ITV Studios bolsters unscripted development pipeline with Patrick Carr, Bob Fletcher, Afro-Mic

Patrick Carr (left) and Bob Fletcher

ITV Studios has launched a development label with producers Patrick Carr and Bob Fletcher and signed a first-look deal with Northern Irish prodco Afro-Mic Productions.

The dual-pronged strategy includes the launch of “development pod” Great Shout, which will operate as a standalone label led by Carr and Fletcher, who bring more than 30 years of combined experience in primetime and comedy entertainment.

Under this model, Carr and Fletcher, who join with immediate effect, will pitch directly to networks and buyers while drawing on ITV Studios’ infrastructure. The duo will focus on originating returnable reality, game and quiz formats.

The partnership is designed to combine Great Shout’s ideas and agile development process with the global scale of ITV Studios, including its UK and international production companies and distribution network.

Carr’s credits include Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and the creation of In For a Penny, both for ITV, as well as more recent work with Richard Bacon’s Yes Yes Media.

Meanwhile, Fletcher’s games and entertainment experience spans UK indies and broadcasters including Hungry Bear Media, Fremantle, the BBC, Sky and ITV. His credits include season 13 of A League of Their Own. He also developed and produced S1 of comedy travelogue Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad (ITV).

Alongside the launch of Great Shout, ITV Studios has entered into a first-look agreement with Belfast-based Afro-Mic Productions.

As part of the collaboration, Afro-Mic will have the support of the group’s infrastructure, including its format catalogue, market intelligence and global distribution business. It will also have the opportunity to exploit content via ITV Studios digital labels Zoo55 and Studio55.

Afro-Mic has been behind Will & Ralf Should Know Better for U&Dave and How to Sleep Better for Channel 4.

Tim Carter, MD of UK unscripted at ITV Studios, said: “These strategic collaborations will add range, diversity and surprise to our unscripted development pipeline. They complement our production labels’ best-in-class development teams, while allowing us to remain agile and maintain our position as a leader in returnable IP.”

Mike Beale, MD of creative network at ITV Studios, added: “These partnerships represent our commitment to fostering relationships with creatives and third-party producers across the UK and internationally.”