Departure of senior exec comes as producer-distributor adapts strategy
Cineflix Rights head of scripted James Durie has left the company as it adapts its strategy “in response to shifting global demand”, Broadcast International has learned.
Durie was brought in to oversee all scripted operations at the Cineflix Media-backed distribution division in March 2020, as it increased its investment across drama production and distribution.
In his five years, he was responsible for leading the distributor’s global strategy for sales, pre-sales, acquisitions, and co-productions of scripted content, and was based out of London, reporting into Cineflix Media president Peter Emerson.
Durie had been a key player in expanding Cineflix’s scripted output, working on high-profile shows including Last King of the Cross for Paramount+ and Sky, BBC/RTE series The Walsh Sisters, and recent launch Sunny Nights for Stan.
He was also behind Icelandic addition Hildur, Men Up and Virdee for the BBC, and three seasons of Whitstable Pearl for Acorn TV, as well as The Doll Factory for Paramount+.
Durie was previously Miramax’s vice-president of sales for EMEA, working across the company’s TV, feature film, and library businesses, and also had stints at Pitch International and IMG Media.
Cineflix Rights has been behind shows ranging from ITV hit Marcella and Coroner to Wynonna Earp and Leonard Cohen limited series So Long, Marianne, the latter of which Durie pieced together financing for with partners including NRK, Crave, ITV and ARD.
The company, like many distributors, has been adapting to market conditions over the past 18 months as US streamers that previously supported scripted co-productions have pulled back.
Durie’s next move is not yet known but Cineflix confirmed the exec had left the company to pursue new opportunities.
In a statement to Broadcast International, Cineflix Media added: “Following five successful years helping to build and shape the company’s scripted slate, Cineflix is adapting its strategy in response to shifting global demand.
“James will continue to work with high-end scripted producers and financiers in the wider market.”
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