Hat Trick turns on Livewire with BBC alum

Hat Trick Productions in the UK is partnering with BBC Studios producer Guy Freeman and talent agent Anita Land to set up an entertainment co-venture.

Guy Freeman

Freeman will be leaving his position as editor, formats and special events at BBC Studios at the end of February to launch Livewire Pictures alongside Hat Trick and Land.

The prodco will specialise in entertainment shows, music programming and high-profile live events, according to Hat Trick.

Freeman made programmes such as Noel’s House Party for the BBC in the mid-1990s before moving on to the Brit Awards. He spent three years as controller of music and events at ITV before executive producing The Diamond Jubilee Concert for the BBC.

His other credits include the first season of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, The Eurovision Song Contest, BBC Music Awards and last year’s One Love: Manchester concert.

Livewire Pictures will operate out of Hat Trick’s offices in London, while Hat Trick International will have an exclusive distribution agreement with the company.

Hat Trick’s indie investment strategy has seen it take stakes in Plum Pictures in 2007 and Emporium Productions in 2015, and launch the drama co-venture HTM with writer Jed Mercurio in 2016.

Jimmy Mulville, Hat Trick’s MD, said: “Guy is a proven creative leader with an unrivalled track record in big entertainment shows. Announcing this bold new venture with him and Anita Land is the perfect way to start 2018.”