Fremantle Takes 25 Percent Stake in New U.K. Producer Naked Entertainment

Launched by former Fox executive Simon Andreae, the firm wants to be "provocative and risk-taking."

TV giant FremantleMedia, part of European TV giant RTL Group, has added to its factual firepower. 

The company announced on Thursday that it was taking a 25 percent stake in Naked Entertainment, the newly formed production banner from former Fox executive Simon Andreae. Financial details weren't revealed.

Based in London, Naked will develop "original entertainment, factual and factual entertainment formats, with series and one-off specials," according to the announcement.

Andreae, formerly head of science and education at U.K. broadcaster Channel 4, was most recently exec vp of alternative entertainment for Fox, overseeing unscripted series and specials, such as MasterChef, Hell's Kitchen and So You Think You Can Dance. Prior to this position, he was senior vp for development and production at Discovery, helping launch shows including Naked and Afraid and Fast N Loud. He stepped down from Fox in January, returning to the U.K.

Fremantle CEO Cecile Frot-Coutaz described Andreae as "one of the industry's preeminent factual entertainment producers with a long history of delivering hits with global appeal," adding that he "already had a strong development slate."

"Naked, as the name suggests, aims to be provocative and risk-taking — but also kind of simple and straightforward — producing content designed to attract, surprise, and I hope delight audiences both in the U.K. and overseas,” added Andreae.

The Naked investment becomes Fremantle's third deal in under a month. Last week, it bought amajority stake in French production company Fontaram, while in August it picked up Italy's Wildside, which is producing the upcoming Jude Law-starring drama The Young Pope.

Source: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/fremantle-ta...