Bell Media inks licensing, distribution deal with Fox

The agreement will see Fox Entertainment Global distribute original Canadian programs commissioned by CTV and Crave, with Neshama Entertainment to produce the initial slate.
By Kelly Townsend
October 27, 2023

Bell Media has struck a licensing and distribution deal with Fox Entertainment Global to support the production of original Canadian content for CTV and Crave in Canada and Fox in the U.S.

The agreement covers English-language scripted comedies and dramas, as well as unscripted competition shows and docuseries. Toronto-based Neshama Entertainment, which was formed in 2018 in partnership with Fox subsidiary MarVista Entertainment, is slated to produce the initial projects, according to a news release.

Either CTV or Crave will be the commissioning broadcaster for any series produced under the deal, with Fox Entertainment Global handling distribution.

Fox formed a distribution deal with Neshama earlier this year when the prodco launched its distribution division Neshama Releasing, led by Brook Peters.

“Working alongside our production partners we look forward to continuing to expand our original content offering, working with Canadian creators and filming in this country, with guaranteed international exposure on Fox and beyond,” said Justin Stockman, VP, content development and programming at Bell Media, in a statement.

Elsewhere at Bell Media, the company announced this week its ratings wins for fall, with CTV taking the top spot in the national TV rankings, with the highest regional audience for the third week in a row, according to Numeris.

According to Bell Media via Numeris, CTV was the most-watched network by 25-54 year-olds between September 18 and October 8, with a 79% lead over the other regional networks. Top returning series include The Masked Singer, The Amazing Race, Magnum P.I. and NFL programming and high-performing new series include Snake Oil, Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test and reality/game show original The Traitors Canada.

The medico also reported that CTV.ca and the CTV app have experienced a 14% growth in the three weeks of the fall season, according to Numeris.

With files from Andrea Hernandez / Image via Bell Media (Fall TV programs clockwise from top: Kitchen Nightmares, Snake Oil, Special Forces, Traitors)