Friday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

Ici Tou.TV Extra buys Netflix ice skating drama

Radio-Canada’s French-language streamer Ici Tou.TV Extra has picked up rights to Netflix’s upcoming drama Finding Her Edge, which debuts 22 January.

The Jeff Norton-created series, which is based on Jennifer Iacopelli’s novel of the same name, will also air on sibling channel Ici Tele at a later date.

Canada’s Family Channel had initially ordered the show in association with Netflix last year, but the WildBrain-owned network was subsequently closed. Netflix has now added Canadian rights in addition to its global agreement.

Finding Her Edge is produced by WildBrain and follows three sisters who are heirs to a struggling figure skating dynasty. Read moire about its route to screen here.

Sky alum joins Netflix

Liz Lewin, the former Sky drama commissioner and Derry Girls exec producer, is to become Netflix UK’s first dedicated comedy lead, Broadcast can reveal.

Lewin, who is also exec-ing Hat Trick’s forthcoming Netflix series How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the streamer’s UK comedy slate.

She will take up the role at the end of this month and will work closely with vice president of content for the UK Anne Mensah to develop and deliver “globally acclaimed shows with a strong local core”.

Lewin departed from Sky in 2022, having presided over series including I Hate Suzie and The Lovers. She is also a former Channel 4 comedy commissioner where she looked after shows including Ackley Bridge and The End of the F***ing World. Read more

450 buyers set for MIP London

MIP London organisers have said 450 buyers are now confirmed for its February event, including execs from Amazon MGM Studios, Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount and Disney.

The IET London and Savoy Hotel-based event, which will now run across just three days from 22 to 24 February during London TV Screenings week, has also unveiled its documentary and factual strand line-up. Sessions include a showcase of Chris Packham’s environmental feature Greenwashed, a co-production summit and an exploration of new funding models.

The round-table co-pro summit will be expanded with hosts including SVT’s Mikael Osterby, Quintus Studios’ Gerrit Kemming, Deep Fusion Films’ Benjamin Field and Zinc Media’s Tanya Shaw.

Sky alum joins Netflix

Liz Lewin, the former Sky drama commissioner and Derry Girls exec producer, is to become Netflix UK’s first dedicated comedy lead, Broadcast can reveal.

Lewin, who is also exec-ing Hat Trick’s forthcoming Netflix series How to Get to Heaven from Belfast, will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the streamer’s UK comedy slate.

She will take up the role at the end of this month and will work closely with vice president of content for the UK Anne Mensah to develop and deliver “globally acclaimed shows with a strong local core”.

Lewin departed from Sky in 2022, having presided over series including I Hate Suzie and The Lovers. She is also a former Channel 4 comedy commissioner where she looked after shows including Ackley Bridge and The End of the F***ing World. Read more