CBS buys into PatMa, signs first-look

US broadcaster CBS has signed a first-look deal with independent prodco PatMa and acquired a stake in the company.

Nina Tassler

PatMa was set up in 2018 by former CBS Entertainment chairman Nina Tassler and film and TV producer Denise Di Novi.

The company creates content for all entertainment platforms, with a focus on diversity and inclusion.

Under the deal, CBS will get a first look at new PatMa content developed for broadcast and premium markets. CBS Studios will co-finance and coproduce projects set up at the CBS Television Network, Showtime and CBS All Access and will serve as the worldwide distributor.

CBS has also acquired an ownership stake in PatMa through the deal, but PatMa will continue to operate as an independent prodco with the ability to sell to all buyers across the broadcast, cable and streaming markets.

Tassler and Di Novi will continue to lead all of the company’s operations, along with recently announced new president Joan Boorstein.

Denise Di Novi

Projects already in development as part of the partnership include American Martyrs, a limited series for Showtime based on Joyce Carol Oates’ epic 2017 novel A Book of American Martyrs.

The series, which tells the story of two families whose lives collide when a politically charged act of violence rips both apart, is written by Winnie Holzman (Wicked, Thirtysomething) and Savannah Dooley (Nashville).

Holzman, Dooley, Tassler and Di Novi will exec produce with Debra Greenfield and Linda Kent.

“Nina and Denise are accomplished, creative leaders and proven producers who are respected across the industry for their artistic vision as well as their strong social consciousness,” said David Nevins, chief creative officer at CBS Corp and chairman and CEO of Showtime Networks.