BBC Studios, Clerkenwell Films & Anton announce deal to create premium, high volume scripted short-form content

"Clerkenwell and BBC Studios are the best partners, creatively and commercially, as we venture into this new world."

In a keynote speech at the IBC Conference in Amsterdam this morning, Tim Davie, CEO, BBC Studios announced that BBC Studios, Clerkenwell Films and Anton Corp are to develop and fund a slate of high-end, short-form drama and comedy projects to be produced by Clerkenwell and co-financed by BBC Studios and Anton. The deal will see the creation of premium, high volume, short-form content produced for digital and linear platforms, with additional funds set aside to self-commission.

From Misfits to The End of the F***ing World, Clerkenwell Films has a proven track record in working with writers who create innovative series with huge audience appeal and high fan engagement. Alongside BBC Studios’ and Anton’s market knowledge and relationships, this deal will deliver engrossing content in multiple episodes of easy-to-consume durations, across a range of existing and emerging platforms, leading to a new way to engage with audiences.

Tim Davie, CEO, BBC Studios, said: “This is an exciting and significant long term development partnership for premium short-form where we are backing Clerkenwell’s creative excellence in a number of ways, from co-funding of development through to self-commissioning of multiple projects.”

Murray Ferguson, Chief Executive at Clerkenwell Films, said: “This is an ambitious initiative that is set to take advantage of the many new and emerging opportunities for high quality innovative drama and comedy in a rapidly evolving market.  We look forward to working with some of the most exciting creative voices in the industry to produce a range of compelling, long-running series.”

Sebastien Raybaud, CEO at Anton Corp, said: “We are moving into an exciting era where audiences are able to enjoy super premium content in a bite-sized format, opening many new doors for story-tellers and talent. Clerkenwell and BBC Studios are the best partners, creatively and commercially, as we venture into this new world.” 

 

About BBC Studios

BBC Studios, a global content company with British creativity at its heart, is a commercial subsidiary of the BBC Group. Formed in April 2018 by the merger of BBC Worldwide and BBC Studios, it spans content financing, development, production, sales, branded services and ancillaries. BBC Studios’ award-winning British programmes are internationally recognised across a broad range of genres and specialisms. It has offices in 22 markets globally, including six production bases in the UK, and a further seven wholly-owned and production partnerships internationally. The company, which makes 2500 hours of content a year, is a champion for British creativity around the world and a committed partner for the UK’s independent sector. BBC Studios has revenue of £1.4bn, and returns around £200m to the BBC Group annually, complementing the BBC’s licence fee and enhancing programmes for UK audiences.

 

About Clerkenwell Films

Clerkenwell Films is a multi-award-winning film and television production company. Formed in 1998, Clerkenwell Films is firmly established as one of the leading scripted producers in the UK, creating high quality, popular television for both UK and international audiences. Among its credits are award-winning, critically acclaimed shows such as Misfits, Lovesick and The End of the F***ing World.  BBC Studios has a 48% stake in Clerkenwell Films.

About Anton Corp

Anton is a global content business operating across both film and TV. On the film side it has financed hits such as the Paddington franchise and Shaun The Sheep while production and sales titles include the upcoming animation Fireheart, from the successful producers of Ballerina, and Neill Blomkamp’s next feature Greenland, starring Chris Evans. TV titles include the recent BBC success McMafia, and the upcoming adaption of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials starring James McAvoy and Ruth Wilson and directed by Tom Hooper.

The Drama Investment Partnership

BBC Studios and Anton Corp are existing partners in The Drama Investment Partnership: a pool of funding secured for investment in premium British drama titles with international appeal, to increase the pace and flow of ambitious projects by having readily accessible capital in place at the point of commission.