BBC Studios has agreed a partnership deal with Jolly Octopus Media, a new production company founded by Emmy and BAFTA winners Ollie Brack and James Longman.
Backed by BBC Studios Global Entertainment, Jolly Octopus will develop entertainment formats that aim to appeal to audiences around the globe. BBC Studios will share IP of its formats along with distribution rights.
Both from the UK and now living in the US, Brack and Longman first met working at MTV in 2001.
Longman went on to become a two-time Emmy-winning Executive Producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden, Carpool Karaoke: McCartney Live from Liverpool and the Jamie Foxx Netflix special What Had Happened Was. Before moving to LA he was Head of Programmes at Talkback Productions.
A BAFTA-winning Executive Producer, Brack was Head of Entertainment and Comedy at Monkey Kingdom where he co-created, sold and oversaw a slate of returning shows and international format sales such as The Question Jury, Don’t Hate The Playaz and The Emily Atack Show. He then moved to LA to launch and run Monkey’s first US office.
Jolly Octopus has also signed an agreement with Matisse, Nick Curwin and Scarlett Ewens’s UK-based indie advisory service, which has a minority stake in the new venture and will be providing strategic and commercial support.
Brack and Longman said: “This company is something very special to us and we’re thrilled to be launching in partnership with BBC Studios to make joyful, entertainment formats with our colleagues and partners in London and Los Angeles.”
Matt Forde, Managing Director, BBC Studios Global Entertainment added: “Ollie and James are brilliant creatives and bring to the partnership a great track record in developing entertaining content with top tier talent that appeals to all audiences.”
You are not signed in
Only registered users can comment on this article.
.jpg)
Lumine Group to acquire Synamedia’s video network business
Lumine Group has agreed to acquire the video network business from Synamedia.
UK police seize £1.2m of kit after shutting illegal streaming centre
UK police have seized more than £1.2m worth of equipment after shutting down a large illicit streaming data centre.
RTL closes Sky Deutschland acquisition
RTL Group has closed its acquisition of Sky Deutschland.
Riedel Networks appoints Gudrun Scharler as CEO
Gudrun Scharler will begin serving as CEO of Riedel Networks from August 2026, after a structured handover from her predecessor, Michael Martens, who has led Riedel Networks since 2012.
FIFA strikes a last-minute World Cup deal with Zee for India
Zee Entertainment Enterprises has acquired Indian broadcast and streaming rights to FIFA football events spanning 2026 to 2034, including this month’s FIFA World Cup.
