NBCU, Snap forge JV, eye scripted

MIPCOM: NBCUniversal (NBCU) and Snapchat owner Snap Inc have created a digital content studio to focus on scripted shows that will be headed up by NBC Entertainment’s Lauren Anderson.

Based in Santa Monica, California, the joint-venture studio will produce made-for-mobile programming that will debut on Snapchat, with shows across all genres being made.

NBCU and Snap have equal equity stakes in the new venture, which is being headed up by Anderson, who becomes chief content officer for the studio.

Anderson was most recently senior VP of primetime programming at NBC, where she developed and oversaw scripted series including Parks & Recreation and The Office.

She will work with creative talent from across the industry while continuing to collaborate with talent from NBC Entertainment, headed up by president Jennifer Salke.

The JV’s first production partnership is with Mark and Jay Duplass’s creative shop Donut, which was founded earlier this year to collaborate with platforms and brands to create entertainment content.

“NBCUniversal is proud to have been Snap’s first partner to create Shows, and we’ve seen consistent audience growth and engagement on the platform,” said Maggie Suniewick, president of NBCU Digital Enterprises.

“This digital content studio is an extension of our already strong partnership and an opportunity to develop new IP and franchises for a mobile-first audience.”

Sean Mills, head of original content for Snap, added that he saw “scripted as the next exciting chapter to dive into,” while Anderson said the “broad digital reach of Snapchat” would allow NBCU to “take mobile programming to the next level, creating compelling shows for both viewers and advertisers.”

Mark Duplass, creative director at Donut, added: “For us, shooting in that vertical mobile format is a terrifying and thrilling creative challenge. We’ll try to not to fuck it up.”

Last September, Snap launched its Shows content on its Discover platform, allowing viewers to watch mobile TV-like content filmed for Snapchat.

NBCU was Snap’s first partner on Shows and has produced an array of programming across genres, including an entertainment news series based on E!’s The Rundown and its first daily news show, NBC News’ Stay Tuned.