DRG embarks on What Larks deal

What Larks is behind shows including Patisserie with Michel Roux

Modern Times Group-owned distributor DRG has agreed a first-look deal with UK producer What Larks to sell its factual content globally.

The deal sees the distributor gain exclusive worldwide rights to all of What Larks’ factual content, including The Magic of Houdini with Alan Davies and Chocolate Perfection with Michel Roux.

What Larks was set up in 2009 by filmmaker Claire Whalley (The Choir, Boys Don’t Sing) and produces arts, history, factual entertainment and comedy shows including For Crying Out Loud with Jo Brand, Patisserie with Michel Roux and Queen Victoria’s Letters: A Monarch Unveiled with A.N. Wilson.

Katy Cundall, VP of factual acquisitions at UK-based DRG, said her firm is “committed to supporting the UK creative industries and, in particular, content producers, so we are delighted to be building a new relationship with What Larks.

“Factual content remains a popular genre of programming globally and we are thrilled to be the distributor for these fresh new shows from this exciting up-and-coming production company.”

Whalley added: “Building a relationship with a dynamic distributor like DRG is very exciting for a company like What Larks where quality, humour and originality are always at the fore. We look forward to creating cutting-edge and inspired content together that will appeal to audiences worldwide.”

Earlier this year DRG invested in new start-up Three River Fiction (TRF), Hillbilly Films & Television and Runaway Fridge Productions.