ITV Studios Revs Up Scripted Dramas and Format Deals Amid Media Arm Sale Process

Andrea Riseborough is heading to the moon, “The Voice” is bound for Estonia and a much-loved U.K. natural history host is coming back to tell more fish stories.

ITV Studios kicked off the Mipcom market in Cannes on Monday morning with a breakfast gathering to show off its broad slate of new and returning scripted and unscripted series.

Ruth Berry, ITV Studios’ president of global partnerships and its Zoo 55 digital content arm, noted that ITV Studios is representing no less than 11 fresh original formats at this year’s Mipcom gathering — a feat amid the global downturn in traditional series commissioning and the general disruption among large production groups.

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“We’re feeling very positive about what it means for the evolution of both studios,” Berry told a group of journalists on Monday morning. Asked by Variety if the M&A fever gripping the global content marketplace had impacted ITV’s operations, Berry didn’t hesitate: “In a word, no,” she said, pointing to the ambitious slate. “Absolute corkers,” she said of ITV’s lineup.

Mike Beale, ITV Studios’ managing director of creative networks, emphasized that the company is “pairing broadcasters and streamers to co-commission” new shows, which opens opportunities for fresh formats.

ITV itself is in the process of being cleaved into two separate firms. NBCUniversal’s Sky is in the midst of acquiring the ITV broadcast and digital platform while ITV Studios will remain a standalone entity, although acquisition rumors won’t quit. ITV Studios is in a strong position to shape these days with the worldwide success of “Love Island.” Berry noted that the U.S. edition of the series ranks as the most-watched program ever on NBCUniversal’s Peacock streamer.

Among the projects that got a push from ITV Studios on Monday was the return of Jeremy Wade, host of “River Monsters,” in a video podcast series in which he recounts tales of his fresh-water exploits. “Fish On! With Jeremy Wade” launches Oct. 20 on Patreon and via the RiverMonsters.TV. The “River Monsters” series that premiered on the Animal Planet cabler in 2009 has found new life on social media platforms with younger viewers.

“You’ll hear that young people don’t want to watch long-form content — not true,” Berry told the crowd, citing the average watch time of 90 minutes for “River Monsters” episodes on YouTube.

Other shows highlighted at the session include “First Woman,” which stars Riseborough as the first woman to walk on the moon — and the first to go missing on the lunar surface; and “Number 10,” a soapy look behind the scenes at the real-life personal and political pressures that surround the occupants of 10 Downing Street.

“Number 10″ series creator Stephen Moffat was on hand to add his perspective on the show. “Every other country is run from a big palace or a big building — ours is run from a house on a shabby little street with a big black door,” he joked.

Among other news shared during the hourlong session:

• ITV’s enduring format “The Voice” has reached its 80th territory commission thanks to a deal in Estonia.
• ITV has picked up distribution rights to Channel 4’s unscripted series “Incognito.” The series brings 10 strangers together in an institutional setting for seven days, with each person trying to guess the true occupations of the others while hiding their own identities.
• ITV has struck a deal with former Endemol Shine Australia executive Sara Richardson to launch a drama label. She’ll work with the existing Lingo Pictures to develop new projects for Australia and beyond.
• ITV’s cold case drama “Karen Pirie” has been renewed for a third season.
• Hit drama series “Line of Duty” will return for Season 7 next year.

(Pictured: “Fish On!” host Jeremy Wade)