Fremantle partners with Eureka and promotes Greg Woods as CEO in Australia

Fremantle Group has chosen a new structure in Australia, intended to strengthen the development and production of all entertainment, reality, and game show formats under the producer, Eureka Productions. The company has also appointed Greg Woods to take on a permanent CEO role. 

The new structure follows Fremantle’s increased shareholding in Eureka last year and will see the label take on production of all Fremantle’s entertainment catalog, including “Australia’s Got Talent,” “Australian Idol” and “Farmer Wants A Wife.” Led by Co-CEOs Chris Culvenor and Paul Franklin, Eureka Productions was founded in 2016. Based in Los Angeles and Sydney, the company has since become one of the world’s fastest growing production companies, with a portfolio of over 40 series for network, streaming, cable, and digital platforms in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. In 2021, Fremantle increased their investment in Eureka by acquiring a majority stake in the company.

In the U.S., Eureka’s credits include ABC’s breakout returning show "Holey Moley" and a catalog of other popular series such as "Full Bloom" for HBOMax, "TwentySomethings Austin" for Netflix, "Name That Tune" for Fox, "Frogger" for Peacock, "The Real Dirty Dancing" for FOX, "Crikey It’s the Irwins" for Discovery and a line-up of soon-to-be announced new series. In Australia, Eureka’s slate includes "Luxe Listings" for Amazon, "Amazing Race Australia" for TEN, "Parental Guidance for Nine," "Farmer Wants a Wife for Seven," a co-production with Fremantle, among many others.

Before launching Eureka, Chris and Paul worked together for more than ten years on major franchises including "MasterChef," "MasterChef Junior," "The Biggest Loser," "The Voice," and "The Apprentice," in addition to having produced together at Fremantle Australia. “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Eureka representing and producing Fremantle’s amazing unscripted catalogue, which includes some of biggest entertainment, reality, and game shows in the world," Chris Culvenor and Paul Franklin, Co-CEO’s of Eureka Productions, said. "All at Eureka are truly excited to be bringing these formats to life in Australia."

Under his new role, Woods is scheduled to lead the other side of the Australian business, which will focus on the development and production of drama, documentaries, and factual-skewing programs. Under Woods’ leadership, Fremantle Australia will continue production of factual-skewing formats "Grand Designs" and "Restoration Australia" whilst continuing to build its documentaries business and place a greater emphasis on global drama production in Australia where it is firing up its premium scripted series with a host of shows set to deliver in 2022 including; "Barons," a thrilling 8 part drama series and Significant Others a 6 part psychological drama both programs commissioned by ABC, with major production investment from Screen Australia and financed with support from Screen NSW. Further, production is under way for two local Netflix commissions, "Heartbreak High" a reboot of beloved ’90s teen drama and Wellmania a comedy drama, executive produced and starring actor and comedian Celeste Barber. “Greg has been a key part of the Fremantle Australia leadership team for thirteen years, this is a natural progression at an exciting time for the business,” Jennifer Mullin, Group CEO, Fremantle, said. “ I have known and worked with Chris and Paul for many years and have no doubt that our entertainment catalog in Australia will continue to thrive in their hands.”