Blue Ant hires London studio chief

Canadian factual firm Blue Ant Media has appointed the co-founder and MD of UK prodco Nerd TV to lead its fledgling UK production studio.

Jago Lee

Jago Lee has joined the Canuck producer, broadcaster and distributor as creative director of the London studio, which will operate under the name Antenna Pictures.

Lee has been tasked by Blue Ant to develop a slate of distinctive formats and factual series and documentaries, targeting broadcasters and streaming video services in the UK and US.

The exec is a former head of documentaries at Tiger Aspect and set up Nerd TV in 2010, before seeing it become part of Red Arrow Entertainment Group in 2012.

“With Jago’s talent, knowledge and leadership in the factual space, we are ready to expand our production footprint to the UK under his creative direction,” said Raja Khanna, CEO of television and digital at Blue Ant Media.

“Antenna Pictures will work closely alongside Blue Ant Media’s channels and producers in Canada and our international distribution division, Blue Ant International, to create world-class factual and factual entertainment content and formats.”

The appointment comes as Blue Ant Media continues its international expansion efforts, which have seen it launch a joint venture with Smithsonian Networks to distribute its channel Love Nature globally.