Channel 4 parts ways with LA acquisitions and coproduction consultant Crispin Leyser
LA-based Crispin Leyser, acquisitions and coproductions consultant for UK pubcaster Channel 4 (C4), is leaving the post after 17 years.
Crispin Leyser
Leyser acted as C4’s sole US representative, where he helped identify the best dramas, comedies and formats for acquisition, including Homeland, Fargo, New Girl and Brooklyn Nine Nine. He also sourced potential projects and production partners in the US for possible future coproductions.
Leyser began his career as a producer at London Weekend Television in 1997, before becoming a commissioning editor at Channel 4 in 2002. In 2003, he emigrated to LA to become exec VP of development at September Films, a role he held for two years.
Since 2007, Leyser has run his own consultancy firm called Transatlantic Television. As well as C4, he previously worked as a US consultant for Sweden’s NENT Group (now Viaplay Group) and UK-based DRG (now NENT Studios UK and owned by All3Media). Since 2023, he has also acted as a US consultant for research company Glance.
Posting on LinkedIn at the weekend, Leyser said: “After 17 years, today is my last day working for Channel 4 as their ‘Man in LA.’ No commiserations necessary. I’m proud of the work I’ve done – the intel I provided and the shows I helped acquire. And as they say in England, I’ve had a good innings. Or to translate that from cricket to baseball, I’ve had a long time at-bat.”
Reflecting on how the market has changed over the years since taking up the role, Leyser added: “When I started this gig, I was renting DVDs by mail from this company called Netflix. I wonder what became of them…? It would be six more years (2013) before Netflix made House of Cards, an aptly named first original given where the industry is at.
“Since 2012 I’ve created a booklet for the LA Screenings in May that contains market analysis and a page about every pilot about to be screened, with reviews of the scripts and predictions of success. I’ve kept a copy of each of these booklets and they serve as a fascinating historical document of all the changes in the industry – through strikes, pandemics and the streaming revolution.
“Here’s just one remarkable statistic: In 2012 there were 38 broadcast network pilots screened and five for cable. In 2024, there were five broadcast network pilots screened, one for cable, 16 for streaming and eight international shows.
“Everything has changed… and yet, in 2012 the highest rated show was Sunday Night Football. Other top-rated shows were Survivor, American Idol, The Voice, NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, Dancing with the Stars and The Bachelor. Many of the shows have stayed the same; it’s just how we watch them that’s different.”
