MIPCOM 2023: Hat Trick International extends its third party representation deals

Hat Trick International (HTI) announced two brand-new representation deals with STV and Frank Films plus a clutch of renewals for well-established relationships with Keo Films and Summer Films alongside new programme launches from HT group companies Plum Pictures and Emporium for MIPCOM. The new agreements come in line with one of HTI’s most successful years ever with the distributor now counting 35 producers as partners with over 3000 hours in its catalogue.

The deal with Summer Films sees a renewal of an original first look agreement that saw previous acquisition successes such as "Drag SOS", "The Countess & The Russian Billionaire" and "Car Crash: Who's Lying?" perform well with international audiences. Under the terms of the deal, new shows launching at Mipcom include the three-part Zara McDermott fronted crime docs "Gaia: A Death On Dancing Ledge" and "Zara McDermott: Inside Ibiza" (w/t) (4x60). Both series are produced for BBC Three.

Glasgow and London based STV Studios has awarded global rights to HTI for the first time for one of its recent productions, "Paul Martin’s Antiques Showdown" which has had a two series commission for Channel 5 in the UK (80x60). Another new relationship brings Frank Films’ hard-hitting and important documentary produced for Channel 4, "A Paedophile In My Family: Surviving Dad" (1x60) to the global marketplace.

Two of the UK’s most prolific factual producers, Keo Films, a Passion Pictures company and Plum Pictures have renewed agreements, both of whom HTI has represented for more than a decade. Keo Film’s output deal renews rights to its extensive back catalogue including "Exodus: Our Journey To Europe", the River Cottage franchise, "Hugh's War On Waste" and new campaign series "Climate Change: The Solutions" which will feature as part of Channel 4’s anticipated Climate Change season.

Plum Pictures meanwhile continues its successful relationship with George Clarke with the 12th series of "Amazing Spaces" and HTI will be launching the new series "George Clarke’s Amazing Adventures in Americana" (4x60) at MIPCOM, along with new series "Crazy Rich Agents" for BBC2 and "Bangers: Cars of the Future with Tinie Tempah" for Channel 4.

Finally, HTI’s ongoing first look with Emporium Productions adds the highly rated "Court Martial – Soldiers Behind Bars" (3x60) for Channel 5, a compelling look at life at the UK’s only Military Corrective Training Centre with soldiers who’ve broken the law.

Hana Zidek, HTI’s senior sales and acquisitions executive said: "This flurry of new business against a backdrop of renewals from trusted partners proves our absolute commitment to long term relationships and finding every possible opportunity to find global platforms for returning shows and stand out docs. We all understand that times are not easy for producers and survival is key and to remain sustainable, it more than pays to play the long game."