EXCLUSIVE: U.S. unscripted producers are set to get a direct line to formats from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia.
NPACT has teamed with Jenny Daly’s internationally-minded Critical Content to create a pipeline for the nonfiction producers trade association’s members. The agreement will see Critical connecting its network of global first-look partners with NPACT members.
As we reported first throughout last year, Catfish and Instant Dream Home maker Critical struck a range of development deals with Dubai’s Blue Engine Studios, Germany’s Leonine Studios, Australia’s Warner Bros. International Television Production, Korea’s Something Special, Singapore’s Refinery Media, Belgium’s Be-Entertainment and France’s ITV Studios France.
Daly built up the group as part of a plan to internationalize her business and co-develop formats that can eventually run in the U.S. and other countries. Last year, she told Deadline the deals were in place “as a means to ensure success — not only allowing for a lower-cost model to be possible, but the ability to place formats outside the U.S.”
Many American nonfiction producers have been looking overseas to find new business as the well of unscripted commissions from the cable sector remains dry. Critical and NPACT say the new pact will offer them “unparalleled access to tools and resources for thriving in the global marketplace.”
Stéfanie Gelinas, who runs Critical Content’s global initiative, will help oversee the NPACT partnership.
“I’m excited to collaborate with the creative houses of NPACT members and utilize our global relationships to get their formats up and running in international territories,” said Daly. “This partnership will allow producers to both test drive their formats and leverage their successes for an eventual U.S. sale.”
“In this time of seismic change in our industry, NPACT is focused on providing access to innovative resources for our members,” added Michelle Van Kempen, General Manager of NPACT. “Our partnership with Critical Content creates exciting new avenues for U.S. producers to introduce original formats to global audiences, unlocking creative pipelines that otherwise might not be within reach.”
Sky Global-owned Critical has been building out its international plan while growing a U.S. slate including Netflix doc series Sly and Celebrity Game Face with Kevin Hart for E!. Also for Netflix are Reese Witherspoon and Molly Sims’ Get Organized with the Home Edit Instant Dream Home, while a docuseries with music stars and married couple Nelly and Ashanti is being made for Peacock.
