Talkback & Thames To Merge Once Again

Storied UK labels Talkback and Thames are merging once again.

Deadline revealed last year that plans were in place from super-indie owner Fremantle to bring the two together under a restructure that has now been rubberstamped with the exit of Talkback boss Jonno Richards.

The new TalkbackThames outfit will be led by current Thames MD Charlie Irwin. Between them, the two labels produce the likes of Britain’s Got Talent, Too Hot to Handle, Blankety Blank, Family Fortunes, QI, Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Upcoming shows include Netflix double Bear Hunt with Bear Grylls and Holly Willoughby, and Battle Camp.

Fremantle UK CEO Amelia Brown said: “Thames and Talkback have enjoyed a strong partnership for over twenty years and when combined, they have been instrumental in launching some of the UK’s most iconic shows. Now, as the global unscripted landscape continues to expand, there is no better time to reunite their expertise into a single super-label to harness their combined strength and creativity once again and to form a unified structure and identity recognised internationally across the industry.”