Innovative TV Production House Cuts
Barter Deal With GE’s NBC
Generally, Hollywood production companies are
financed by the major media giants, which then own most of the
entertainment content that is produced. That will not be the case
for two of television’s biggest names.
Former Paramount Pictures president Gail Berman
and former ABC Chairman Lloyd Braun have created a new model for a
TV production house.
The new company, BermanBraun, will operate as
an autonomous studio...primarily focusing on TV. Actively seeking
distribution partnerships, they inked a 3-year deal with General
Electric’s NBC Universal on March 5.
And part of the deal had a barter component...
In return for NBC picking up unspecified
overhead costs, BermanBraun will offer the media company first dibs
on any TV content it produces.
What do you think? Are you in a creative
business, one where you could provide a first chance to some company
in exchange for a needed service?
