John Brenkus and Mickey Stern's Base Prods. has become the latest U.S. independent production company in the unscripted TV space to be acquired by a large European company. UK’s Tinopolis Group has bought Base, which has offfices in Washington, DC and Los Angeles, as well as its catalog that includes such programs as Sport Science, Fight Science, Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files and Police Pov. The pricetag is said to be around $75 million, a little less than the $95-$100 million Tinopolis recently paid for another U.S. independent company, A. Smith and Co. Both deals have a very similar structure. Like A. Smith, Base will keep its independence, continuing operations from in its facilities in Los Angeles and Washington, DC, with Brenkus and Stern signing multi-year contracts to stay at the helm of the company. In addition, the Base principals will become significant shareholders and members of the Tinopolis Group management team.
- 8/8/2011
- by NELLIE ANDREEVA
- Deadline TV
Ah, Spike TV, the male programming response to Lifetime. All killing, sex, and low-brow humor all the time. If you remember back to when Spike TV first got its start, it had little more in terms of content strategy beyond buying up the rights to the entire James Bond catalogue and broadcasting them 24/7. It may have made the holders of Ian Fleming’s estate ecstatic, but after about a month the channel was in dire need of something new. Gradually the channel began to produce its own content and eventually it got to the point where its unique content was marginally watchable, if you were bored or drunk on a Saturday. Deadliest Warrior represents the current pinnacle of the channel’s programming. It’s that great? No, but it’s perfectly aimed at the testosterone-infused audience thanks to the use of weapons and the wholly ridiculous nature of its concept.
- 5/16/2010
- by Lex Walker
- JustPressPlay.net
Tune in alerts: National Geographic premieres Taboo: Narcotics- New - Wednesday Feb. 3 at 10P et/pt. Throughout human history, narcotics have been used as medicine and for pleasure, but those who use them can be stigmatized. When drug use is legal or accepted, is it still taboo? National Geographic brings Fight Science: Fight Like An Animal airs Thursday, February 4 at 9Pm Et/Pt. Special operations forces are an elite breed of soldiers with the ultimate military training, superior physicality and extraordinary mental ability, especially under stress. Watch as the Fight Science team of scientists pushes these legendary fighters past their breaking point. A sniper is challenged to shoot between heartbeats while enduring temperature extremes inside a glass...
- 2/2/2010
- by April MacIntyre
- Monsters and Critics
A new head-mounted video camera system, to be used by police officers on patrol, will feature in the upcoming "Cops"-like reality series, "Pov-pd", from Base Productions ("Fight Science").
In California, eighteen officers were recently selected to wear the 'Axon' ('Autonomous eXtended On-Officer Network') cameras, manufactured by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Taser International, in a limited trial period for the San Jose police department.
"...The Axon is a tactical computer that brings the power of incident video to every law enforcement officer. Law enforcement officers constantly face false allegations and complaints that question their integrity and honor. With Axon, you now have the ability to show administrators and even jurors exactly what you saw, from your visual perspective.
The Axon system is designed to integrate seamlessly into your existing radio communications through a standard 3.5 mm headphone connection, providing two way communication in addition to full audio-video recording from a head camera the...
In California, eighteen officers were recently selected to wear the 'Axon' ('Autonomous eXtended On-Officer Network') cameras, manufactured by Scottsdale, Arizona-based Taser International, in a limited trial period for the San Jose police department.
"...The Axon is a tactical computer that brings the power of incident video to every law enforcement officer. Law enforcement officers constantly face false allegations and complaints that question their integrity and honor. With Axon, you now have the ability to show administrators and even jurors exactly what you saw, from your visual perspective.
The Axon system is designed to integrate seamlessly into your existing radio communications through a standard 3.5 mm headphone connection, providing two way communication in addition to full audio-video recording from a head camera the...
- 12/27/2009
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
A head-mounted camera for police officers that's generating national interest is set to be featured in a new reality TV show.
Base Prods. is near a deal with a major cable network for a "Cops"-type reality show using the Axon head-mounted camera. The production is part of an exclusive deal between Base ("Human Wrecking Balls," "Fight Science") and Taser, the camera's Scottsdale, Ariz.-based manufacturer.
In the series, viewers will be able to see police work from the officer's point of view, rather than strictly relying on third-party camera operators. The project has the working title "Pov-pd."
"We are truly excited to partner with industry leaders Base Prods. to give our law-enforcement customers a direct outlet to tell their riveting stories of heroism and self-sacrifice," said Rick Smith, CEO and founder of Taser International. " 'Pov-pd' will provide a new platform of longform television to show the public the challenges...
Base Prods. is near a deal with a major cable network for a "Cops"-type reality show using the Axon head-mounted camera. The production is part of an exclusive deal between Base ("Human Wrecking Balls," "Fight Science") and Taser, the camera's Scottsdale, Ariz.-based manufacturer.
In the series, viewers will be able to see police work from the officer's point of view, rather than strictly relying on third-party camera operators. The project has the working title "Pov-pd."
"We are truly excited to partner with industry leaders Base Prods. to give our law-enforcement customers a direct outlet to tell their riveting stories of heroism and self-sacrifice," said Rick Smith, CEO and founder of Taser International. " 'Pov-pd' will provide a new platform of longform television to show the public the challenges...
- 12/22/2009
- by By James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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