DCD Media Launches Factual Division

A UK independent production and distribution group, DCD Media, has announced the formation of a new production division, DCD Factual, alongside news of a major new BBC series commission.
DCD Factual will bring a distinct focus to DCD Media's already formidable presence in the factual genre which includes established producers Prospect Pictures, Prospect Wales; West Park Pictures and West Park West. These companies will continue to operate as individual brands with their unique style and output - but under the new DCD Factual umbrella.
David Green, DCD Media's Chief Executive Officer, has appointed senior television executive Charles Thompson as Creative Director to oversee DCD Factual and its four companies to which Green plans to add further acquisitions and start-ups.
Charles Thompson is currently Chairman of Steadfast Television Ltd, and will continue to chair Steadfast on a non-executive basis, while discussions continue with the Content Ventures owned company about bringing it under new ownership within the DCD Factual division.
Charles Thompson said: "Steadfast remains open for business with its ongoing productions, Brit Cops, Timothy Spall, Somewhere at Sea, and Salvage Code Red, continuing, however, my new role enables us to see how we can bring Steadfast under the roof of DCD Factual and to new ownership.
"The existing companies under DCD Factual are great brands and I look forward to helping them work together to achieve even more programming," he added.
The new DCD Factual structure is designed to take advantage of the synergies and economies of owning a number of successful production brands by consolidating the production management and back office functions into a centralised DCD Factual operating unit, to increase profitability. Green believes the strategy will also help accelerate international expansion of the Group's wholly-owned factual production entities under one unified umbrella, particularly in the USA, as part of DCD Media's increasing drive into the lucrative American television market which now contributes approximately one-third of Group revenues.
DCD Factual is currently in production on several programmes including BBC4's one-hour special Keith Douglas - A Poet at War, and the 2x60' Passion of Port Talbot for BBC Wales, both produced by Prospect, as well as the one-hour Punchdrunk's Duchess of Malfi produced by West Park Pictures for More 4. Fiona Morris is Executive Producer of all three productions. Other ongoing productions notably include a large series of short films for BBC1's The One Show.
David Green, DCD Media's Chief Executive Officer commented: "As the factual genre increasingly dominates television on both sides of the Atlantic, it is important that we give the international production community clear sight of three distinctive production divisions at DCD: September Films UK & September Films USA who are leading producers in the fields of factual entertainment, reality television and formats; Done and Dusted, one of the world's foremost producers of live music, entertainment and event programming; and thirdly our newly formed DCD Factual division under the aegis of Charles Thompson.
"This is the latest move in our strategy to streamline the Group to increase profitability, and position DCD for an even bigger push into the international television markets."
(BMcC/GK)