ITV Studios bolsters unscripted development pipeline
October 7, 2026



ITV Studios has announced an expansion of its development pipeline through a dual-pronged strategy, with the launch of a new ‘development pod’ with Great Shout, alongside the signing of a first-look deal with production company Afro-Mic Productions.

Spearheaded by Tim Carter, Managing Director, ITV Studios, UK Unscripted and Mike Beale, Managing Director, Creative Network, ITV Studios, ITV Studios say that these strategic partnerships “underscore the commitment to fostering innovative, high-quality, scalable entertainment formats across the UK and international markets”.


Great Shout will operate as a ‘development pod’, a standalone label led by producers Patrick Carr and Bob Fletcher, who bring over 30 years of combined experience in prime-time entertainment and comedy entertainment.

Carr’s credits include Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and the creation of In For A Penny both for ITV, as well as more recent work with Richard Bacon’s Yes Yes Media. Meanwhile, Fletcher’s games and entertainment experience spans major UK indies and broadcasters including Hungry Bear Media, Fremantle, BBC, Sky and ITV. His credits include A League of Their Own (season 13) and he developed and produced the first season of the comedy travelogue Bradley Walsh & Son: Breaking Dad (ITV). The duo will focus on originating returnable reality, game and quiz formats.

Under this model, Carr and Fletcher, who join with immediate effect, will pitch directly to networks and buyers while leveraging ITV Studios’ infrastructure.

Complementing the launch of Great Shout, ITV Studios has also entered into a strategic first-look agreement with Afro-Mic Productions. As part of this collaboration, Afro-Mic will have the support of the group’s infrastructure including its format catalogue, market intelligence and global distribution business. As well as the opportunity to exploit content via innovative digital labels Zoo55 and Studio55, ensuring a range of voices and storytelling can reach a global audience.

Belfast-based Afro-Mic Productions is an independent producer of factual entertainment and formatted content including three seasons of Will & Ralf Should Know Better (U&Dave) and How To Sleep Better for Channel 4.

Tim Carter, MD, ITV Studios, UK Unscripted, commented: “These strategic collaborations will add range, diversity and surprise to our unscripted development pipeline. They complement our production labels’ best in class development teams, while allowing us to remain agile and maintain our position as a leader in returnable IP.”

Mike Beale, MD, Creative Network, ITV Studios, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Great Shout and Afro-Mic Productions to the ITV Studios family. These partnerships represent our commitment to fostering relationships with creatives and third party producers across the UK and internationally.”

Patrick Carr and Bob Fletcher, Founders of Great Shout, said: “We’re beyond excited to join forces with ITV Studios and start turning great ideas into formats that give people something to shout about.”

Emma-Rosa Dias, MD of Afro-Mic Productions, added: “We’re delighted with this creative partnership which feels like a collaboration genuinely tailored to where we want to take Afro-Mic next. We’re ambitious about creating original IP with a Northern Irish heart that can travel globally. Access to ITV Studios’ infrastructure allows us to think bigger from the outset, and we’re excited about what we can achieve together.”