Stellify Media will produce TV content for UK broadcasters and international export, developing original programming in the entertainment genre. Stellify Media will also collaborate with SPT’s American and international production companies on development, with all its UK shows and formats to be distributed by SPT.
The launch of the company follows an increased amount of attention being paid to Northern Ireland following the phenomenally successful HBO TV series ‘Game of Thrones’, which is now into its fourth season, being produced there.
Wayne Garvie, Chief Creative Officer of International Production at SPT, said, “Kieran and Matt are the rising stars of a new generation of Irish creatives. They have proven success in developing popular entertainment and Stellify Media will be a marvellous addition to our family. Northern Ireland is fast becoming a hotspot for international production and at Sony we’re really excited about becoming part of the region’s creative community and launching exciting, global hits.”
Kieran Doherty stated, “We are delighted to be launching our own independent production company at a time when the production industry in Northern Ireland is thriving and producing some of the most popular shows on TV… With SPT’s backing we will have access to a wealth of expertise, resources and opportunity across its global network of production companies allowing us to focus both on international opportunities as well as domestic commissions.”
Doherty and Matt Worthy have already produced a wide range of successful shows nationally and internationally, having created the international quiz format ‘Secret Fortune’ for BBC One and the reality game show format ‘Take the Money and Run’ for ABC US. They also developed entertainment series and game shows including Dara O Briain's ‘School of Hard Sums’ (DAVE) and magic series ‘David Meade: Make Believe’ (BBC One NI). Most recently they developed quiz pilots ‘You Against The Nation’ for BBC One and ‘Divide & Conquer’ for Channel 4. The pair also co-founded Northern Ireland’s media networking group Media Therapy.