Time Inc. UK sets sight on TV production to steer future growth
Time Inc. UK has launched an in-house TV production arm that will see it create quality factual programming for major UK broadcasters.
Time Inc. UK's plethora of brands
The launch comes as publishers are reversing the digital trend by eyeing linear channels to reach audiences at scale, while pulling away from an over-reliance on third party platforms.
The foray into TV production comes as part of the publisher's strategy to build out its journalism in various platforms, following in the footsteps of Vice Media’s similar move to enter the world of cable with new TV channel Viceland.
The business has appointed director and executive producer Miki Mistrati and development executive and series producer Lauren Abery to spear head the division, and oversee the development of ideas, liaison with broadcasters, and production and delivery of factual programming, documentaries, features, formats and series.
The publisher sees it as a way to make use of its existing talent and expertise, which includes over 500 staff across 50 brands, to create programming that has the “detail and depth” to cut through in the factual market, said development executive Abery.
“They get the best access and come across the most interesting stories and we want to take the best (and most TV-friendly) of that primary journalism and craft it for TV audiences,” Abery added.
Since it will be selling the programmes to broadcasters, the production unit also opens up a new revenue stream for the publisher outside of subscription revenues, which despite having some of the strongest performing brands in the magazine sector, has seen subscriptions slide as print declines shake the industry.
Time Inc. UK is hoping to work with all the main UK broadcasters, and will target specific broadcasters depending on the content that suits their commissioners.
Mick Greenwood, director of video & TV, Time Inc. UK, added: “This is a very exciting move for the business and a great example of us using our traditional strengths to expand into new areas. We have such a colourful, diverse portfolio of brands that there are undoubtedly some fantastic stories to be uncovered and brought to life on TV screens. We look forward to working with broadcasters to make this happen."