STV rebrand ‘statement of intent’ about future growth

● Productions arm rebranded as STV Studios ● Strong pipeline of unscripted and drama work

STV has rebranded its productions business in a “statement of intent” about the Glasgowbased broadcaster’s future.

The name change from STV Productions to STV Studios reflects the growing portfolio of businesses which now make up the production division.

The group said its production teams have “worked tirelessly” to support the recovery of the sector during the coronavirus pandemic and consequent lockdown.

Celebrity Catchphrase was the first big entertainment show in the UK to go back into production as lockdown measures were eased, with the team successfully filming ten episodes at Maidstone last month, and all other Stv-produced programmes are now back filming.

Thefactualteamsecuredand produced a series for Channel 5 during lockdown, The Palace and the Press. Meanwhile, the drama team last month celebrated Bafta nominations for the critically acclaimed The Victim and Elizabeth is Missing, with leading actress Glenda Jackson celebrating a win for her performance in Elizabeth is Missing.

Overall, the newly rebranded STV Studios creative pipeline is said to be in a “very strong position”. Across three drama labels, the firm has 68 projects in development, of which 35 are in funded development and 39 are at script development stage.

Across the unscripted businesses there are some 75 projects in development, with a “large number” in advanced discussions with commissioners.

STV Studios, which has bases in Glasgow, London and Northern Ireland, has interests in three other production companies at present, including a majority stake in unscripted producer Primal Media.

In January, STV acquired a minority stake in drama producer Two Cities, the company behind critically acclaimed Patrick Melrose, commissioned by Sky Atlantic and Showtime, and starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

The studios arm also has an exclusivedealwithdramaproducer Elaine Collins and her company, Tod Productions, to develop and co-produce a slate of “distinctive, high quality TV drama projects”.

David Mortimer, managing director of STV Studios, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the resilience and innovation shown by our production teams these past months and am delighted that all of STV’S shows are now back in production under strict safety protocols.

“This is a hugely exciting time for us and our rebrand to STV Studios more accurately reflects the kind of business we’ve evolved into and our ambition for the future. Alongside our own brilliant entertainment, drama and factual teams we’re growing our portfolio of partners.”