EXCLUSIVE: Keshet UK’s scripted boss Howard Burch has left, and was replaced by Jamie Munro, CEO of Keshet International-owned Greenbird.
Burch, an experienced Kudos executive, left several months back. Munro was temporarily filling in until he became the permanent Keshet UKMD. He is tasked with building up the Israeli powerhouse’s scripted UK offering, which includes the likes of Apple TV+’s SuspicionBBC One Dramas The A-WordRalph and Katie, both of which are co-produced. Munro continues to be responsible for Greenbird.
Munro and fellow indie incubator Greenbird co-founder Stuart Mullin took over Keshet International’s UK scripted and non-scripted offering in 2018 but Munro’s new role is more hands-on. David Williams will continue to run the Interstellar’s non-scripted division, which was spun out of the scripted last year. Greenbird holds stakes in Indie companies such as Lego Masters producer Tuesday’s Child, documentary maker Stacey Dooley’s Little Dooley and Frank Spotnitz’s Big Light.
In a statement to Deadline, outgoing Keshet International CEO Alon Shtruzman praised Munro’s “creative sensibilities, vast management experience, and understanding of the UK market.”
“He is perfectly placed to drive Keshet UK and maximise our extensive catalogue of scripted IP in the UK and with global streamers,”He added. “Jamie and Stuart have done a fantastic job of overseeing our UK operations during the last three years, while still running Greenbird, and we look forward to continuing to build on that successful relationship.”
Munro claimed that he was “building a business that can help unlock the full potential of Keshet International’s rich and highly successful catalog,”Collaborating with teams in the U.S.A., Israel, and Germany.
The outfit’s Uma Thurman-starring SuspicionBased on Israeli series False flag This episode was first seen on Apple TV+ in January. The A-Word spin-off Ralph and Katie Recently launched on BBC One, and later sold to Disney+ in EMEA.
Greenbird was acquired by Keshet four years ago. According to TBI at Mipcom, Cannes, UK trade mag TBI, Keshet International is seeking to sell Greenbird. Keshet has not commented on the reports.