IM Global, Newen link up for unscripted push

MIPCOM: US producer IM Global Television (IMGTV) has entered into a joint venture with TF1 Group-owned production and distribution company Newen to develop original unscripted content for multiple platforms worldwide.

Phil Gurin

The deal, signed by Phil Gurin, IMGTV’s president of unscripted and alternative, and Newen CEO Bibiane Godfroid, will include primetime concepts, daily series and digital formats that can premiere either in the US or France and then travel around the world, said Gurin.

Fanchon Giorda, head of Newen’s development division, said the partnership would also include high-end documentaries.

IMGTV, a venture from Tang Media Partners and Chinese tech giant Tencent, develops, finances, produces and distributes high-quality scripted and unscripted content for US and international markets.

Bibiane Godfroid

Its unscripted arm, headed by Gurin, launched at the end of last year.

In late 2015, France’s leading commercial broadcaster TF1 acquired a 70% stake in Newen. Already a major producer in France (Plus Belle La Vie, Braquo, Versailles), Newen is also expanding its presence abroad, by opening a regional office in London for scripted projects and acquiring Dutch producer Tuvalu.