FremantleMedia in first look deal with Josephson Entertainment

MUMBAI: Twelevision format creator and distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has further expanded its drama development portfolio with the announcement of a new first-look deal with Hollywood film and TV producer Barry Josephson?s production company, Josephson Entertainment.

As part of the deal, Josephson Entertainment has hired a new VP for Television, Tia Maggini, who will work alongside FME senior VP of global content Jeff Tahler and FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) senior VP of scripted programming Tony Optican to develop new drama projects for the US cable and global TV market. A number of projects are already underway, including thriller ?The Dover Agenda?, for which a pilot script is currently being developed for Syfy in the US.

Josephson is a film and television producer, who has established mainstream success through numerous motion pictures, television series and specials across a variety of genres. Josephson?s film credits include ?Enchanted?, ?Life As We Know It? and ?Hide and Seek?. He is also at the helm of the television drama ?Bones?, which is entering its eighth season on Fox. In addition Josephson currently has projects in development at TNT and AMC.

Fremantleedia Enterprises Global CEO David Ellender said, ?US cable drama is now the most consistently compelling content anywhere on television. Having identified the opportunities that exist on these networks, FME is partnering with the industry?s most prominent talent in order to help create high quality dramas that not only work for US audiences but which also have worldwide appeal. With several exciting projects already in the pipeline, our deal with Josephson is off to a flying start.?

Josephson said, ?I am very excited to work with Tony Optican, Jeff Tahler and their entire team at FremantleMedia. They have been very aggressive about securing rights for new material and strengthening our network relationships.?

Maggini joins from Disney Channel Original Movies where she was responsible for acquiring new projects for the channel, working directly with writers to develop original ideas. Prior to this she held the role of Senior Executive at Marc Platt Productions for five years.

Since the launch of the company?s global drama initiative three years? ago, FME has signed first look deals with producers. These have resulted in a number of series commissions from broadcasters across the world, with recent examples including ?Wedding Band?, produced by FMNA for TBS in the US, and ?Hit And Miss? for Sky Atlantic in the UK, created by Paul Abbott?s production and development company AbbottVision.