Fox Strikes Latest International Deal With Canada’s Bell Media

EXCLUSIVE: Fox’s international expansion has taken another step forwards following a deal with Canada’s Bell Media.

The pair will forge shows for Fox in the U.S. and Bell platforms CTV and streamer Crave in Canada, with nascent sales house Fox Entertainment Global (FEG) handling international sales.

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The deal encompasses English-language scripted drama and comedies, unscripted competition and docuseries. CTV and Crave will act as commissioning broadcasters. The shows will initially be produced by Canadian The Way Home producer Neshama Entertainment, which counts Fox-backed MarVista Entertainment as minority shareholder and has a deal in place with FEG.

Fox Scripted President Michael Thorn said the “bold partnership harnesses our companies’ rich source of creativity and enviable independence.”

“The high-level of world-class talent in Canada makes this pact even more attractive, and Neshama and Bell shepherding these projects through the country’s proven production community allows Canadian content to have scale both locally and globally,” he added.

Justin Stockman, Bell’s VP Content Development & Programming, said the move “bolsters Bell Media’s commitment to the creation of original Canadian content that resonates both at home and abroad.”

The news comes a fortnight after Deadline revealed Fox had struck first-of-its-kind drama pacts with production outfits in the UK and France, and it is understood similar discussions are taking place with producers and studios in Europe and Australia. As part of one of the UK deals Fox is developing a drama set on the International Space Station from Young Wallander scribe Ben Harris.

The international distribution arm most recently sold Fox’s Animal Control to Canada’s CBC and E4 in the UK.

Bell Media also has content deals in place with the likes of Warner Bros. Discovery, Sony Pictures Entertainment and Lionsgate.

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