CBS Corporation Chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves
CBS Corporation Chairman and CEO Leslie Moonves and Imagine Entertainment Chairman Brian Grazer announced today that Imagine Television Studios and CBS Corporation have entered into a four-year co-financing and first look agreement for scripted and unscripted television and long-form digital programming.
The new deal establishes an independent and expansive opportunity for Imagine to partner with CBS to co-produce and co-own programming for the CBS Television Network, CBS All Access and Showtime, as well as for non-CBS affiliated platforms.
The CBS Corporation platforms will have the first look at new Imagine Television series, with CBS Television Studios serving as a production partner and worldwide distributor for programming produced as part of the agreement. Imagine will retain distribution rights in certain Asian territories, including China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.
Imagine recently announced an independent US$100 million co-financing deal with TVB Ventures for the development and production of television projects.
“For the past 30 years, the hallmark of Imagine’s success has been in cultivating storytellers to create aspirational, exciting and unique films and television series. We intend to sign exclusive overall deals with inventive talent, including writers and filmmakers, to create a modern content studio that values collaboration with autonomy,” said Grazer.
“Imagine Television series always stand out for their quality, creativity and ability to connect with audiences. This agreement aligns our broadcast, pay cable and streaming businesses with a best-in-class partner, and represents another strategic opportunity to own and distribute more content across a dynamic television landscape,” said Moonves.
CBS orders the new comedy Superior Donuts for broadcast during 2016/2017 season
Netflix to beam new CBS Star Trek TV series in 188 countries around the world
CBS Studios to adapt Los Secretos De Lucía of Cisneros Media