talent and on-air personalities.
BBCS Germany has to date focused on scripted and entertainment programming, but said the new launch is part of a reponse “to the rising demand for comedy and reality content” in the German market.
Etspüler joined Leonine in 2021 and oversaw an increase across genres at the German firm, expanding the output of unscripted label Madame Zheng Production (fka Odeon Entertainment) and producing comedies such as The Teddy Teclebrhan Show and Sträter’s Problem Zones through I&U TV.
She was previously group creative director at then Red Arrow Studios and also worked at its parent company ProSiebenSat.1, as well as Florida TV.
Etspüler’s exit from Leonine comes 18 month after the company was combined with Mediawan, with both companies backed by US-based private equity firm KKR. The merged entity recently reorganised its distribution teams, as revealed by Broadcast International.
Phil Schmid, managing director for BBCS Germany, said: “Nina Etspüler is one of the most respected and creative leaders in our industry. She brings exceptional experience in development, production, and format adaptation, as well as an outstanding network spanning broadcasters, streaming services, artists, and creatives.
“This is a perfect strategic fit for our ambitions in Germany and an equally strong match on a personal level. With Nina joining in January 2026, alongside our fantastic entertainment team led by Markus Templin and our growing fiction division under Eva Holtmann, we look forward with confidence and excitement to the next chapter of BBC Studios Germany’s growth.”
Etspüler added: “I’m looking forward to a role with a more international focus at BBC Studios Germany. Together, we aim to develop and adapt innovative comedy and reality formats for the German market and continue the success story of BBC Studios in Germany.”
BBCS had previously been a partner at Tower Productions in Germany, working with All3Media at the joint-venture production firm until 2020.
All3 subsequently retained sole control of the German prodco, which retained rights to make Das Große Backen, ProSiebenSat.1’s version of BBCS format Bake Off as part of a multi-year co-production arrangement.
All3Media then closed Tower late last year, restructuring the firm - which had also produced a local version of The Traitors - under its All3Media Germany operation.
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