UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – Aug. 25, 2020 – Universal Television and BuzzFeed are joining forces on a first-look deal in which the studio will produce scripted content based on stories and original reporting published by the tech-powered media company.
“Not only is BuzzFeed the go-to source for pop culture information, their reporting on a wide array of topics continues to break new ground,” said Pearlena Igbokwe, President, Universal Television. “We’re looking forward to this dynamic new collaboration.”
“We are excited to join forces with UTV, an acclaimed studio with a proven track record producing series across network, cable and streaming platforms, to tap into the vast portfolio of BuzzFeed IP and elevate underrepresented voices,” said Charlotte Sims, TV Development Manager. “This partnership is the foundation for building a television presence for BuzzFeed with projects that leverage our global audiences, our award-winning journalism and engaging entertainment content, and our ability to drive awareness at scale.”
The first project between the two entities will be inspired by a 2018 BuzzFeed News story titled “Meet the Women Who Are Building a Better Romance Industry” by Bim Adewunmi about Black women trying to change the romance industry from the inside by challenging the old, predominantly white narratives of who gets to fall in love. The project will be executive produced by Jenna Bans (“Good Girls”) and written by Erika Green.
BuzzFeed’s Richard Alan Reid will serve as executive producer, Karolina Waclawiak as co-executive producer and Charlotte Simms as producer.
ABOUT BUZZFEED
BuzzFeed is the world’s leading tech-powered media company, with a cross-platform news and entertainment network that reaches hundreds of millions of people globally. The company produces articles, lists, quizzes, videos, original series; lifestyle content through brands including Tasty, the world’s largest social food network; original reporting and investigative journalism through BuzzFeed News; strategic partnerships, licensing and product development through BuzzFeed Marketing; and original productions across broadcast, cable, SVOD, film and digital platforms for BuzzFeed Studios.
ABOUT UNIVERSAL TELEVISION
Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, is one of the largest and most successful television production companies in the United States. The studio currently produces more than 50 primetime comedies and dramas as well as late-night programs for a variety of network, cable and digital platforms. Acclaimed series produced by Universal Television include “Russian Doll,” “Never Have I Ever,” “The Good Place,” “Good Girls,” “Master of None,” “Superstore,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and “New Amsterdam,”as well as Dick Wolf’s “Law & Order,” “Chicago” and “FBI” franchises, and all of NBC’s successful late-night programs.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Curt King, Curt.King@nbcuni.com
Carole Robinson, Carole.Robinson@buzzfeed.com