BBC Worldwide invests in UK indie, 72 Films

David Glover

BBC Worldwide has taken a stake in the new UK-based indie founded by former Channel 4 commissioner David Glover and ex-Dragonfly chief Mark Raphael.

The BBC’s commercial arm has bought a 15% stake in 72 Films, and will rep international rights to all its programmes.

Glover exited his post as head of specialist factual at UK broadcaster Channel 4 to create 72 with Raphael, who was previously joint managing director of Dragonfly.

BBCWW has been buying into various indies over recent years. This deal comes after investments in Greenbird Media, Lookout Point, Mighty Productions and Cuba Pictures parent Original Talent.

Glover commissioned series including Gogglebox, Inside Nature’s Giants and The Plane Crash while leading Channel 4’s specialist factual unit.

Mark Raphael

Raphael, another former C4 commissioner, oversaw series including One Born Every Minute and Inside Birmingham Children’s Hospital while running Endemol Shine Group factual prodco Dragonfly.

“David and Mark’s extraordinary pedigree in delivering innovative landmark TV will only further enhance BBC Worldwide’s high-end factual pipeline,” said BBCWW’s chief content officer, Helen Jackson.

“Our focus is on working with like-minded companies to whom our values, credentials and expertise are important – and we’ve been targeting a specific set of talented people who represent the absolute pinnacle of UK creativity,” she added.

72’s owners said they would aim top make programmes that “don’t fit traditionally accepted TV genres”, with Glover adding: “In some ways that makes the process of getting them off the ground a bit more challenging but it’s ultimately much more stimulating to work that way.”