STV Group has confirmed David Mortimer as CEO of the company’s production arm, STV Studios. Mortimer has been Managing Director of the production group since November 2018. He is responsible for creating and producing hit shows like "Dragons’ Den" and "Louis Theroux’s Weird Weekends". Prior to joining STV, he headed up scripted and unscripted strategy at Tinopolis. Before this, he ran NBC Universal’s International Unscripted Group and had a 15-year career at the BBC both as a network commissioner and producer.
Alongside Group CEO, Simon Pitts, Mortimer has led the charge to grow STV Studios from an in-house production business to a super indie group with early investments including deals with drama specialists Two Cities and factual entertainment indie Primal Media. Mortimer has also overseen the growth of STV Studios’ in-house operation, home of titles including "Screw", "Bridge of Lies" and "The Yorkshire Auction House", and renewed the exclusive development/production relationship with Tod Productions, producer of AppleTV+ drama, "Criminal Record". Last year saw the acquisition of Greenbird Media, which increased the number of production labels in the STV family from 8 to 20, and the number of returning series in its mixed-genre portfolio from 12 to 34. In 2023, STV Studios reported a trebling of revenues and adjusted operating profit.
Nine new commissions and recommissions have been confirmed in the past two months including a second series of "Criminal Record" for Apple TV+; further series of quiz show, "Bridge of Lies" and its celebrity version; and new format, "The Game of Wool", made by Hello Halo for Channel 4. Earlier this year, STV increased its stake in Northern Irish production company, "Two Cities", who have been commissioned for a 3rd and 4th series of hit show, "Blue Lights" and are currently in production with an original drama, "Amadeus", for Sky. STV Studios Drama is also making its first series for Netflix, "The Witness".
David Mortimer expressed his gratitude: “STV Studios has been transformed in the last 6 years and I’m very excited by the mix of projects we have in production and development right now. Our progress is testament to the brilliant team I’m lucky enough to work with and the fantastic band of freelancers who’ve worked on our shows over the last few years. We’ve got the opportunity to continue to grow the business and make some great television over the next few years, so I’m grateful for this vote of confidence from Simon and the Board," commented.
Finally, Simon Pitts, CEO of STV Group plc, praised the exec: “This is an exciting promotion for David at what is a hugely important time for STV Studios. Our production division goes from strength to strength, despite the challenging commissioning environment, and we’re delighted that David will be driving its continued growth and success both domestically and internationally," noted.