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NENT, FilmNation set up UK drama prodco

Scandinavian media firm Nordic Entertainment Group (NENT Group) is teaming up with US independent production company, distributor and financier FilmNation Entertainment to launch a UK-based scripted television label.

Glen Basner

The as-yet unnamed joint venture will develop, produce and finance premium scripted content for global broadcasters.

Operating under the FilmNation brand, the prodco will work with a range of UK studios, talent and financiers to develop its content. The new prodco will create productions for the UK and international market, and look to work with broadcasters around the world. C21 understands it will focus on producing English-language content.

NENT Group and FilmNation are in the process of recruiting a chief creative officer, head of development and executive producer, with the new venture set to begin operations in the first half of 2019.

Under the partnership, the two firms will harness their relationships with talent to create a content pipeline for the JV, while simultaneously growing their own international presence. NENT Group has taken a “significant” minority stake in the firm and will have first option to pick up exclusive Nordic media rights to all its future productions.

Anders Jensen

Although details are being kept under wraps, the new company expects to premiere its first project towards the end of 2020. The location of the JV’s headquarters has yet to be announced.

“Launching this innovative UK partnership is an exciting step in furthering our overall global strategy to serve as trusted, premium scripted content creators, and to continue to have our platform be a destination for the world’s best storytellers,” said Glen Basner, FilmNation Entertainment’s CEO, and Milan Popelka, chief operating officer, in a statement.

“This milestone partnership with a major international studio creates numerous strategic benefits for NENT Group. We now have long-term access to some of the world’s most prestigious upcoming scripted content and co-own a high-growth company in the dynamic UK production market,” added Anders Jensen, NENT’s president and CEO.

Jakob Mejlhede Andersen

NENT, which was established last year after media giant Modern Times Group decide to split itself into two companies, has already said it will premiere 20 new original productions for its streaming service Viaplay and that the JV will not alter this plan.

The creation of the new firm in the UK will ensure NENT’s access to premium scripted content as well as giving it co-ownership of a prodco in a leading television market.

“In today’s highly competitive market for premium drama, this venture gives NENT Group a compelling advantage and complements our ongoing investments in original content,” said Jakob Mejlhede Andersen, NENT’s executive VP and head of content.

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