BBC Worldwide's Indie Unit has today announced a development deal with independent producer Monkey, creator of hit comedy series Swinging.

 

In the deal, BBC Worldwide acquire the right to distribute all Monkey's new comedy programmes.

 

Matt Forde, Head of Commercial Development at BBC Worldwide's Indie Unit said: "This is a key deal for the Indie Unit in line with our strategy to work alongside the very best Comedy producers in the UK. Monkey have an extremely talented team of producers and writers creating the kind of fun and irreverent product we believe has strong commercial appeal and we are thrilled to be working closely with them on their current slate."

 

David Granger, Head of Television at Monkey added: "We've really enjoyed working with the Indie Unit on the distribution of the first series of Swinging. We've found them excellent partners and we're looking forward to growing our comedy output alongside them."

 

Monkey is one of the UK's most exciting television companies. BBC Worldwide already represents Monkey's Swinging, the six-part comedy sketch show for Five that celebrates Britain's unique attitude to relationships and sex, for "anyone who's ever had sex, seen sex, heard about sex or thought about sex".

 

Since the beginning of 2001, the independent producer has been making programmes as diverse as Make My Day, Swag, Grand Slam and The House of Obsessive Compulsives.

 

Their new comedy Ed vs Spencer is soon to start on BBC America.

 

This marks the second development deal of 2006 for the Indie Unit, following a partnership announcement in January 2006, between BBC Worldwide and Seven Stones Media, which gave BBC's commercial operation first option to distribute all Seven Stone's future programmes in the UK and overseas.

 

BBC Worldwide Indie Unit will be at MIPTV, located at stand no.G3.40

 

 

Note to Editors:

About the Indie Unit

BBC Worldwide's Indie Unit was launched five years ago, and is charged with the specific task of building partnerships with the UK's dynamic Indie production sector. The Unit currently has strong day-to-day relationships with more than 40 of the UK's top Independent production companies. The Indie Unit is a one-stop shop for Indies and provides a link with the full range of BBC Worldwide businesses.

 

About Monkey

Monkey was founded five years ago by a team including David Granger and Will Macdonald, formerly of Ginger Television. Monkey has grown steadily in scale and scope, becoming a major supplier of entertainment, factual and factual entertainment, particularly to Channel 4 and five.

 

Swinging, which went out on Five from September 2005 was Monkey's first foray into scripted comedy. A second series is currently in production. 2005 also saw Monkey's first US primetime production, My Kind of Town, for ABC.

 

 

BBC WORLDWIDE