Mogensen to replace Fox at DRG

Jeremy Fox, founder and chairman of UK-based distributor DRG, is stepping down from his position to be replaced by Morten Mogensen, CEO of DRG’s parent company NENT Studios.

Richard Halliwell

At the same time, DRG’s CEO Richard Halliwell has been appointed to the additional role of CEO at DRG-owned Atrium TV to replace Fox, who will no longer be involved with the SVoD commissioning group that was unveiled last year with Sir Howard Stringer.

Halliwell, who joined the distributor in 2013 from BBC Worldwide (now known as BBC Studios), replaced Fox as CEO at DRG last year, with Fox then moving into the newly created role of executive chairman.

However, he is now set to leave the company he launched and will focus on “new projects outside the group,” having completed the terms of his earn out. Stringer has been named chairman of Atrium TV.

NENT Studios is part of Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group), itself formed following the splitting up of Nordic media giant MTG. The latter acquired DRG in 2013 and NENT will now buy Fox’s remaining shares in the distribution business.

Mogensen said: “The entertainment industry is evolving more rapidly than ever, so quality drama content is in greater demand than ever. DRG and Atrium TV are both leading the way and Jeremy is a key figure in the industry – as both the founder of DRG and the architect behind DRG’s entity Atrium TV.

“As Jeremy has chosen to move on to new projects outside the group we wish him well and look forward to continuing the successful development of both businesses.

“Richard will now be CEO of both companies and ensure that we implement the existing strategy, build even more innovative collaborations and deliver great programming.”

Halliwell added: “Atrium TV is a ground-breaking business concept, bringing together some of the best known streaming services and network operators around the world and pairing them with exceptional writers and producers.

“Working with Jeremy for the past five years has been a fantastic experience. DRG is today an industry benchmark for content creation and distribution across all platforms, and Atrium TV’s innovation and momentum is attracting global interest.”

DRG was founded in 2007 and has become a major distributor, with a catalogue of more than 13,000 hours and 150 formats. Fox has been vocal over recent months that the distribution business is in a state of flux, with new models required to deliver profits.

Fox launched Atrium TV as a subsidiary to DRG at MipTV in 2017, with companies including Viaplay in the Nordics, UK telco BT, Orange in France and Deutsche Telecom among partners at the commissioning outfit. Its slate includes Silo, written by Peter Horton and Raelle Tucker, with Horton and Hollywood star Michael Douglas attached to produce.