Fremantle backs ex-Top Gear exec

FremantleMedia has taken a minority stake in new production company headed by BBC and Studio Lambert alum Gary Hunter.

Gary Hunter

Wild Blue will focus on creating new returnable brands with international appeal across factual, factual entertainment and live events.

FremantleMedia holds a 25% stake with the option to increase its share in the future. Further financial terms were not disclosed.

Hunter’s credits include Coast, Richard Hammond’s Invisible Worlds, and SAS: Are You Tough Enough?.

He is also credited with the redesign and relaunch of Top Gear in 2002, executive producing the first five series.

The producer also originated Heston Blumenthal: In Search of Perfection and Last Man Standing, while in 2012 he won an Emmy for the BBC/NatGeo/Red Bull feature documentary Space Dive.

He joined Undercover Boss prodco Studio Lambert to head up its UK arm in 2012 after 12 years at pubcaster the BBC.

“After a wonderful 12 years at the BBC and a stint with the hugely talented team at Studio Lambert, I am delighted to be working under my own banner,” said Hunter.

“I’m looking forward to creating new factual features, formats and returning brands, and working with the global creative network unique to FremantleMedia to bring inspiring, informative and entertaining content to viewers around the world.”

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO FremantleMedia, added: “Gary has a fantastically fresh and original development slate, plus a wealth of experience and knowledge that complements FremantleMedia.”

The deal is the latest in a string of investments and acquisitions by FremantleMedia over the last 12 months.

This includes stakes in Israeli outfit Abot Hameiri; Naked Entertainment, Man Alive Entertainment, Full Fat TV, Corona Pictures and Dr Pluto in the UK; Dutch producer No Pictures Please; French indies Fontaram and Kwai; scripted producer Wildside in Italy; and, most recently, UK digital media company Squawka.