Veteran media executives Jeff Bewkes, Howard Stringer and Jeremy Fox have launched a new content company with podcasts as part of their plans. It plans to focus on “high promotable dramas based on real events.” Thoroughbred Studios launches having already inked podcast development deals with iHeartPodcasts and the BBC.
“The key is quality. High-end drama with international potential is the goal,” the U.K.-based company says. It boasts that it has access to the best and most productive writers in the US, UK and Australia, all with a proven track record. “The principals behind Thoroughbred have extensive program-making experience along with global relationships and are therefore well-placed to execute the concept,” the trio boast on Thoroughbred’s website.
Bewkes, who previously was Chairman/CEO of Time Warner, will serve as Chairman of Thoroughbred Studios. Fox, who has been an executive at British television companies, will take on the CEO role at Thoroughbred. And Stringer, who was President/CEO of Sony Corp., will serve as Executive Producer.
Among the shows in development is a podcast titled Buzz. Executive produced by Fox and Stringer for iHeartPodcasts, the series will present the story of astronaut Buzz Aldrin, including the little told stories of his stays in mental hospitals, the repeated bouts of alcoholism, and the serial philandering. Thoroughbred says the podcast will be a “roller-coaster ride of emotions as we witness one of the greatest achievements of mankind alongside the tortured person who achieved it.” No release has been announced.
Thoroughbred’s deal with iHeartPodcasts is said to be for a minimum of four podcasts over the next two years. “Partnering with the right people is key when developing captivating new storylines,” said Will Pearson, President of iHeartPodcasts in a statement to Deadline. “We’re thrilled to have the deep media expertise and proven creative success that Jeff, Sir Howard and Jeremy bring to Thoroughbred Studios and this amazing show slate. iHeartPodcasts is committed to telling the kinds of stories that resonate with listeners and push beyond our perceptions of what we think we know — this partnership will do just that.”
Thoroughbred’s first release will be a series called Central Intelligence. Executive produced by Stringer and Fox, the podcast is a dramatic audio retelling of the early days of the CIA. Produced for the BBC, it stars actors Kim Cattrall, Ed Harris and Johnny Flyn. It is set for a September release.
Thoroughbred Studio also has a podcast in development about the Vietnam War titled Saigon, and a series about the first-ever nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, told from both the American and Japanese perspectives.
Thoroughbred will retain the TV adaptation rights, and Fox told Deadline they see audio as a way to develop content for screen. “I would like to think that within two years, we will have made the four audio series for iHeart, we will have made two or three seasons of the CIA project for the BBC, and maybe one of these has found its way back into TV,” he said.
As part of its arrangement with iHeart, any audio series produced by Thoroughbred Studios will be distributed in the U.S. by iHeartPodcasts.
Comments