Exclusive: Paul Dunthorne, a Channel 5 veteran who joined as part of billionaire Richard Desmond’s takeover a decade ago, is leaving the UK network’s parent company ViacomCBS.
Dunthorne ran Desmond’s Portland TV and took Channel 5 under his wing after the business mogul acquired the broadcaster in 2010. He was promoted to Channel 5 chief operating officer in 2012 and then remained with the broadcaster after it was acquired by ViacomCBS in 2014.
Dunthorne continued to progress within ViacomCBS, becoming the company’s COO in the UK and Australia. More recently, Dunthorne helped act up for James Currell, executive vice president and MD for the UK and Northern and Eastern Europe, after he left last year.
Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia, said: “Paul has been integral to Channel 5’s successful reinvention in recent years and to the expansion and diversification of ViacomCBS’s operations in the UK and many other European territories.
Dunthorne ran Desmond’s Portland TV and took Channel 5 under his wing after the business mogul acquired the broadcaster in 2010. He was promoted to Channel 5 chief operating officer in 2012 and then remained with the broadcaster after it was acquired by ViacomCBS in 2014.
Dunthorne continued to progress within ViacomCBS, becoming the company’s COO in the UK and Australia. More recently, Dunthorne helped act up for James Currell, executive vice president and MD for the UK and Northern and Eastern Europe, after he left last year.
Maria Kyriacou, president of ViacomCBS Networks UK and Australia, said: “Paul has been integral to Channel 5’s successful reinvention in recent years and to the expansion and diversification of ViacomCBS’s operations in the UK and many other European territories.
- 7/14/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Motion Content Group, the Wpp-backed business behind international hits including reality format Love Island and Syfy’s Western horror thriller Wynonna Earp, is one of the most recondite TV producers and financiers in the industry. The company, which is in 26 international markets and has funded over 500 series, is now making a major play in the United States following CEO Richard Foster’s relocation from London to La.
In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Foster discusses the company’s Stateside battle plan, how he hopes British formats such as Shipwrecked and The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes can follow the likes of Love Island and The Circle, which have landed at CBS and Netflix respectively, to the U.S. as well as a major scripted push with titles including Intergalactic from the team behind Peaky Blinders.
Motion Content Group is a complex business; it works with production companies and broadcasters...
In an exclusive interview with Deadline, Foster discusses the company’s Stateside battle plan, how he hopes British formats such as Shipwrecked and The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes can follow the likes of Love Island and The Circle, which have landed at CBS and Netflix respectively, to the U.S. as well as a major scripted push with titles including Intergalactic from the team behind Peaky Blinders.
Motion Content Group is a complex business; it works with production companies and broadcasters...
- 4/16/2019
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: UK broadcaster Channel 5 is bringing back The Bachelor for a second date. The Viacom-owned network broke up with the Warner Bros-owned dating format in 2012 after two seasons but is rekindling its romance as it looks to find a competitor for ITV2’s Love Island.
Deadline understands that Warner Bros-owned Ricochet is producing the revamped entertainment to air next year. The ten-part series will start filming in South Africa in the autumn.
The show revolves around a single eligible bachelor and a pool of romantic interest. There are a number of conflicts in the elimination series, which sees the bachelor go on large group dates as well as one-on-one dates and two-on-one dates. Finally, the bachelor goes on a series of home-town visits to meet the families of the final four women followed by overnight dates in exotic locations before whittling it down to one winner.
The...
Deadline understands that Warner Bros-owned Ricochet is producing the revamped entertainment to air next year. The ten-part series will start filming in South Africa in the autumn.
The show revolves around a single eligible bachelor and a pool of romantic interest. There are a number of conflicts in the elimination series, which sees the bachelor go on large group dates as well as one-on-one dates and two-on-one dates. Finally, the bachelor goes on a series of home-town visits to meet the families of the final four women followed by overnight dates in exotic locations before whittling it down to one winner.
The...
- 8/31/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Channel 5 has announced the departure of two heads of departments in a shake-up of its factual, news, sport and current affairs broadcasting.
Head of factual, news and current affairs Andrew O'Connell and head of factual entertainment and sport Steve Gowans will be leaving the broadcaster "following discussion and a mutual agreement".
"Their roles will not be replaced," Channel 5 confirmed.
"We'd like to thank them both for many years of hard work and dedication and we wish them the very best for the future."
Channel 5's programming team will now report directly to its director of programmes Ben Frow.
Recruitment has begun for the new positions of commissioning editor and factual acquisitions executive, who will be added to Frow's team.
nm2436627 autoRichard Desmond[/link]'s Northern & Shell purchased Channel 5 for £103.5 million from Rtl in 2010 and the station has since undergone several changes in structure, personnel and strategy.
The channel rebranded from Five...
Head of factual, news and current affairs Andrew O'Connell and head of factual entertainment and sport Steve Gowans will be leaving the broadcaster "following discussion and a mutual agreement".
"Their roles will not be replaced," Channel 5 confirmed.
"We'd like to thank them both for many years of hard work and dedication and we wish them the very best for the future."
Channel 5's programming team will now report directly to its director of programmes Ben Frow.
Recruitment has begun for the new positions of commissioning editor and factual acquisitions executive, who will be added to Frow's team.
nm2436627 autoRichard Desmond[/link]'s Northern & Shell purchased Channel 5 for £103.5 million from Rtl in 2010 and the station has since undergone several changes in structure, personnel and strategy.
The channel rebranded from Five...
- 3/13/2013
- Digital Spy
Channel 5 have announced that they have signed a two year deal with Big Brother maker Endemol and insiders say that when the reality TV show returns this summer, it will have a “playfulness and decadence” theme.
The series will return in August with a three week celebrity version and will be broadcast from the same Elstree TV studio used in the recent Channel 4 runs.
Richard Desmond recently bought Channel 5. He also owns Ok, new!, The Daily Star and The Daily Express. The latter has some details on what we can expect from the 2011 series.
They report that though it will be the same house, it will be given a “dramatic” makeover in the coming months. Insiders told the publication that the house will include a public telephone for late night sexy phone calls and that Big Brother will order “regular champagne parties, games and tasks” to keep his new housemates amused.
The series will return in August with a three week celebrity version and will be broadcast from the same Elstree TV studio used in the recent Channel 4 runs.
Richard Desmond recently bought Channel 5. He also owns Ok, new!, The Daily Star and The Daily Express. The latter has some details on what we can expect from the 2011 series.
They report that though it will be the same house, it will be given a “dramatic” makeover in the coming months. Insiders told the publication that the house will include a public telephone for late night sexy phone calls and that Big Brother will order “regular champagne parties, games and tasks” to keep his new housemates amused.
- 4/6/2011
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Channel Five boss Richard Desmond is said to have clashed so badly with Endemol chiefs over bringing back reality TV show Big Brother, that the air date of the new series has been pushed back from June to August.
The Guardian reports that both parties had hoped to announce the return of the popular format this week, but a break down in talks and a series of legal wranglings have led to a delay, which will now mean that if it does go ahead, the show will not launch on Five until August at the earliest.
The newspaper reports that Desmond is planning an initial three week run of Celebrity Big Brother at the end of the summer, followed by a full length normal series which will run through September, October and November.
However one fact has been confirmed. Contrary to yesterday’s Daily Star report, Cheryl Cole will Not...
The Guardian reports that both parties had hoped to announce the return of the popular format this week, but a break down in talks and a series of legal wranglings have led to a delay, which will now mean that if it does go ahead, the show will not launch on Five until August at the earliest.
The newspaper reports that Desmond is planning an initial three week run of Celebrity Big Brother at the end of the summer, followed by a full length normal series which will run through September, October and November.
However one fact has been confirmed. Contrary to yesterday’s Daily Star report, Cheryl Cole will Not...
- 4/1/2011
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
View the original post Channel Five “weeks away” from closing Big Brother deal! on Unreality TV
Broadcast magazine have reported today that talks between Channel Five executives and Endelmol UK have progressed so far that a deal for airing Big Brother is just “weeks away.”
Big Brother has of course traditionally been aired on Channel 4, but 2010 saw the end of the show on that channel.
Since then, it’s understood that Richard Desmond, the owner of Five, has been negotiating a deal to reprise the show on Channel Five.
However, talks reportedly broke down in September after Desmond apparently refused to match the £70 million Channel 4 paid for a 3-year contract with Endemol back in 2006.
But Broadcast now reports that negotiations have reopened and the new deal could be for five years.
Desmond is also rumoured to be interested in re-launching Celebrity Big Brother as well as extending the...
Broadcast magazine have reported today that talks between Channel Five executives and Endelmol UK have progressed so far that a deal for airing Big Brother is just “weeks away.”
Big Brother has of course traditionally been aired on Channel 4, but 2010 saw the end of the show on that channel.
Since then, it’s understood that Richard Desmond, the owner of Five, has been negotiating a deal to reprise the show on Channel Five.
However, talks reportedly broke down in September after Desmond apparently refused to match the £70 million Channel 4 paid for a 3-year contract with Endemol back in 2006.
But Broadcast now reports that negotiations have reopened and the new deal could be for five years.
Desmond is also rumoured to be interested in re-launching Celebrity Big Brother as well as extending the...
- 1/30/2011
- by Sarah
- Unreality
Cologne, Germany -- Bertelsmann, Europe's largest media group, is forecasting profits of more than €500 million ($634 million) this year, a result of having shaken off the financial albatross of money-losing Brit network Five and an advertising bounce back in its core markets.
Bertelsmann, which controls around 91% of leading Euro broadcaster Rtl Group, booked net profits of €246 million ($312 million) in the first half of this year, compared to a €333 million loss over the same period in 2009. Revenue was up at €7.36 billion ($9.3 billion) against €7.08 billion.
Rtl had a bumper first half, with net profits of €308 million ($391 million). Stronger ad revenues -- particularly in Germany, France and the Netherlands -- contributed to the jump. A further balance sheet boost came in July when Rtl sold cash-burner Five to British publisher Richard Desmond for €124 million ($160 million).
A broad ad recovery lifted magazine division G+J, which more than doubled first half operating profits to €130 million...
Bertelsmann, which controls around 91% of leading Euro broadcaster Rtl Group, booked net profits of €246 million ($312 million) in the first half of this year, compared to a €333 million loss over the same period in 2009. Revenue was up at €7.36 billion ($9.3 billion) against €7.08 billion.
Rtl had a bumper first half, with net profits of €308 million ($391 million). Stronger ad revenues -- particularly in Germany, France and the Netherlands -- contributed to the jump. A further balance sheet boost came in July when Rtl sold cash-burner Five to British publisher Richard Desmond for €124 million ($160 million).
A broad ad recovery lifted magazine division G+J, which more than doubled first half operating profits to €130 million...
- 8/31/2010
- by By Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London -- It would be a marriage made in television heaven. But before nm2436627 autoRichard Desmond[/link]'s Channel Five and Endemol's "Big Brother" can announce their happy nuptials, there is the small matter of a high-stakes negotiation to play out between two of the U.K.'s toughest media power brokers.
After buying Channel Five last month for £103 million ($162.4 million), the aggressively expansionist publishing mogul Desmond has made no secret of his desire to secure shows like "Brother" and the far less available "X Factor" to rev up Five. The money-losing channel has seen its audience share slide to 6.1% during the past year.
"Brother's" run on Channel 4 will end next month after 11 seasons as that channel returns to its public-service roots.
Without a doubt, a deal to sign up the Endemol-produced show would be transformative for both sides. Although Channel 5 has a slew of high profile drama and factual shows,...
After buying Channel Five last month for £103 million ($162.4 million), the aggressively expansionist publishing mogul Desmond has made no secret of his desire to secure shows like "Brother" and the far less available "X Factor" to rev up Five. The money-losing channel has seen its audience share slide to 6.1% during the past year.
"Brother's" run on Channel 4 will end next month after 11 seasons as that channel returns to its public-service roots.
Without a doubt, a deal to sign up the Endemol-produced show would be transformative for both sides. Although Channel 5 has a slew of high profile drama and factual shows,...
- 8/25/2010
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
We bring you all the top TV stories in our daily news round up. Thursday's top stories: Five boss nm2436627 autoRichard Desmond[/link] cuts jobs in a major shake up and EastEnders' production crew goes on strike. Shake-up At Five Digital Spy New chief Richard Desmond has revealed plans to return Five to the Channel 5 branding that the station used for its launch in 1997.
- 8/12/2010
- Sky TV
London -- Well, it didn't take long for Channel Five's new owner Richard Desmond to stamp his authority on the channel he bought from Rtl last month.
In characteristic style the media mogul has ripped out the existing Five management team, firing seven of nine executive directors and announcing as many as 80 job cuts, a quarter of the total employee base.
Desmond said the moves were part of "long-term financial input in the field of £300 million ($471.3 million) per year for the next five years is planned by Northern & Shell," the mogul's media vehicle which also owns the Express newspapers and celebrity magazine brand Ok.
Chairman and chief executive Dawn Airey, program head Richard Woolfe and managing director Mark White are just some of the execs to depart terrestrial network Five in a management cull. Airey will return to an as-yet undisclosed role at Rtl.
But head of acquisitions Jeff Ford...
In characteristic style the media mogul has ripped out the existing Five management team, firing seven of nine executive directors and announcing as many as 80 job cuts, a quarter of the total employee base.
Desmond said the moves were part of "long-term financial input in the field of £300 million ($471.3 million) per year for the next five years is planned by Northern & Shell," the mogul's media vehicle which also owns the Express newspapers and celebrity magazine brand Ok.
Chairman and chief executive Dawn Airey, program head Richard Woolfe and managing director Mark White are just some of the execs to depart terrestrial network Five in a management cull. Airey will return to an as-yet undisclosed role at Rtl.
But head of acquisitions Jeff Ford...
- 8/11/2010
- by By Mimi Turner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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