Mipcom 2023: ITV Studios unveils new strategies across different business models

On the first day of Mipcom Cannes, ITV Studios hosted a Press Breakfast, where the company took the opportunity to make important announcements, such as new international sales, the launch of new global FAST channels, and even the set-up of a new production company which is going to be part of ITV Studios’ portfolio

●  NEW PRODUCTION COMPANY
First of all, it was announced that Cattleya, part of ITV Studios, and the writers Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli are to co-found a new production company. Dedalus, as it is to be called, will be aimed at developing and producing films and television series by building on the creative approach that has distinguished the collaboration between Cattleya and Fasoli – Ravagli to date, and by foregrounding the role of research and innovation alongside that of the writers’ full engagement throughout the creative process.

Dedalus is already working on two very ambitious projects: “Everything We Ever Wanted,” a theatrical feature about a story of love and friendship amidst a mid-seventies Neapolitan mob; and “Erba,” a television series based on one of Italy’s most disturbing crime stories, which will look carefully at the context in which the murders that horrified the nation in December 2006, and their aftermath, took place.

●  NEW FAST CHANNEL LAUNCHES
ITV Studios also announced new FAST channels across the globe as it continues to evolve its distribution strategy, building a suite of owned and operated channel propositions across the FAST and social space and creating new homes for its scripted and non-scripted content.

Amongst the soon to be launched FAST channels are a single IP offering based around the quiz show “Eggheads” (Samsung and Pluto UK) and “The Hotel Inspector” channel in Australia with Samsung TV Plus. These will be closely followed by True Lives by ITV Studios, featuring inspiring human stories, true crime and award winning documentaries, which will initially launch in the UK on Samsung, Pluto, LG and Rakuten.

Other channels include content from brands such as “Schitt’s Creek,” “World of Love Island,” “Come Dine With Me,” “Hell’s Kitchen USA,” “River Monsters,” and “Un Village Francais.” Finally, two existing channels will re-brand: Storylands has become World Drama by ITV Studios, while ITV Choice on Samsung TV Plus in Australia will now be known as Entertain by ITV Studios.

●  COMMISSIONS
ITV1 and ITVX confirmed the critically-acclaimed romance show “My Mum, Your Dad” will return to screens in 2024, with casting now open to applicants. Produced by Lifted Entertainment, part of ITV Studios, the smash-hit series sees grown-up kids nominate their single parents to head into a luxury country retreat in the hope of finding love later in life.

Meanwhile, it was announced that the multi-award winning ITV Studios format “The Voice” has reached a monumental milestone with a combined number of over 150 adaptations of the popular talent show and its spin-offs airing in countries all over the world.

Moreover, ITV Studios today announced at Mipcom Cannes that the compelling thriller “After The Flood,” written by acclaimed screenwriter Mick Ford, produced by Quay Street Productions and BritBox International for ITV, has pre-sold to FTV in France.

Lastly, during its Press Breakfast at Mipcom Cannes, ITV Studios announced second season commissions for “I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!” in French Canada and “Come Dine With Me Celebrities” in Mexico.

“I think it is fair to say that there is a trend emblematic of our industry, where distributors like us are now multi-skilled commercial machines. And amongst all of that change, we are still a growing business which is what I am really really proud of,”  commented Ruth Berry, Managing Director Global Partnerships at ITV Studios.