Roadshow Films has continued it push into television production, acquiring a 50 per cent stake in BLINK TV.
Headed by Paul Clarke and based out of Sydney, BLINK TV is focused on unscripted production.
Clarke (Spicks and Specks, Whitlam: the Power and the Passion) has been the key creative executive for SBS' coverage of the Eurovision Song Contest since 2009, and led the negotiations for Australia’s involvement and entries into the song comp. The producer has also been behind the talks to establish a Eurovision concept in the Asia Pacific region for SBS.
In a statement, Roadshow Films Co-CEO Chris Chard said the investment into BLINK TV was consistent with Roadshow’s strategy to expand its production interests beyond scripted drama. He said it would position the company to capitalise on the “increasing importance that unscripted formats and entertainment series have with broadcasters, subscription platforms and on multi-channel networks.”
“We've enjoyed a strong history of success as a distributor with the brands Paul and the executive team at BLINK TV have previously created and we are excited about the potential value that BLINK can unlock, particularly with its impressive development slate," said Chard.
Roadshow’s investment into BLINK TV follows its move into scripted production last year with the establishment of Roadshow Rough Diamond, helmed by producer John Edwards and his son, former ITV Studios and Endemol executive, Dan Edwards. John Edwards told IF last year the company would be predominantly focused on long-form series.
“It’s where I most enjoy working; in that longer series form. Those… frankly, will be our priorities, as both a business and creatively,” he said.
Prior to this, Roadshow hadn’t had TV venture since the 80s and 90s, when Roadshow Coote and Carroll produced Brides of Christ, GP and A Long Way From Home.
Co-CEO Joel Pearlman said Roadshow had a long relationship with Clarke, and said he was excited by BLINK TV's potential.
“Paul and his team boast outstanding production experience and we look forward to working with them to develop their strong slate in the unscripted production space,” he said.
Commenting on the move BLINK’s Clarke said: "Roadshow is an Australian entertainment success story, a company with enormous integrity, capable of working at the highest level in international film and television. We are delighted to be partnering with them. Our big vision is to bring the Eurovision brand to Asia, with the support of SBS and the EBU; and Roadshow has a strong track record of successfully releasing entertainment projects through Northern Asia.”
Roadshow’s commercial manager Grahame Grassby will help lead the development of BLINK TV’s series, formats and entertainment brands across the region.