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Critical takes stake in Renowned Films

MIPCOM: Critical Content, the US production company that emerged out of Relativity TV’s management buy-out, is embarking on an international push by investing in UK-based prodco Renowned Films.

Tom Forman

Tom Forman-fronted Critical has made what is described as a “strategic investment” in London-based Renowned, which was founded in 2012 and produces unscripted, factual entertainment, features and documentaries.

Critical is buying the stake held by Channel 4’s Growth Fund, which took a minority position to support the growth of the business in March 2015, as well as making an additional investment in the outfit.

The partnership will enable Renowned to increase its factual output and move further into digital and branded development in the UK and US. Its programming includes Channel 4 duo The Women Who Kill Lions and forthcoming show The Peng Life, which features YouTube talent Elijah Quashie.

Forman, Critical Content’s CEO, and Christoph Pachler, exec VP and chief financial officer, will join the board of Renowned.

“Renowned is an ambitious, forward-thinking company and we are excited that our investment will enable the company to expand its portfolio and widen its reach,” said Forman.

“Factual is a vibrant space and British companies are among the world leaders. Renowned has its fingers on the cultural pulse and seamlessly moves between TV, digital and branded, and from high-budget to low.”

Max Welch, founder and creative director at Renowned, added that the deal would allow his company to “turbo-charge” its growth.

“We have set the stage for expansion in the UK and are excited to grow our presence in the US in collaboration with Tom and the incredibly talented Critical Content team.”

Jonathan Allan, Channel 4’s commercial director, said: “Channel 4’s investment in Renowned is a blueprint for what the Growth Fund is here to do.

“In two-and-a-half years we’ve helped Duane, Max and Tim grow their business from new and disruptive market entrants to achieving major success and now launching on the international stage – and the return on our investment will help support our ongoing commitment to the UK wide creative sector.”

Critical Content emerged from Relativity Media’s TV operation in 2016 as an indie studio and has a slew of 60 projects in production for more than 30 networks, including Tia Mowry at Home for Cooking Channel in the US and Catfish for MTV.

It also has overall deals with numerous production outfits, including Howie Mandel’s Alevy Productions, Ellen Rakieten Entertainment and Gunnar Wetterberg.

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