UPTV, Reel One strike scripted deal

MIPTV: US cablenet UPTV has joined forces with indie production and distribution outfit Reel One Entertainment to develop and produce scripted content for North America and the international market.

Charley Humbard

Building on the pair’s existing relationship, the new deal will focus on developing scripted episodic series to premiere on UPTV, with Reel One holding worldwide distribution rights.

Reel One is already behind UPTV’s first scripted series Ties that Bind (aka Detective McLean), and this new partnership with the network will further both its expansion into scripted series and UPTV’s own original programming ambitions.

The deal was unveiled at MipTV in Cannes by UPTV president and CEO Charley Humbard and Reel One Entertainment CEO Tom Berry. UPTV senior VP of original programming Barbara Fisher is overseeing the content partnership for the cablenet.

Tom Berry

Reel One VP and head of international distribution Louisa Cadywould is at MipTV to identify broadcast coproduction partners for the new venture.

“In light of today’s current global climate, the demand for positive content that can bring audiences together is greater than ever,” said Humbard. “Reel One and UP share similar values and a vision to make gripping and entertaining drama that connects with an audience and that has family in mind.”

UPTV airs family-focused fare, including syndicated series such as Gilmore Girls and Growing Pains, and reaches 70 million US homes.