9th November 2022

October was an extremely busy month for Lee & Thompson’s TV and Corporate teams, as they completed three major television sector deals.  This demonstrates the dynamic and evolving nature of the TV industry at the moment and further consolidates Lee & Thompson’s position as one of the leading law firms working in the sector.

17 October – Mam Tor Productions acquired by Banijay

We advised BAFTA-winning TV producer Tally Garner, founder of TV drama production company Mam Tor Productions on its acquisition by Banijay.

With a focus on high-end, contemporary and original returning series, and working predominantly with new talent, women and other underrepresented groups, Mam Tor’s latest series is six-part original BBC drama CHLOE, which was picked up by Amazon Prime Video internationally.

Mam Tor Productions is the first company to be acquired by Banijay in the UK since it acquired Endemol Shine in 2020 and its first scripted acquisition in the UK. Banijay Rights will have a first look at all future projects as part of the deal.

Mam Tor will sit alongside scripted businesses in the UK group including Kudos, Tiger Aspect, Double Dutch, Shiny Button, Blacklight and Douglas Road.

The team at Lee & Thompson was made up of Consultant Jeremy Gawade (who brokered the deal) alongside Corporate Partner Lucy Strauss and Associates Chrissie Edgar and Fi Tudur.

14 October – C4 Indie Growth Fund investment in Warp Films

We facilitated an investment deal by Channel 4 for independent Yorkshire-based drama producer, Warp Films (This is England, The Virtues).

Channel 4’s Indie Growth Fund investment sparks a new growth phase for Warp Films’ production budget and output whilst promising a tangible economic benefit to the local region.

The transaction was led by Head of Television, Richard Lever, Corporate Partner, Lucy Strauss and Corporate Associate Sharzad Shini.

6 October – BBC Studios investment in Firebird Pictures

We acted for Elizabeth Kilgarriff and Craig Holleworth on the sale of their remaining shares in Firebird Pictures to BBC Studios. The deal sees BBCS take full ownership of the scripted company. Firebird has recently had two series greenlit, including Wilderness, a six-part series for Amazon’s Prime Video and an adaptation of Nikki May’s debut novel, Wahala, written by Theresa Ikoko for BBC One.

The Lee & Thompson team comprised Head of Corporate, Malcolm Murray, Head of Television, Richard Lever and Corporate Associate, Sharzad Shini.

Head of Television, Richard Lever commented on the deals:

“We are delighted to have been involved in three major television industry deals closing within a few short weeks of each other. These are a few of a large number of sector specific sales of high-profile television companies that Lee & Thompson has been involved with over the last 12 months. We are thrilled to be working with such dynamic producer clients and we hope to be able to continue to help producers grow and consolidate their businesses in the coming years in an ever challenging marketplace.”

Find out more about our experience on transactions in the creative industries, or take a look at our work in the television sector.