All the latest news from the global content industry on Tuesday, 10 February

 

Cowles named Lifted CEO amid restructure 

ITV Studios-backed Love Island outfit Lifted Entertainment has promoted managing director Richard Cowles to chief executive as part of a raft of senior promotions.

Two new creative directors have been added with BBC entertainment commissioner Chantal Boyle and Ros Coward, both of whom previously freelanced on Lifted’s Netflix reality series Cheat: Unfinished Business.

Other changes see Lifted’s current creative directors Mike Spencer-Hayter and Diego Rincón become directors of unscripted, while director of entertainment and formats Tom Gould is now chief content officer. Head of production Jeanette Moffat becomes director of production, head of development Kat Hebden takes on the role of director of development and new business and head of on-screen talent Micky Van Praagh becomes director of on-screen talent. Read more

 

EW Scripps sells Court TV

The E.W. Scripps Company has struck a deal to sell its Court TV network to Law&Crime, the Jellysmack-backed multiplatform true crime and legal firm led by ABC News alum Dan Abrams.

Scripps relaunched Court TV in May 2019 after acquiring the rights from Turner Broadcasting, since when it has provided access to trials including Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard.

Law&Crime, acquired by Jellysmack in 2023, operates two FAST channels, 25 YouTube channels and is also available via streaming partners. Financial details are not being disclosed.

 

Cold War escalation drama casts Chlumsky

Six-time Emmy Award-nominated Veep and Inventing Anna actor Anna Chlumsky is joining The White Lotus star Leslie Bibb in new six-part Cold War crime series Top of the Rock.

Set in 1983, Top of the Rock is set to shoot in Iceland late this year and is being made by Icelandic production company, Truenorth alongside Mystery Productions, and Vertu. It was created by David Olafsson, who is also directing.

 

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