Sony’s drama investment run continues, while Passion Distribution has hired former Banijay International executive Jimmy Humphrey and RTÉ has commissioned its latest Format Farm series.

jordskott

Sony invests in Swedish drama indie

Sony Pictures Television has taken a stake in Jordskott producer Palladium Fiction. The Hollywood studio has acquired a minority stake in the Swedish indie, which was established by producers Henrik Björn, Filip Hammarström and Johan Rudolphie. The company will produce high-end drama for international broadcasters with Sony Pictures Television distributing globally. The firm is currently in development with The Returned and The Last Panthers producer Jimmy Desmarais on a new project. It marks Sony’s latest drama investment following stakes in Fable Pictures, the fledgling drama indie run by former Ruby Films producer Faye Ward and The Last Dragonslayer producer Blueprint Television.

Jimmy Humphrey to head Passion acquisitions

Robot Wars distributor Passion Distribution has hired former Fremantle Media and Banijay International exec Jimmy Humphrey. The Tinopolis-owned firm has appointed Humphrey as head of acquisitions. He will oversee development, acquisitions and the distribution of Passion shows, working with Tinopolis-owned indies and third party producers and will report to Passion chief executive Emmanuelle Namiech. He was most recently vice president of sales and acquisitions at Banijay International and held similar roles at Fremantle Media and Shine International.

RTÉ2 orders Warner Bros-distributed wedding format

Irish public broadcaster RTÉ2 has commissioned a six-part wedding series Then Comes Marriage. It has ordered the factual entertainment format from local indie Independent Pictures after the show originally debuted as part of the broadcaster’s Format Farm initiative. The series, which offers a relationship crash course to couples on the brink of tying the knot, will be distributed globally by Warner Bros International Television Productions.

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