Banijay UK is launching ‘DSP Films’, a new creative label within DSP with a focus on premium documentaries.
Graeme McAulay has been appointed MD of the new division, joining from Blast Films where he is currently Co-Creative Director overseeing a raft of premium documentary series for both SVOD and linear platforms.
A BAFTA, Emmy and RTS award-winning documentary-maker with over 20 years’ experience making some of the most popular and acclaimed factual series on television, Graeme’s recent EP credits include Channel 4’s BAFTA-nominated expose Jeremy Kyle Show: Death On Daytime and Netflix docuseries Missing: Dead Or Alive which launched last week at #2 in the Netflix chart.
Building on DSP’s heritage in documentary, with award winning titles including Touching the Void, 9/11: The Falling Man, and In Cold Blood to its name, Graeme will be tasked with supercharging the development of a new slate of premium documentaries for both streamers and UK broadcasters.
The role will report to Donna Clark, MD of DSP, who will continue to grow the business’ strong slate of popular factual and specialist factual programming which includes Interior Design Masters (BBC One), Designing the Hebrides (BBC Scotland/ BBC Two) and The Big Steam Adventure (Channel 5).
Donna Clark said:
“DSP’s focus in recent years has been growing our popular and specialist factual slate which we’ve had huge success with returning series such as Interior Design Masters. We will continue to grow and develop this popular slate, however DSP has long been synonymous with high quality documentaries, so re igniting this focus with Graeme at the helm makes enormous sense as we continue to grow.”
Graeme McAulay added:
“I’ve had a wonderful few years at Blast, but the opportunity to lead a new creative label building on the world-class film-making heritage of DSP was just too good to miss. My passion is thrilling narrative storytelling, so I can’t wait to start work on the next generation of premium documentaries at DSP Films.”
Patrick Holland; CEO of Banijay UK added:
“This is a great example of why we set up the Growth Fund. Hiring Graeme to run DSP Films and to focus purely on premium documentary, while Donna continues to build her successful popular factual slate, will play to those strengths and grow the business.”
Prior to joining Blast Films, Graeme worked on hit shows including 24 Hours In Police Custody (Channel 4), Life And Death Row (BBC), Real PD (Discovery ID) and Space Dive (BBC/Nat Geo).
This expansion is part of the Banijay UK Growth Fund, which enables existing labels to grow into new genres and hire key creatives as well as investment in up-and-coming businesses.
Graeme will join the business in June and be based in London.