Global studio Fremantle is launching a dedicated sports division called Fremantle Sport that will have one foot in the digital-first camp. Designed to “significantly expand” Fremantle’s current sports offering, the new division will focus on creating “non-scripted and factual documentaries, as well as new digital formats”.
Fremantle is already well established in sports content through projects like 72 Films’ All Or Nothing for Amazon; Fremantle Australia’s Matildas: The Word At Our Feet for Disney+; Wildside’s My Name Is Francesco Totti for Sky and Monster Films’ Dirty Sports: The Biathlon Scandal for TV2 Norway. The new business unit will focus on supporting Fremantle labels in the creation of entertainment, scripted and factual content based on sports IP, talent and stories. A key ambition is to “explore the development of new cross-platform sports formats for global distribution”.
Owain Walbyoff will be director of sports at Fremantle. He will lead and develop the Fremantle Sports strategy in expanding the company’s global sports content offering, through partnerships with rights holders, brands, first look and co-production deals.
Fremantle global 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.”
