Fremantle UK has announced the merger of labels Thames and Talkback into one single entertainment super-label, known as TalkbackThames. The merger follows the news of the departure of Talkback Managing Director, Jonno Richards who has made the decision to step down from the role after five years as MD, and nine with the company. The new label will be headed up by current Thames Managing Director, Charlie Irwin.
Thames (launched in 1968) and Talkback (launched in 2000) were first merged in February 2003, and operated as TalkbackThames. Both companies continued using their respective logos with the TalkbackThames logo added until 2006, when the company unveiled a new production logo combining both names. In January 2012, the company was split into four separate brands under FremantleMedia UK: Thames (entertainment shows), Talkback (comedy shows), Retort (scripted comedy; until 2018) and Boundless (factual programming; until 2020). In 2017 former UK CEO (Unscripted) Liam Humphreys announced plans to merge them again, but they continued to operate independently.
The merged label will bring together the best of Thames’s talent formats, reality and gameshows, with Talkback’s comedy entertainment franchises, creating a portfolio that includes “Britain’s Got Talent,” “Too Hot to Handle,” “Blankety Blank,” “Family Fortunes,” “QI,” “Never Mind the Buzzcocks,” “Rob Beckett’s Smart TV,” “Battle Camp,” “Bear Hunt” and many more.
Amelia Brown, CEO, Fremantle UK said: “Thames and Talkback have enjoyed a strong partnership for over twenty years and when combined, they have been instrumental in launching some of the UK’s most iconic shows including ‘Pop Idol,’ ‘The X Factor,’ ‘Take Me Out,’ ‘Buzzcocks,’ ‘QI,’ ‘Hole in the Wall’ and many more. Now, as the global unscripted landscape continues to expand, there is no better time to reunite their expertise into a single super-label to harness their combined strength and creativity once again and to form a unified structure and identity recognised internationally across the industry. With Charlie’s extensive experience and with one of the best teams in the business, this merger will not only create a stronger, more cohesive unit for buyers, but will also solidify Fremantle UK’s industry-leading portfolio of world class labels and strengthen our position as best-in-class in both entertainment and comedy entertainment formats.”
Charlie Irwin, Managing Director of TalkbackThames added: “I’m thrilled to be given this opportunity to lead the new unified label, building on the legacy and success of both Thames and Talkback in creating beloved entertainment, reality and comedy formats.”
Charlie Irwin first started working with Fremantle UK over 20 years ago on the first series of “The X Factor.” He was appointed Director of Programmes for Thames in 2019 and Managing Director, Thames in 2023. His career has seen him producing and executive producing huge entertainment hits including “I’m a Celeb…,” “Saturday Night Takeaway,” “The X Factor” and “Britain’s Got Talent.”
In his senior positions at the label, he has overseen all of the label’s output including “Britain’s Got Talent,” “MAMMA MIA: I Have a Dream,” the revival of “Blankety Blank” and “Family Fortunes” as well as Thames’ expansion into reality television such as “Too Hot to Handle,” “The Big Celebrity Detox,” and upcoming Netflix format, “Battle Camp.”
Related News
