Fremantle launches sports content unit Fremantle Sports

European production giant Fremantle has launched a sports content unit called Fremantle Sports.

Owain Walbyoff

Fremantle Sports will focus on unscripted and scripted content including factual documentaries and digital formats, working with the Fremantle entertainment, documentary and drama and film teams to “significantly expand” its current sports offering.

Fremantle said the new unit’s launch forms part of the company’s wider growth strategy, building on the expansion of its drama and film and documentary businesses in recent years.

Fremantle Sports will focus on supporting the wider group’s labels in the creation of entertainment, scripted and factual content based on sports IP, talent and stories. It will also explore the development of new cross-platform sports formats for global distribution.

Fremantle’s labels include: 72 Films, UFA, TalkbackThames, Fremantle Australia, Fremantle North America, Wildside, Naked, Fremantle Italy, Beach House Pictures, Silvio Films, Original Productions, Stand By Me, November Film, En Cero Coma and Monster Films.

Owain Walbyoff will be appointed as the new director of sports at Fremantle, where he will lead and develop Fremantle Sports’ strategy in expanding the company’s global sports content offering, through partnerships with rights holders, brands, first-look and coproduction deals.

Walbyoff has been working as a consultant at Fremantle since last August, before which he was chief commercial officer at Banijay for four years.

Fremantle Sports has been spearheaded by Fremantle UK CEO Amelia Brown, group head of strategy Gabriella Carriere, Fremantle Northern Europe CEO Georgette Schlick, president of original productions Jeff Hasler and global head of documentaries and factual Mark Reynolds.