Fox is on the warpath to assemble more international format credentials, it would appear. With the announcement last week of a new fund worth $100M to secure their next generation of unscripted formats for the global market, it’s clear they mean business. We asked entertainment lawyer and well-known entertainment business figure, Brandon Blake, for further details.
Brandon Blake– Managing Partner at Blake & Wang P.A
It will be administered through their unscripted production arm, Fox Alternative Entertainment, with the funds directed to securing new IP for their international assets and co-producing relevant properties. FAE is a relatively new addition to the Fox stable, and was the driver behind The Big Deal. This competition series, co-produced by FAE and made specifically for Ireland’s Virgin Media Television, is Fox’s first international creation and has performed on a level with its peers to date, suggesting there’s fertile ground to bolster their ambitious plans.
The fund will be under the control of Rob Wade, the current President of Alternative Entertainment and Specials at Fox. The idea behind it’s creation is that it’s more-or-less identical budget-wise to fund and own an unscripted format as it is to produce a pilot, and there’s better data to be gleaned (and better control of the property) taking that route.
With these new formats identified and curated, they can access a more diverse content library, as well as creating properties with international appeal as streamers begin to fight over international market saturation. The fund is primarily aimed towards variety series, dating shows, and other non-scripted shows. The eventual idea is to bring some of these internationally-orientated projects home to the U.S, too, with the hopes they will have an Idols- like appeal and success on the home front.
As the streaming arena (and precious market share) becomes more globalized, it’s a strategy that could stand them in good stead. We will be watching with interest.
Film and Television 