BBCWW buys into Burning Bright

BBC Worldwide (BBCWW) has confirmed taking a 25% stake in a new UK factual prodco headed by two former Tiger Aspect executives.

BBCWW gets all international distribution rights for content produced by Burning Bright, launched by Tiger’s former head of entertainment Clive Tulloh and ex-chairman Peter Bennett-Jones.

The partnership stems from BBCWW’s longstanding relationship with Endemol-owned Tiger, selling some of its programmes including Robin Hood and thriller The Deep.

BBCWW is also continuing talks with Kudos Film and Television’s former joint-MD Simon Crawford-Collins about taking a minority stake in his new prodco.

Earlier this year, BBC Trust chairman Lord Patten backed BBCWW’s expansion and said that once the BBC had finalised its cost-cutting measures, “we’ll be able to discuss as openly as possible how BBCWW can play an even more central role in promoting great British content.”

This came in the wake of comments from Lord Patten’s predecessor, Sir Michael Lyons, who warned against giving BBCWW free rein.

Burning Bright is the sixth UK indie BBCWW has a minority stake in, following Baby Cow (Gavin & Stacey), Big Talk (Rev), Sprout (Kingdom), Clerkenwell Films (Misfits) and Left Bank Pictures (Wallander).

It also has stakes in Canada’s Temple Street Productions and Australia’s Freehand Productions.