eOne, Alleycats Films kick off first-look distribution pact with BBC Three series

Hasbro-owned Entertainment One (eOne) has agreed a distribution pact giving it exclusive international distribution rights to Northern Ireland-based Alleycats Films’ content.

Ed Stobart

Alleycats will develop and produce content aimed at the global marketplace created under the first-look deal, which gives eOne the option to take exclusive international distribution rights.

Initial projects included in the pact are two new BBC Three series: The Fast & the Farmer-ish (7×30’), a competitive series offering a glimpse into the lives of young farmers; and The Big Proud Party Agency (6 x60’), following a team of LGBTQ+ professional party agents as they plan iconic events.

The agreement was brokered by London-based Noel Hedges, Canada-based eOne’s executive VP of acquisitions.

Alleycats Films and eOne have collaborated in the past, including eOne handling international distribution of factual series Lost Worlds & Hidden Treasures. The show has been sold into more than 60 territories and in its first run on BBC Four was among the channel’s top 10 documentaries of 2019, according to eOne.

“As we continue to bolster our expansive slate of compelling content, this deeper partnership with Alleycats builds on our existing relationship with the company and further strengthens our strategy to partner with top creatives to provide high-end factual content to clients around the world,” said Hedges.

“Proudly based in Northern Ireland, we’re passionate storytellers and we want to reach the biggest possible audiences. After a period of rapid growth, we’re delighted to be partnering with eOne in a relationship that will allow us to further expand, building a foothold in the US and new international markets,” said Ed Stobart, MD and executive producer at Alleycats.

Alleycats Films’ programming slate includes Tiananmen: The People v The Party (PBS/Arte), How To Defuse a Bomb (BBC One/Four) and Helluva Tour (Channel 4).