Fremantle Australia realigns entertainment, reality, gameshows under Eureka
Fremantle Group in Australia has unveiled a realignment of its operations that will see development and production of its entertainment, reality and gameshow formats brought under Eureka Productions.
Chris Culvenor
At the same time, the company has announced that Fremantle Australia’s interim CEO Greg Woods will assume the role on a permanent basis and focus on the other side of the business, leading development and production of drama, documentaries and factual-skewing programmes.
Woods assumed the interim CEO position late in 2021 following the departure of Chris Oliver-Taylor, who left to join Netflix as head of physical production for Australia and New Zealand.
The implementation of the new structure comes after Fremantle last year increased its ownership position in Eureka Productions to a majority. Under the new structure, Los Angeles- and Sydney-headquartered Eureka, which is led by co-CEOs Chris Culvenor and Paul Franklin, will take on production of all Fremantle’s entertainment catalogue including Australia’s Got Talent, Australian Idol and Farmer Wants a Wife.
Fremantle Australia said it will continue production on its factual formats Grand Designs and Restoration Australia, in addition to building its documentary business and placing a greater emphasis on global drama production.
Paul Franklin
In 2022, Fremantle Australia is set to launch scripted titles including eight-part thriller Barons and six-part psychological drama Significant Others. Both are produced for ABC Australia with investment from Screen Australia and Screen NSW.
The company is also in production on two local Netflix commissions: Heartbreak High, a reboot of the 90s teen drama; and Wellmania, a comedic drama executive produced and starring actor and comedian Celeste Barber.
“Greg has been a key part of the Fremantle Australia leadership team for 13 years – this is a natural progression at an exciting time for the business,” said Jennifer Mullin, group CEO, Fremantle.
“I have known and worked with Chris and Paul for many years and have no doubt that our entertainment catalogue in Australia will continue to thrive in their hands.”
Eureka Productions was founded in 2016 with backing from Fremantle. It has a portfolio of over 40 series for network, streaming, cable and digital platforms in the US, Canada and Australia.
In the US, Eureka’s credits include Holey Moley for ABC, in addition to Full Bloom (HBOMax), TwentySomethings Austin (Netflix), Name That Tune (FOX), Frogger (Peacock), The Real Dirty Dancing (FOX) and Crikey It’s the Irwins (Discovery). In Australia, its slate includes Luxe Listings (Amazon), Amazing Race Australia (Ten) and Parental Guidance (Nine).
