DLT Entertainment is setting up a factual outpost in Wales, headed by the founder of Wildflame.
Paul Islwyn Thomas joins DLT, best known for BBC sitcom My Family, as director of programmes, having wound up Wildflame last August due to a commissioning climate he described as “the toughest I’ve seen in over 40 years in the industry”.
He will head up the development slare of DLT Entertainment Wales and will be the main point of contact for all of the company’s productions there.
Islwyn Thomas said: “The region is brimming with creative talent and production opportunities, and I look forward to developing a slate of standout programming that showcases Wales on both national and global stages.”
Islwyn Thomas set up Sex, Me and Disability indie Wildflame under Flame Media in 2016 and took it fully independent in 2020.
He has previously headed arts and events for BBC Cymru Wales, has held senior roles at Indus Films and Bulb Films, and executive produced factual shows for international broadcasters including the BBC, Channel 5/Paramount UK, Discovery Science US and Smithsonian.
DLT was set up in New York in the 1970s and first opened in the UK in 1985, later producing BBC comedy As Time Goes By and Dave show Dara O’Briain’s Go 8 Bit, and acquiring Vera Productions and Impatient Productions.
The move continues DLT’s expansion in factual, having bought Juniper Productions in August last year.
It also operates an audio division that produces Radio 4 comedies, owns the Shaftesbury Theatre in London and manages several comedy talent agencies.
DLT Entertainment president Donald Taffner Jr. said: “This move reflects DLT’s commitment to broadening our creative footprint. Paul’s extensive experience and proven track record puts us in great stead to deliver world-class programming from Wales, contributing to both our regional and international growth.”
