FremantleMedia Enterprises and the U.S. division of Random House have announced a new creative and strategic partnership to develop scripted television programming for the U.S. and international markets. Both FremantleMedia and Random House are Bertelsmann companies.
As part of the deal, Random House Studio, the publisher’s re-branded entertainment division, has launched a new division, Random House Television, to work with Random House editors, publishers and authors’ agents to acquire rights for broadcast network, cable and premium television scripted projects. The new division will also work with Random House authors to develop original scripted television properties; FremantleMedia Enterprises will have first-look rights on all programming to come out of the partnership.
Former HBO executive producer Jeffrey Levine will head the Random House Television division as head of television, based in FME’s Los Angeles offices. In his new role Levine will work closely with Jeff Tahler, FME’s senior vice president of global content, and Tony Optican, FME North American senior vice president of scripted programming.
“This is a hugely exciting coming together of two companies in the Bertelsmann family,” says David Ellender, global chief executive officer, FME. “As one of the world’s most successful book publishers with a global roster of admired authors, Random House is the perfect partner for FremantleMedia as we continue to develop and expand our slate of world-class scripted content for international audiences.”