Division to be headed by Exclusive/Hammer’s Simon Oakes [pictured].

Exclusive Media, the film company behind The Ides of March, is launching a TV division and has signed a first-look deal with Fremantle Media Enterprises.

London-based Exclusive Media Television plans to produce “intelligent, grown-up” scripted content in line with its film output, and already has projects in development with two UK broadcasters.

UK broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky are being targeted ahead of a wider international push by the division, which is headed by Exclusive Media vice-chairman and Hammer president Simon Oakes.

Oakes said that making the move into TV was not “rocket science” for the business, which will focus on delivering returnable series rather than one-off specials.

“The lines between TV and film are becoming increasingly blurred,” he said. “We have a track record for producing quality films and any ambitious content creating company should be in the TV business.”

He added: “To a certain degree, TV is a ratings game and you have to be cognisant of what commissioning editors are looking for and have a sense of the zeitgeist.

“In TV, developing in a vacuum is a mistake.”

Exclusive Media’s existing staff of around 65 will work across the TV division, with plans to recruit dedicated creative staff early next year.

The deal with Fremantle Media gives it first look on all of EMTV’s commissioned programmes to distribute internationally.

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