The television division of Chernin Entertainment is moving to NBCUniversal for an innovative new two-year overall deal with NBC Entertainment and Universal Television. The announcement was made by NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt and Peter Chernin, Chairman, Chernin Entertainment.
The deal is designed to provide flexibility for Chernin Television by both providing alignment with Universal Television and its roster of writers and producers, plus the option of producing independently for cable and other streaming platforms.
In conjunction with the deal, Chernin Entertainment has elevated Jenno Topping to the role of President of Film and Television, where she will now oversee television as well as film for the company. Plans also call for a head of television development and production to be named shortly.
"Peter Chernin is, without a doubt, one of the most forward-thinking and successful producers and executives in the media business today," said Greenblatt. "He's an innovator and strategist, but at the same time he loves entertaining broad audiences on a big scale with great storytelling. I can't think of anyone better to help us aggressively expand our television business and build hits for all platforms through Universal Television. He's also been a close friend and mentor for many years and I'm personally very happy to welcome his company to the fold," said Greenblatt.
Stated Chernin: "This marks the fourth time that Bob and I have worked together. Over that time, I can't think of a more talented, creative and visionary executive, so I'm particularly excited to establish a studio presence at NBCU alongside his talented leadership and his industry-leading creative team. This one-of-a-kind deal provides us with the ability to develop great programing while maintaining the autonomy and flexibility we need to continue to be successful in this new era of television."
Jennifer Salke, President of
NBC Entertainment and head of Universal Television, added: "I grew up as an executive at News Corp. under Peter's tenure when the company was transformed into a worldwide powerhouse and I know first-hand his mastery of both the big picture and the smallest detail. On behalf of myself and Bela Bajaria, President of Universal Television, we look forward to working with him and Jenno Topping to create distinctive new television series."
Chernin Entertainment's film division has produced a number of highly successful films including the worldwide blockbuster films "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" and its sequel "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," which together brought in more than $1.1 billion in box office sales globally. Chernin Entertainment also produced action comedy "The Heat," sci-fi thriller "Oblivion," "St. Vincent" starring Bill Murray, crime drama "The Drop" and "Spy," the Paul Feig-directed comedy starring Melissa McCarthy. The company is currently in production on Tim Burton's "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" and comedy "Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates," both slated to be released in 2016; and is in pre-production on the third installment of the "Planet of the Apes" franchise.
Chernin Entertainment's television division produces the hit Emmy Award-nominated comedy "New Girl" for FOX, which was renewed for a fifth season. In August 2014, the series' basic cable syndication rights were sold to
TBS and MTV, while
Netflix holds the exclusive U.S. streaming rights to the series. Since 2011, Chernin Entertainment has developed series for prime-time schedules, launching the Tim Kring-created sci-fi series "Touch," starring Keifer Sutherland for FOX; the
FOX comedy "Ben and Kate," starring Dakota Johnson and Nat Faxon; and the A&E crime drama "Breakout Kings."
About NBCU
NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBCUniversal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment television networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corp.
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