Fremantle Media UK entertainment label Thames has added a factual entertainment sub-label that will produce “feel-good formats”.
Upstream has been established by Neale Simpson, who previously founded RDF label Fizz in 2015.
As creative director there, he oversaw and executive produced shows such as E4’s Shipwrecked, Channel 4’s revived The Crystal Maze, ITV’s Tipping Point and Craig & Bruno’s Great British Drives, BBC2 game show Lightning and BBC3’s Fight Dirty.
He left Banijay last year and takes up the role of creative director at the new label.
Thames will continue to focus on predominantly shiny-floor shows such as ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, Netflix’s Too Hot to Handle and BBC1’s I Can See Your Voice.
Thames managing director Amelia Brown described Simpson as “a creative force”, adding: “He will be a huge asset to us and our brand-new label, Upstream, as we look to diversify and produce formats across multiple genres.”
Simpson said: “The launch of Upstream presents a fantastic opportunity to join Amelia and the immensely talented team at Thames with a shared ambition to create feel-good formats that aim to put a smile on people’s faces.”
