A New Chapter for Wag Entertainment

Wag Entertainment, a well-known British documentary producer, is undergoing a significant change. Fremantle, the parent company, has decided to shut down Wag's production division. This move comes as part of a broader strategic plan following Fremantle's acquisition of Asacha Media Group, Wag's former owner, last year. Steven Green, the managing director of Wag Entertainment, is stepping down after 26 years. He is not alone; co-founder Eliya Arman, creative director Bridget Boseley, production boss Kate Gibbard, and production manager Kelly Hood are also leaving. The number of layoffs is relatively small, in the single figures. Over nearly three decades, Wag Entertainment has produced a variety of popular documentaries. Some notable works include "What On Earth? " on the Science Channel, "Don't Date Brandon" on Paramount+, and "Murderer Behind the Mask" on Prime Video. One of their recent successes, "Don't Pick up the Phone, " was distributed through an innovative streaming model, with Paramount+ handling UK rights and Netflix covering the rest of the world.Wag Entertainment was acquired by Asacha in 2021, which led to the departure of founder Martin Durkin. Green took over at that time. Fremantle has been planning the future of Asacha since its acquisition in 2024, and both Asacha founders have since exited. Green expressed pride in the team's achievements, highlighting their recent projects for Amazon, Paramount+, and several British broadcasters. He thanked all the freelancers and staff who contributed to Wag's success over the years. Amelia Brown, CEO of Fremantle UK, acknowledged the team's hard work and contributions. She wished them well in their future endeavors. The distribution arm of Wag Entertainment, led by Janice Strangward, will continue to operate. Fremantle will retain the intellectual property (IP) of Wag's productions.