MGM partners with Aalderink, Lubbers

Roy Aalderink (left) and Peter Lubbers

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) Television has launched a Dutch production company led by Roy Aalderink and Peter Lubbers and focusing on unscripted formats.

Concept Street will produce local originals and has a first-look deal across MGM’s slate of formats, including Steve Harvey’s Funderdome, renovation show Minor Renovations, music programme Signed and wedding social experiment Married 10.

Aalderink and Lubbers will be co-MDs of the company and have taken equity stakes in the new firm, with MGM selling all resulting IP globally, excluding the Benelux region.

They will also work with Mark Burnett, president, television group and digital at MGM, and his team on production and with Chris Ottinger, president of worldwide television distribution and acquisitions, on distribution.

Aalderink was formerly CEO of Zodiak Netherlands and Strix Television Benelux. He has created, sold and produced formats such as My Last Words, Save My Holiday, Jo Frost: Nanny on Tour and Ugly Ducklings.

Lubber previously worked for Endemol and replaced Aalderink at Zodiak in the Netherlands. He was also director of programming at local broadcaster SBS and programme director at RTL7, and has commissioned local versions of such formats as Dancing with the Stars, Fort Boyard and MasterChef.

“Roy and Peter possess an exceptional understanding of the Benelux market and knowledge about what resonates with audiences in the region,” said Burnett.

Aalderink and Lubbers said they would create “fresh and exciting new concepts for both linear channels and non-linear platforms, as well bringing the best MGM has to offer to our local markets.”

Concept Street’s launch comes six months after MGM agreed a coproduction and sales venture with Red Arrow Entertainment Group prodco RedSeven Entertainment.