All the latest news from the global content industry on Friday, 4 July

 

Luca Bernabei exits Fremantle’s Lux Vide

Lux Vide chief executive Luca Bernabei is stepping down from his role at the Fremantle-owned production company.

Bernabei’s father, Ettore Bernabei, founded the Italian outfit in 1992 and Fremantle took a 70% stake in the Medici and Devils producer three years ago.

Bernabei’s exit comes as Fremantle extends its stake to 100% ownership in Lux Vide, which has been behind Hotel Costiera for Prime Video and Sandokan for Rai.

Matilde Bernabei, Luca Bernabei’s sister and Lux Vide co-founder, will remain with the company and has been upped to president, while Fremantle Italy’s chief exec Valerio Fiorespino is among those added to the board.

 

Jerry Rodríguez exits Endemol Shine Boomdog

Endemol Shine Boomdog’s head of scripted, Jerry Rodríguez, is stepping down after four years with the company.

Rodríguez, who confirmed the news on social media, worked as producer and showrunner on HBO Max’s Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water For Chocolate). His next move is not yet known.

Rodríguez’s departure comes six months after Banijay Americas launched A Fábrica Mexico & US Hispanic, which combined the operations of Endemol Shine Boomdog and A Fábrica.

The unit is led by Luiz Noronha, chief executive of A Fábrica, while Endemol Shine Boomdog’s scripted team and its projects moved over to the new label.

 

Warner Records exec tipped for C4’s top job

Channel 4 is understood to be casting its net wide in its hunt for a new chief executive, with non-executive director and music exec Alex Burford thought to be keen on the position.

Burford joined C4’s board in February 2024, with his term as a non-exec director running until February 2027.

Two well-placed sources told Broadcast Burford is looking to throw his hat into the ring to replace Alex Mahon. Read more

 

Nat Geo lines up Trafficked S5

National Geographic’s investigative series Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller is returning to screens from 19 July with a fifth season.

The show, which secured four News and Documentary Emmys wins last week, is produced by US-based Muck Media, with Van Zeller, Darren Foster, Jeff Plunkett and Jeff Allen exec producing.

The series will explore topics including the growing influence of Mexican cartels in the US, the explosion of romance and investment scams, and the mysterious next wave of America’s opioid crisis. 

 

HaZimation rebrands as Atelier 11

UK-based production firm HaZimation has been renamed as Atelier 11, with Paula Crickard taking sole charge following the exit of co-founder HaZ Dulull.

Crickard (Expend4bles, Fantastic Beasts) said Atelier 11 would focus on storytelling across film, animation, gaming and TV series, with a focus on content that can run across multiple platforms.

Atelier 11’s slate spans original IPs like Rap Game UK (in collaboration with Fremantle and the BBC), Moontopia, and Prisoners of Paradise, a co-production with AMG International.

Atelier 11 also collaborated on La Bohème and developed Galaxy Dance, a hybrid live action / animation for BBC Three.