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Montgomery, Klein back MediaWorks hub

A non-fiction production hub is opening in New York with the backing of ITV America CEO Brent Montgomery, Atlas Media president Bruce David Klein and state assembly member Francisco Moya.

Bruce David Klein

Queens MediaWorks will offer production and business services to non-fiction companies with the aim of keeping producers in the state.

Rents will be 30-50% lower than in Manhattan, the organisation claimed, and the 150,000 sq ft hub in Queens will act as both an office and production space.

Post-production facilities will also be available and a number of Manhattan-based prodcos have already expressed interest in moving into the hub when it opens next year.

Founding partners include Montgomery, Klein and Richard Seet, who previously worked at private equity firm The Carlyle Group, along with footballer and entrepreneur David Villa.

A youth mentorship programme will also be launched, aimed at attracting local young people into the TV business.

Brent Montgomery

The hub’s launch follows numerous calls from US independent production execs that the sector is close to collapse as networks squeeze producers to breaking point.

Montgomery and Klein said in a statement that “as the media business adjusts to massive disruption, including audience fragmentation and migration to digital, producers are under enormous pressure to find smarter, more efficient and economical ways to work, while also energising our industry.

“Queens MediaWorks has the potential to fend off the skyrocketing costs of doing business in Manhattan, while creating a cost-effective New York hub for production companies and related businesses that will help ensure the growth and longevity of unscripted.”

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