Entertainment
Blackbox Multimedia sues Channel 5 over cancelled drama series
The production company claims Paramount's U.K. broadcaster wrongfully terminated an agreement, while Channel 5 points to safety concerns.
The short version
- U.K. production company Blackbox Multimedia is suing Channel 5, a British network owned by Paramount, over the alleged wrongful termination of an agreement for a crime drama series.
- Blackbox claims it adapted the project into a fictional story with Channel 5's full consultation after a real-life subject declined to participate, leaving the producer with a financial burden when the broadcaster backed out.
- Channel 5 defends its decision, stating that it pulled the project due to duty-of-care obligations after receiving a safety complaint from an individual tied to the story, which it claims Blackbox did not disclose before production.
Key facts
- Blackbox Multimedia has filed a lawsuit against Paramount's U.K. broadcaster, Channel 5, over a cancelled crime drama series.[Variety]
- The drama was originally intended to be based on true events, but Blackbox asserts it developed the project into a wholly fictional drama after establishing that the real-life subject did not wish to participate.[Variety]
- Blackbox claims that Channel 5 was fully consulted on this shift and that the broadcaster wrongfully terminated the agreement, leaving the producer carrying the financial burden.[Variety]
- Channel 5 denies that Blackbox ever delivered the drama and claims it canceled the project because of safety and wellbeing complaints from an individual connected to the story.[Variety]
- Channel 5 asserts that Blackbox failed to inform it of these safety concerns before the commencement of production.[Variety]
What remains uncertain
- The exact financial damages sought by Blackbox Multimedia and the identity of the individual connected to the project remain undisclosed.[Variety]