Thursday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

WBITVP’s 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing lands first remake

Canadian broadcaster TVA has become the first to remake Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP)’s cooking format 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing.

A 12-episode series will air on Quebecor Content-owned TVA in spring, produced by Pixcom. The format sees 24 chefs facing 24 challenges across 24 hours, with chefs eliminated throughout the day untilonly one remains. 

The format was created by Lando Entertainment for Food Network in the US and debuted in 2024, with a second season airing in May. A third season is confirmed for 2026. The deal was brokered by Harry Gamsu, WBITVP’s US-based VP of development.

Fremantle hires Zodiak alum for AI prodco

Former Zodiak Media exec James Duffen has been named chief executive officer of Fremantle’s fledgling AI production brand Imaginae Studios.

Duffen will step into the role from 20 October, leading the “AI native studio” which has been launched to leverage the best tech and tools for the creative community. He will oversee the strategy, culture and operating model of the business , as well as fostering relationships with the best talent.

He will report to Andrea Scrosati, group chief operating officer and chief executive of continental Europe.

Duffen joins from Aurelius Advisers, where he served as managing director, artificial intelligence and machine earning. In that role he advised early-stage AI companies in the UK, USA, and EMEA on their sale to global technology groups. Read more

C4, UKTV strike streaming pact

Channel 4’s streaming service in the UK is to host UKTV’s U VoD service after the two broadcasters struck a landmark deal.

The multi-year carriage agreement represents the first time C4 has carried a third-party’s full service on its platform.

The rationale is to scale C4 streaming by expanding the choice of programming available to viewers, while enabling UKTV to reach C4’s youth-skewing audience while still serving its own audience on U.

From January 2026, U’s catch-up and boxsets will be made available on C4 streaming, and U will remain a standalone service available on all major connected platforms. Shows available include U&Original titles Outrageous, Bergerac, Bangers & Cash and Pete Wicks: For Dog’s Sake, as well as BBC classics The Office, Red Dwarf, and QI. Read more

Fox eyes novel IP with HarperCollins deal

Fox Entertainment Studios (FES) has struck a development pact with HarperCollins Productions that will see the companies working together on content.

The deal, struck with the HarperCollins Avon A imprint, will see the two companies creating a flow of IP between book and screen, with FES able to develop original series, feature films, and made-for-platform movies inspired by Avon A titles.

Avon A, meanwhile, gains the opportunity to publish adaptations based on FES originals from its portfolio of cross-platform stories.

“From YA to horror, Avon A has built an impressive library of genre-spanning, trend-driven stories that are begging for adaptation. Our ability to mine this rich, ever-growing collection opens a world of storytelling possibilities with of the moment immediacy for viewers and readers alike,” said Hannah Pillemer, head of scripted at FES.

The King to front Prime Video’s environmental doc

UK prodco Passion Planet is to tie with The King’s Foundation for a Prime Video feature documentary in which King Charles III shares his views on the environment.

Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision (w/t) will be based on his 2010 book Harmony: A New Way of Looking at Our World, which centres around the idea that people should work with, rather than against, nature.

The doc will launch in over 240 countries and territories worldwide in early 2026. Exec producers are Tom Hugh-Jones, Nick Southgate and Andrew Ruhemann and producers are Alice Henley (lead producer), Gaby Bastyra and David Allen. Director is Nicolas Brown (The Serengeti Rules). Read more

Dexter: Resurrection returns to Paramount+

Paramount+ has extendedShowtime series Dexter: Resurrection into a second season.

A writers’ room for the show has opened and showrunner and executive producer Clyde Phillips is again attached.

The series stars Michael C. Hall in the titular role, with the show produced by Paramount Television Studios and Counterpart Studios.

ITVX Premium launches on Prime Video

ITVX Premium has become available as an add-on subscription service on Prime Video in the UK for £5.99 a month.

The ad-free service provides access to ITVX shows and joins numerous other SVoD’s available via the Amazon service, including Apple TV+, MGM+ and Paramount+. 

Alan Cumming to front Wow docuseries 

Streaming service WOW Presents Plus has ordered a six-part docuseries that goes behind the scenes of Alan Cumming’s New York-based gay bar.

Club Cumming is produced by WOW, which is behind the Drag Race franchise, and is set to air in 2026. It will feature a fully queer cast of characters including a cabaret singer, drag queen and comedian and looks to spotlight queer voices, stories and talent.

It is executive produced by WOW co-founders Randy Barbato and Fenton Bailey, alongside Tom Campbell, Jeremy Simmons and Cumming.