ITV Studios continues to strengthen its global scripted production base as it increases its stake in Monumental Television from 26% to a 51% majority in the UK production company. The agreement will see the label, founded by Oscar nominated film producers Alison Owen and Debra Hayward, become a more integral part of ITV Studios.

ITV Studios Global Entertainment has held a minority stake in the company since its launch in 2015, and ITVS GE will continue distributing television productions worldwide.

Recent TV productions include three series of Harlots, exclusively commissioned by Hulu since series two and available via Starzplay in the UK, and Ghosts on BBC One. The comedy series, created, written and featuring the team behind Horrible Histories, is the top comedy series on UK television so far this year with a consolidated series average of 3.7m and has already been recommissioned for a second season. Monumental Television is in advanced development on several other major scripted series.

Julian Bellamy, Managing Director ITV Studios, said: “Alison and Debra have proven to be a fantastic fit within the ITV family over the last four years. They’re outstanding creatives with fantastic talent relationships and I can’t wait to work even more closely with them as they start the next phase of Monumental’s growth.”  

Owen and Hayward added: “ITV Studios is at the forefront of all the exciting new developments in the television landscape and we are thrilled to continue our relationship with the incredible team there.

Owen is the producer behind high-end television dramas Case Histories and the Emmy award winning Temple Grandin. She is also producer of numerous award-winning feature films, including the Oscar nominated Saving Mr Banks and Jane Eyre.  Hayward is the producer of the upcoming movie adaptation of the legendary stage musical, CATS and the Golden Globe winning Les Misérables and BAFTA nominated, Mary Queen of Scots.  She was formerly Head of Film at Working Title Films where she was responsible for many of the company’s hit movies. 

Julian and Maxine Gardner, ITV Studios UK Finance Director, join Alison, Debra and Ruth Berry, Managing Director ITVS GE, on the board.

Monumental Television joins a diverse global portfolio of drama producers in ITV Studios including Mammoth Screen, World Productions, Tall Story Pictures, Silverprint Pictures, Patrick Spence, Cattleya, Tetra Media, Apple Tree Productions, Jeff Pope, ITV Studios international labels and Big Talk.

ITV Studios

ITV Studios creates and distributes programming that moves people, grips the nation, starts conversations, entertains millions and shapes culture around the world. Our vision is to be ‘More than TV’, building upon our unique and winning combination of creativity and commercial strength.

It is home to some of the best creative minds, who craft over 8,900 hours of original programming each year. The critically acclaimed, universally adored and award-winning Bodyguard; Queer Eye; I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here; Suburra; The Voice; Hell’s Kitchen; Come Dine with Me; Poldark; Line of Duty; Vera and Love Island are just some of the titles created by our 55 production labels. Our global footprint spans 12 countries including the UK, US, Australia, France, German, The Nordics, Italy and the Netherlands and our global distribution business sells our catalogue of 45,000+ hours to more than 3000 broadcasters and platforms.

ITV Studios is part of ITV PLC, which includes the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster.

ABOUT KAUSER KANJI

Kauser Kanji has been working in online video for 19 years, formerly at Virgin Media, ITN and NBC Universal, and founded VOD Professional in 2011. He has since completed major OTT projects for, amongst others, A+E Networks, the BBC, BBC Studios, Channel 4, DR (Denmark), Liberty Global, Netflix, Sony Pictures, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation and UKTV. He now writes industry analyses, hosts an online debate show, OTT Question Time, as well as its in-person sister event, OTT Question Time Live

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