BACKENTERTAINMENT ONE ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN UK NON SCRIPTED LEADERS WHIZZ KID ENTERTAINMENTExtending eOne's Non-Scripted Capabilities into New Territories
Building on the Two Companies' Successful Collaboration on the Upcoming US Version of
Ex on the Beach for MTV, Based on Whizz Kid's Hit UK Format
April 9, 2018 London/Los Angeles - Entertainment One ( eOne ) today announced that it has acquired a majority stake in UK non-scripted television production company Whizz Kid Entertainment ( Whizz Kid ), led by founder Malcolm Gerrie and Lisa Chapman.
Marking eOne's first UK-based television production company acquisition, the transaction further broadens eOne's robust UK business, a hub for the Company's Family and Brands business, with marquee property Peppa Pig, as well as film, scripted television and international distribution operations. The move also represents eOne's continued growth and investment in the non-scripted space and propels its dynamic non-scripted development and production capabilities into new territories.
The transatlantic non-scripted foothold is expected to build on the momentum of Ex on the Beach, the popular Whizz Kid format currently being adapted by eOne for MTV in the US, with additional US adaptations of audience-favorite Whizz Kid formats, while reciprocally bringing eOne's expansive US non-scripted slate to the UK market.
Whizz Kid gives us a strong footing in one of the most creative markets in the world and is a great first step in our ambitious non-scripted global expansion strategy, said eOne's Tara Long, EVP, Alternative, Television. Malcolm is a highly-respected industry executive with broad experience in the international market. We couldn't be more excited to hit the ground running together with new series on both sides of the Atlantic.
From the first moment we met Tara and the eOne non-scripted team we knew there was a real chemistry. eOne is a major player on the world stage and I'm thrilled to partner with them on this next chapter of the Whizz Kid story. Our former partners Ingenious have been terrific from the very beginning and we thank them and Patrick McKenna for all their unwavering support,'' said Gerrie, CEO, Whizz Kid Entertainment.
'The team at Whizz Kid always set the bar high creatively,'' added Lisa Chapman, Managing Director, Whizz Kid Entertainment. 'Having already collaborated on Ex on the Beach with eOne in the US, we are now looking forward to creating even more ambitious and daring global entertainment formats.''
Established in 2006, Whizz Kid has a track record of creating resonant non-scripted brands, such as Ex on the Beach (9 seasons), Let's Dance for BBC 1 (5 seasons) and the Life on Screen specials for BBC2 (co-produced with BAFTA). The company is also a leading live event specialist producing the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) and numerous live events - which is a growing area of focus for eOne. Whizz Kid has long-standing relationships with key broadcasters in the UK including BBC, Sky, Channel 4, ITV and Channel 5, which through continued success will reinforce partnership potential across all genres and support eOne's deep scripted development efforts in the UK.
Whizz Kid will continue to be led by Gerrie and Chapman, who will report to Long, and will operate under its own banner and brand. The rest of the senior team remains in place and will continue to focus on the development of original non-scripted entertainment programming with significant international appeal.
eOne s robust slate of non-scripted shows includes Death Row Chronicles for BET; 2017 Emmy nominee for LA Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later; Biggie: The Life of Notorious B.I.G. the first biography to be authorized by the rapper's estate for A&E; hit new series Siesta Key for MTV; The Hollywood Puppet Sh!t Show from executive producer Wilmer Valderrama for Fuse; Growing Up Hip Hop and Growing Up Hip Hop Atlanta, the docu-series franchise following the next generation of hip-hop royalty for WEtv; and Mary Mary for WEtv, among others.
eOne and Whizz Kid were brought together by WME. Whizz Kid was represented in the deal by ACF.
About Entertainment One
Entertainment One Ltd. (LSE:ETO) is a global independent studio that specialises in the development, acquisition, production, financing, distribution and sales of entertainment content. The Company's diversified expertise spans across film, television and music production and sales, family programming, merchandising and licensing, and digital content. Through its global reach and expansive scale, powered by deep local market knowledge, the Company delivers the best content to the world.
Entertainment One's robust network includes newly-launched MAKEREADY with Brad Weston; content creation venture Amblin Partners with Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Studios, Participant Media, and Reliance Entertainment; leading feature film production and global sales company Sierra Pictures; unscripted television production company Renegade 83; world-class music labels Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang; and award-winning digital agency Secret Location
The Company's rights library is exploited across all media formats and includes more than 80,000 hours of film and television content and approximately 40,000 music tracks.
For additional information:
Jackie Rubin
jrubin@entonegroup.com
424-274-4151
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
28/01/2026
Top L-R: The Liars, Jazz Infernal, Living with a Visionary
Second Row L-R: Paper Trail, The Baddest Speechwriter of All, Crisis Actor
Third Row: The Boys and ...
28/01/2026
Music discovery should feel intuitive and personal. That's why we're continuing to give you more control, so you can ask for what you want, shape what y...
28/01/2026
Today, Charlie Hellman, Spotify's Head of Music, shared the following note on the Spotify for Artists blog that the company paid out more than $11 billion t...
28/01/2026
The National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), in partnership with the Oudtshoorn Municipality, invites aspiring and emerging filmmakers to apply for the Sediba...
28/01/2026
As demand for more complex live sports coverage grows, Balkan broadcast specialist MVP has upgraded its flagship HD1 progressive OB truck with the installation ...
28/01/2026
Airlines, cruise and tour operators double down on ad spend as Australians' prioritise travel
Sydney January 28, 2026 - New Nielsen Ad Intel data shows a...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Marshall Electronics launches the CV420-27X, its next-generation ultra-high-definition (UHD) IP camera, at ISE 2026 (Stand 4N900). Engineered for modern IP-base...
28/01/2026
Grass Valley has announced that Television Mobiles Ltd. (TVM), one of Europe's leading independent outside broadcast providers, has carried out a major refu...
28/01/2026
AI, graphics and virtual software power new production capabilities
FOR-A is bringing remarkable new technologies to FOMEX, the Future of Media Exhibition (ex...
28/01/2026
Continuing a longstanding collaboration, Riedel Communications and Nordic media technology company Media Tailor have once again joined forces to deliver a state...
28/01/2026
Pebble has appointed Paul Nagle-Smith as vice president for customer fulfilment, strengthening its senior leadership focus on customer delivery and operational ...
28/01/2026
Cloud playout solutions provider, Veset has announced that leading Mexican broadcaster, TV Azteca is using Veset Nimbus on AWS as a disaster recovery (DR) playo...
28/01/2026
Ensuring it can keep pace with a rapidly evolving live sports market, Balkan broadcast facility provider MVP Most Valuable Production has upgraded its flags...
28/01/2026
Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the cloud solutions provider that powers and protects life online, and Yospace, the leader in dynamic ad insertion tec...
28/01/2026
The renowned Reykjavik City Theatre (RCT) recently underwent a major intercom system upgrade using Clear-Com solutions. This milestone project utilizes Clear-C...
28/01/2026
Luxembourg, January 26, 2026 - SES S.A. ( SES or the Company ), a leading space solutions company, acknowledges the credit rating action announced by Fitch to...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
28/01/2026
28 01 2026 - Media release Screen Australia refreshes Market & Audience approach...
28/01/2026
Boston Conservatory Orchestra Premieres a New Piano Concerto by Peter and Leonar...
28/01/2026
Rohde & Schwarz to host 2026 edition of its online event Demystifying EMC Rohde & Schwarz invites the global EMC community to join a crucial discussion on pre...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
The Wait Is Over: Teaser Trailer Drops for Jo Nesbo's Dete...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Announces a Fictional Miniseries Inspired by the Marta del Castillo Case
Entertainment
28 January 2026
GlobalSpain
Link copied to ...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Announces Santiago Mitres New Film Starring Ver nica L...
28/01/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Unveils the Teaser Trailer for Berlin and the Lady wit...
28/01/2026
Stadtwerke Wolfhagen Modernize Customer Management with AEP.energysuite from Arv...
27/01/2026
Click for Japanese version
Tokyo, Japan - January 27, 2026 - Akamai Technolo...
27/01/2026
L-R: Jonathan Cuchacovich, Sonia Kennebeck, Alan Fischer, Daeil Kim, Andrew Sta...
27/01/2026
Today, Spotify is proud to support our partner Backline, an industry-leading men...
27/01/2026
With nearly 29 million monthly listeners and clear momentum on Spotify, Net n Ve...
27/01/2026
January 14, 2026
We are proud to share that 25 Ontario, First Gulf's commercial project located just two minutes from our head office, has been recognized ...
27/01/2026
January 22, 2026
First Gulf is excited to share that a full-building lease has been secured at 625 Bronte Rd in Oakville, part of Bronte Station Business Park,...
27/01/2026
January 23, 2026
First Gulf continues to demonstrate its commitment to high-performance, sustainable real estate with 351 King Street East achieving BOMA BEST ...
27/01/2026
eds3_5_jq(document).ready(function($) { $(#eds_sliderM519).chameleonSlider_2_1({ content_source:......
27/01/2026
Nielsen will continue to drive growth and provide local audience measurement
in...
27/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
27/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
27/01/2026
Share Share by:
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Pinterest
Bluesky
Email...
27/01/2026
Amagi Media Labs Limited, the only cloud-native SaaS provider offering end-to-end solutions across live production, content preparation, distribution, and monet...
27/01/2026
Miri Technologies Inc. today unveiled its V410 live 4K video encoder/decoder for streaming, IP-based production workflows and AV-over-IP distribution. Designed ...
27/01/2026
The Paul E. Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell in Massachusetts has chosen Ikegami cameras for incorporation into its broadcast-quality television production facili...
27/01/2026
SipRadius, specialists in secure, low latency media transport, will show the pro AV community its end-to-end solution for high quality content distribution and ...
BACKENTERTAINMENT ONE ACQUIRES MAJORITY STAKE IN UK NON SCRIPTED LEADERS WHIZZ KID ENTERTAINMENTExtending eOne's Non-Scripted Capabilities into New Territories
