02.12.2024 – 18:03

LEONINE Studios

JENNY DALY’S CRITICAL CONTENT SIGNS FIRST LOOK DEAL WITH GERMANY’S LEONINE STUDIOS

Munich, December 2, 2024 - To continue to grow its international presence, Critical Content (an SK Global company), today announced a first-look deal with leading German media company LEONINE Studios, part of the Mediawan Group. The partnership aims to enhance the global reach and impact of Critical Content’s innovative formats while providing LEONINE Studios with exclusive first look opportunities to select formats that have the potential to resonate with German speaking audiences.

LEONINE Studios’ non-fiction production companies like SEO Entertainment, are known for adapting hit formats like Jimmy Fallon’s THAT’S MY JAM, which won a German Television Award, and the Belgian sensation DOWN THE ROAD, which received nominations for a Grimme Award and a German Entertainment Award. Other notable entertainment production banners under LEONINE Studios include i&u TV, producers of the hugely popular primetime show SMALL VS. TALL, and Madame Zheng Production, which recently optioned format rights to the sports competition series HIT THE MIC from Mediawan as well as the factual entertainment hit-format THE A TALKS, commissioned in more than 14 countries to date.

Stéfanie Gelinas, EVP of Global Formats & Development, will help oversee this new venture.

The partnership is the latest to follow deals made with Australia’s Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia, Korea’s Something Special, Singapore’s Refinery Media, Dubai’s Blue Engine Studios, Belgium’s Be-Entertainment and France’s ITV France. With a reputation for recognizable formats like the long-running hits CATFISH and THE GREAT FOOD TRUCK RACE, CELEBRITY GAME FACE with Kevin Hart and Emmy® winner INSTANT DREAM HOME, Critical Content will tap into these respective markets, introducing exciting new formats to engage viewers worldwide.

Jenny Daly said: “LEONINE is a supreme content creator with multiple productions companies, a hugely successful distribution division and a premium licensing strand. We look forward to tapping into their well of incredible talent and working together to bring new formats to life.”

Jochen Köstler, EVP Non-Fiction at LEONINE Studios, added, “Critical Content is renowned for its innovative approach and successful developments. This deal will not only broaden our positioning but also provide exclusive access to exciting IP, aligning with our key strategic goals. Our non-fiction production companies will have the opportunity to adapt ideas that resonate with the German market, leveraging the award-winning talent within our group.”

Nina Etspüler, Head of Development at LEONINE Studios and Managing Director of Madame Zheng Production, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “The deal with Critical Content is key to our ambition to deliver a roster of innovative ideas to linear channels and streaming platforms in Germany. A diverse pool of ideas is essential as we strive to surprise and engage our audience.”

The news follows a busy year for Critical Content. In addition to launching their international initiative, the company also had several premieres such as SLY (Netflix) and DEADLY WATERS WITH CAPTAIN LEE (Oxygen) and is currently across several unannounced formats with leading talent and brands like Chrissy Teigen, Marlon Wayans, Tom Brady and The Points Guy.

ABOUT CRITICAL CONTENT

An SK Global company, Critical Content is led by President and leading content creator, entrepreneur, and producer Jenny Daly. Under Daly’s leadership, the company dominates in nonfiction across multiple genres, including E!’s Kevin Hart-hosted CELEBRITY GAME FACE, a top-rated performer for the network; Netflix’s Slyvester Stallone premium documentary SLY; MTV’s legacy series CATFISH, now more than 300 episodes strong; Reese Witherspoon and Emily Sims’ GET ORGANIZED WITH THE HOME EDIT for Netflix; 16 seasons of Food Network’s THE GREAT FOOD TRUCK RACE; and the multiple Emmy®-nominated and winner Netflix home series INSTANT DREAM HOME. Marking TV One’s first relationship programming block, Daly and her team delivered ASKING FOR A FRIEND AND THE ONE, a competition dating series hosted by Kirk and Tammy Franklin. In the scripted space, Critical Content launched Season 2 of Netflix’s Emmy®-nominated comedy-drama series GINNY & GEORGIA, which peaked at #1 on the service. The production company is also across several unannounced formats with leading talent and brands such as Chrissy Teigen, Marlon Wayans, Tom Brady and The Points Guy.

ABOUT LEONINE STUDIOS

LEONINE Studios is Germany’s leading independent media company – the one stop shop for premium content. We partner with outstanding talent to create content that inspires audiences around the world.

Together, the LEONINE Studios companies produce, co-produce, distribute and license premium content – covering the entire value chain of the content business. We produce films, series and content for social media – from entertainment to infotainment, fiction and non-fiction.

LEONINE Studios’ production companies are led by award-winning producers and creative partners – including the premium production brands beetz brothers film production | hyperbole | i&u TV | Madame Zheng Production | Odeon Fiction | SEO Entertainment | W&B Television | Wiedemann & Berg Film | Toon2Tango.

LEONINE Studios distribution and licensing brings content to theaters, home entertainment, television and streaming networks, and social media channels. Our market-leading license library includes programs in all formats and genres.

LEONINE Studios is part of the Mediawan Group. www.leoninestudios.com

Press contact:

LEONINE Studios

Henriette Gutmann, SVP Corporate Communication & Sales Marketing

Phone +49 89 999 513 - 0

communication@leoninestudios.com

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