BBC Studios invested in Sarah Tyekiff’s Mettlemouse Entertainment

BBC Studios is investing in Mettlemouse Entertainment, the new unscripted formats indie set up by Sarah Tyekiff, taking a minority stake of 25%. The investment continues BBC Studios’ strategy of backing the best creative talent and investing in new formats for its global production network, the company said. Under the terms of the agreement, BBC Studios will have a first look on global distribution and format rights.

Most recently Head of Unscripted at Lime Pictures, Tyekiff ran the UK and US slate, pitching to buyers globally. As well as maintaining and refreshing long-running brands including “Towie,” “Geordie Shore” and “Celebs Go Dating,” she developed and produced a number of new formats including “Dance Monsters” (Netflix), “Stand Up and Deliver” (Channel 4) and “Who Do You Believe” (ABC).

Prior to Lime Pictures, Tyekiff was an Executive Producer at ITV, working across big brands including “Hell’s Kitchen” and the re-launch of “Saturday Night Take Away.”  She also grew the “I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” brand, with her last season hitting 13 million viewers. Notably, she was the driver behind “Love Island,” developing, casting and producing the first three seasons, winning a BAFTA and bringing the show into the mainstream. She also developed “Red or Black,” Simon Cowell’s £1 million gameshow, co-producing with Ant and Dec.

Shaun Parry, previously Youngest Media Chief Creative Officer and with stints at Electric Ray and Endemol Shine, joins Mettlemouse Entertainment as Creative Director. His credits include BAFTA nominated “Moneybags” (Channel 4), “Million Pound Menu” (BBC Two) and reality show “Bromans” (ITV2). At Endemol Shine, he co-created BBC One’s award-winning hit quiz show “Pointless” and ITV2’s “Almost Impossible Gameshow.”

“Sarah has been behind some of the UK’s most successful entertainment and primetime reality formats. She is building a formidable team around her, and we are delighted to be partnering with Mettlemouse Entertainment to bring their exciting, creative ideas to UK and global audiences,”  said Emma Hardie, Commercial Director, International Production and Formats at BBC Studios.

Matt Forde, Managing Director, International Production and Formats at BBC Studios, added: “We look forward to partnering with Sarah, who has proven success in the United States as well as the UK, and we could not be happier to be working with Shaun again. Their creative direction and ambition strongly aligns with BBC Studios in creating the next generation of Unscripted formats.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with BBC Studios. With their track record of managing international hits, they are the perfect fit to supercharge our new adventure both here in the UK and globally,”  Sarah Tyekiff concluded.