Fremantle has launched a sports hub and signed Banijay’s ex-commercial boss to run it.
Owain Walbyoff will lead Fremantle Sports, which will focus on unscripted and factual documentaries, along with new digital formats about sport.
Walbyoff’s London-based hub will look to team with rightsholders and brands, and strike first look and co-production deals. He is the only employee working solely on Fremantle Sports and the new unit will not be pushing into live sports but rather sports shows. Walbyoff left Fremantle rival Banijay, which has also been pushing into sports and live events, last year after three-and-a-half years as Chief Commercial Officer.
Fremantle cited examples of sports content it already produces such as 72 Films’ All Or Nothing for Prime Video, Wildside’s My Name is Francesco Totti for Sky and Fremantle Australia’s Matildas: The World At Our Feet for Disney+.
Fremantle said the new global sports entertainment unit was spearheaded by Amelia Brown, CEO Fremantle UK; Gabriella Carriere, Group Head of Strategy; Georgette Schlick, CEO Fremantle Northern Europe; Jeff Hasler, President Original Productions; and Mark Reynolds, Global Head of Documentaries and Factual.
Fremantle CEO Jennifer Mullin said: “Expanding our sports capabilities is an exciting next step in our growth strategy, following the successful blueprint that has delivered continued growth across our Drama & Film and Documentaries pillars. We look forward to providing global audiences with compelling sports storytelling and sports formats that engage the passions and desires of fans around the world.”
