TIDMSTVG
RNS Number : 0621Z
STV Group PLC
08 January 2020
PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE PRESS RELEASE
8 January 2020
STV Productions acquires stake
in high-end drama producer Two Cities
STV Productions has acquired a minority equity stake in drama
producer Two Cities Television, the company behind critically
acclaimed Patrick Melrose, commissioned by Sky Atlantic and CBS
Showtime and starring Benedict Cumberbatch.
This partnership will further enhance STV's reputation as a
leading producer of drama whilst providing Two Cities with creative
and financial support as the business grows in scale in the UK and
internationally. Both companies are also strongly positioned to
address the growing market for drama production from the Nations
and Regions, with STV Productions based in Scotland and London, and
Two Cities based in Northern Ireland and London. Through the deal
STV will have the opportunity to increase its initial 25% stake to
a majority interest over the next three years.
Founded in 2016, Two Cities is led by Michael Jackson, formerly
Controller of BBC One and BBC Two, CEO of Channel 4, President of
Programming at USA Entertainment and Chairman of Universal
Television, and Creative Director Stephen Wright, formerly Head of
Drama for BBC Northern Ireland where was executive producer of Line
of Duty and The Fall and commissioned Bodyguard.
With a strong development slate, Two Cities is currently
developing a series based on Michael Wolff's Donald Trump epic Fire
and Fury in partnership with Topic Studios and a drama for the BBC
based on David Burke's book, The Spy Who Came In From The Co-Op:
Melita Norwood and the Ending of Cold War Espionage, alongside a
range of other returnable series and high profile international
events.
The track record of STV Productions in-house drama team, led by
Creative Director of Drama, Sarah Brown, has been significantly
enhanced by recent successes including critically acclaimed TV film
Elizabeth is Missing (BBC One), starring Glenda Jackson who made
her return to television after 27 years. Earlier this year,
four-part legal thriller, The Victim, (BBC One), starring Kelly
Macdonald, broke all-time consolidated ratings records. STV
Productions also has an exclusive partnership in place with
celebrated drama producer Elaine Collins (Vera, ITV and Shetland,
BBC One).
BBC Studios, an original investor in Two Cities Television, is
exiting as part of the transaction.
Two Cities Television were advised by Tom Manwaring of Helion
Partners in securing the new partnership with STV Productions.
Simon Pitts, Chief Executive, STV Group plc, said: "This
exciting new partnership builds on STV's growing reputation in high
end drama following recent successes The Victim and Elizabeth is
Missing. Our Two Cities investment will accelerate our growth plan
to create a world class, nations-based production business."
David Mortimer, Managing Director, STV Productions, said: "We're
thrilled to start the New Year in partnership with Two Cities and
excited to be working with two of the best-known executives in
television in Michael and Stephen. Between them they have produced
and commissioned some of the most successful serial dramas of
recent years. In addition to their significant track records of
success, both share our ambition to pursue bold growth plans and
build successful, internationally focused production
businesses.
"Two Cities has an exciting development pipeline and our
respective businesses are uniquely positioned to serve the growing
demand for Nations production in the UK, with potential to extend
this internationally."
Michael Jackson, Executive Chairman, Two Cities Television, and
Stephen Wright, Creative Director, said: "We are delighted to be
joining forces with Simon Pitts, David Mortimer and his team at STV
Productions, a business that feels totally in tune with our own,
and one that can very much help accelerate our growth strategy,
focusing on Nations drama production."
For more information, please contact:
Kirstin Stevenson, STV Productions
T: 07803 970106 E: kirstin.stevenson@stv.tv
About STV Productions
STV Productions is one of the UK's leading content businesses
and is Scotland's biggest indie. Led by award-winning executive
David Mortimer, the company has an impressive track-record of
success across drama, entertainment and factual, with commissions
spanning BBC One and Two, ITV, Channel 4, BBC Scotland, VH1/MTV and
Sky One.
Productions include 20 series of Antiques Road Trip and nine
series of sister programme, Celebrity Antiques Road Trip for BBC;
six series of Catchphrase and four of Celebrity Catchphrasefor ITV;
and Sex Tape, a four-part relationship series for Channel 4.
Four-part legal thriller The Victim for BBC One was watched by more
than 7.2m. Adding to their impressive drama slate, the drama team
has recently delivered critically acclaimed Elizabeth is Missing,
featuring two-time Academy Award winner Glenda Jackson, for BBC
One. Factual commissions include Britain's Polar Bear Cub for
Channel 4, two series of Prison: First & Last 24 Hours for Sky
One, Ross Kemp Behind Bars- Inside Barlinnie for ITV and Fire in
the Night, an award winning feature documentary to mark the 25(th)
anniversary of the Piper Alpha disaster.
STV recently acquired a majority stake in award-winning
unscripted producer Primal Media, with recent productions including
documentaries Home Free for Channel 4 and Jerk for BBC Three.
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