Friday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

Keshet Int’l returns to English-language

Keshet International (KI) has picked up global sales rights to an English-language drama for the first time in almost five years, after striking a deal for Clapperboard thriller Number One Fan.

The 4 x 60-minute series starring Jill Halfpenny and Sally Lindsay will debut on Paramount-owned 5 in the UK later this year.

The series explores fame, obsession and the hidden dangers that can lurk behind admiration, with Halfpenny starring as a TV presenter saved from an attack by a stranger (Lindsay) who claims to be her ‘number one fan’.

Paul Wilmshurst (The Day of the Jackal) directs the show, which has recently wrapped filming in Spain. The show will lead KI’s London TV Screenings slate, with a premiere planned.

Redseven names development chief

Germany’s Redseven Entertainment has appointed Bettina Josmann as its head of development.

Josmann has been in the role at the Seven.One Studios subsidiary since the start of the year and reports directly to Redseven chief exec Jobst Benthues.

She has been part of Redseven’s development department since August 2024, most recently serving as executive producer development, with a primary focus on factual formats. Prior to that, she had stints at Germany’s South&Browse, Caligari Entertainment and G.A.T. Film.

Sony reorganises in India

Sony Pictures Networks India has restructured its operations to give more autonomy to individual teams while encouraging collaboration between its TV channels and SonyLIV streamer operations.

Nachiket Pantvaidya will run Sony Entertainment Television, Sony Marathi and film production; Ajay Bhalwankar oversees Sony SAB, free-to-air channels and factual shows; Rajaraman Sundaram oversees Southern India expansion; and Ambesh Tiwari leads on kids programming.

A digital boss is also being recruted, who will take on the remit of the departing SonyLIV chief Danish Khan, who also had responsibility for production arm Studio NXT.

SPNI’s operations span almost 30 channels that reach more than 700 million across India. It content is also sold into 150 countries.

Channel 4 cruises with Crackit again

UK-based Crackit TV is making a second cruising series for Channel 4, this time boarding three different vessels.

After delivering Supercruising: Life at Sea for the broadcaster last year, the indie has secured an 8 x 60-minute commission for Cruising to the Ends of the Earth.

The series steps aboard a trio of Princess Cruise ships to venture to the frozen peaks of Alaska, the dazzling coastlines of South Korea and Japan and through ancient history via the Mediterranean. Read more