View TV acquires Knight Vision Studios, taps Simon Knight as CEO of studio arm 

US-based connected TV company View TV has acquired Knight Vision Studios, the production company founded last year by Maverick TV USA’s former CEO Simon Knight.

Simon Knight

Through the deal, View TV has tapped Knight as CEO of its direct-to-consumer streaming network, View TV Studios, focused on episodic television. In his new capacity, Knight is tasked with producing and building out a slate of originals as well as partnering with other independent producers and studios to bring in new content.

View TV said its proprietary Eden platform enables content rights holders to reach audiences via free ad-supported streaming television channels and other connected TV platforms. Its model, it added, allows studios to “retain IP, control funding, and make data-driven creative decisions.”

During his time as the CEO of Maverick TV USA, which was closed by owner All3Media last year, British-born, LA-based producer Knight executive produced titles including Netflix competition cooking series Barbeque Showdown and USA Network’s Chrisley Knows Best.

He previously led the main UK arm of Maverick TV before relocating to LA in 2022. While at Maverick in the UK, Knight worked on series such as The Ritz Hotel (ITV), The Elephant Hospital (Channel 5), 10 Years Younger in 10 Days (Channel 5) and the revival of How to Look Good Naked (Really). Prior to that he was creative director at Warner Bros International Production-backed UK prodco Ricochet and before that executive producer at BBC Bristol.

“Joining forces with View TV allows us to empower creators and studios like never before,” said Knight. “We’re opening the doors to direct-to-audience production, giving creators control over IP, monetisation, and funding, while using historic and audience data to inform every creative decision. It’s the perfect blend of creativity and analytics – the science of TV.”

View TV’s CEO Jamie Branson added: “Bringing Knight Vision Studios into View TV Studios allows us to combine world-class creative experience with cutting-edge AI and distribution tools. Our goal is simple: deliver great TV, faster, smarter, and with full control for creators.”