STV Studios has divested its minority investments in three labels as part of a shake-up of its 20+ label indie roster.
According to a report in Broadcast, the production arm of STV Group has withdrawn from Barefaced TV, producer of dock10-shot astrological dating yarn Zodiac Island; musical dating show Romeo and Duet maker, Goat Films, and non-fiction specialist and Painting the Johnsons producer Riverdog Productions. The departures follow STV Studios’ exit from Teachers on Tour and Channel 4 doc Undercover: Sexual Harassment’s Kalel Productions last year.
All of the companies are understood to have split amicably and will continue to produce as independent labels. Kalel Productions recently appointed Kieran McCarthy, former director of development at A Life in the Sun’s True North Productions to the role of creative director of development.
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At the same time, STV Studios has increased its stakes in five other outfits – River Hunters producer and factual and kids specialist Hello Halo; Lego Masters and The Fortune Hotel maker Tuesday’s Child; Social Media Murders and Police 999 label Crackit; Rumpus, the unscripted comedy specialist behind shows like Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back and The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan, and Blue Lights’ home Two Cities.
STV is understand to have upped its stake to a majority interest in all five during the shake up, most recently Rumpus in March.
The latest moves follow STV Studios’ acquisition of incubator Greenbird for £21.5m in July 2023, which saw STV Studios more than double its umbrella of labels from nine to 24 and initially led to a review of its portfolio.
The group now comprises 21 labels, with the addition of Tuesday’s Child’s new format-focused sub-label Curious Cat which launched in October last year under former Tuesday’s Child head of development James Donkin.
STV Studios said that it will continue to review its make-up and label roster regularly.
Image: Oti Mabusi in Romeo and Duet
