ITV Announces Exclusive Deal With Monkey Kingdom

Monkey Kingdom, one of the UK's leading independent production companies, has signed an exclusive development and distribution agreement with ITV Global Entertainment.
The significant development and distribution deal sees ITV Global Entertainment backing Monkey's push into drama and supports a development slate of drama projects for the UK and international broadcasters.
David Granger, Managing Director of Monkey, said: "We want to come up with the most original ideas and ally them with the best talent. We also want to be able to develop them in whatever genre suits them best. What a joy then to have the might of ITV Global help us push further into the scripted arena.
"Whilst many bemoan the fact the scripted world is going through a difficult stage, to us it feels more like the time's right for a new creative and commercial approach."
Emmanuelle Namiech, Director of Acquisitions and Co-productions at ITV Global Entertainment, added: "Working with talented and innovative producers has never been so vital to bring scripted content to the widest audience possible.
"Monkey's team have both the creative skills and commercial approach to develop fresh, bold new drama. We're thrilled to support their talented team through this closer relationship."
Catherine Oldfield, Head of Monkey Drama, said: "Central to Monkey Drama's ambitions is great writing. And with Noel Hedges and ITV Global's support we're already up and running with a range of projects helmed by some of the best writers around. The relationship with ITV Global was key in our recent option of a Kurt Vonnegut title - a project that has huge international possibilities. It's an exciting time for us."
Noel Hedges, Head of Drama at ITV Global Entertainment, added: "Monkey have a great attitude and some of the best contemporary creative talents in the business, including Catherine Oldfield who leads their drama team.
"They have the creative energy and skill to attract the most exciting established and emerging writers and talent and we're delighted to be collaborating with them on projects for the UK, US and wider international markets."
Founded in 2001 and credited as one of the UK's hot indies in the Broadcast Indies Survey, Monkey produces a wide range of contemporary scripted, factual and entertainment content for broadcast and online; most recently, The Charlotte Church Show and Prince Charles' Other Mistress for Channel 4, Swinging and Best Friend Rehab for Five, Elton John: Me Myself and I and The Passions of Girls Aloud for ITV and Sound and Young, Dumb and Addicted to Mum for the BBC.
Internationally, Monkey is highly engaged in digital content. Working in partnership with organisations including Orange and Universal Music with whom Monkey created the 60 episode pioneering series, The Secret World of Sam King, for Bebo.
(KMcA/BMcc)