BBC Studios, Mercury Studios development deal
December 17, 2021
BBC Studios, the BBC’s main commercial subsidiary and Mercury Studios, the multi-faceted content studio powered by Universal Music Group (UMG), have struck a development deal, which will see the two creative organisations work together to originate a pipeline of music-driven returnable IP for domestic and international audiences.
The arrangement combines Mercury Studios’ expertise in music-rooted storytelling and production with BBC Studios Documentary Unit’s unrivalled reputation for creating ambitious cross-genre programmes that generate both critical and popular success. Teams from both parties will work in partnership to develop IP, including formats, series and feature documentaries. Subjects will be treated under four main categories: social history; social purpose; specialist factual; and factual entertainment and will have music or music talent at their heart.
Alice Webb, CEO at Mercury Studios, said: “When you combine two powerhouses – the global reach and musical heritage of BBC Studios with the capabilities and insight of Mercury Studios, it makes for a very formidable partnership. Collaborating with BBC Studios opens the door for both sides to look beyond the usual artist-focussed documentaries and use music as a lens to create innovative content.”
Alan Holland, Head of Documentary Unit at BBC Studios Production, added: “This partnership has the potential to deliver something incredibly special for documentary lovers and music fans alike. The sheer breadth of the BBC Studios Docs Unit’s genre expertise and our skills in filmmaking means we can tell stories from a fresh perspective and in a range of new and unexpected forms.”
Mercury Studios and BBC Studios will handle distribution of projects on a case by case basis.