Television
March 13, 2024
Bankable Productions Expands Relationship With Warner Bros. With An Exclusive Multiyear Development And Production Deal
(October 30, 2007 – Burbank, CA and New York) – Multitalented producer, talk show host, entrepreneur and supermodel Tyra Banks has signed an exclusive development and production deal with divisions of Warner Bros. Entertainment. Under terms of the multiyear pact, Banks’ production company – Bankable Productions – will create and produce original primetime television series programming via the Studio’s Warner Bros. Television (WBTV) and Warner Horizon Television (WHTV) production units, as well as original movies for Warner Premiere, the Studio’s direct-to-consumer production arm. Tyra will continue her dual role as host and executive producer of both Telepictures Productions’ syndicated “The Tyra Banks Show,” as well as The CW’s hit show “America’s Next Top Model” (“ANTM”), now in its 10th cycle.
Banks’ Bankable brand serves as a young woman’s guide to life, empowering legions of dedicated fans and speaking to a new generation of women in a relevant voice through entertainment. Banks will develop and executive produce scripted primetime programs for the broadcast network marketplace with WBTV, as well as non-scripted programs for network and cable via WHTV.
For Warner Premiere, Banks will executive produce the “Clique” series of direct-to-DVD titles, based upon the best-selling book series from Alloy Entertainment and publisher Little, Brown & Company that has sold over 4 million copies. Production on the first two films in the series is expected to begin in January 2008.
Based on Tyra's strong relationship with The CW and the tremendous success of “ANTM,” The CW and Bankable Productions have entered into a development deal for both scripted and reality content. This commitment is folded into Bankable’s overall deal with Warner Bros.
“My new deal with Warner Bros. represents the growth of an already successful relationship we have with the Warner Bros. family,” said Tyra Banks. “Clearly Warner Bros. understands my brand and the reach and demand of our audience. As we move forward, we’ll be able to provide entertaining content that is both fun and compelling for film and TV.”
“Warner Premiere was founded to help extend the Studio’s established talent relationships and to produce DVD titles targeted and relatable to specific audiences,” said Diane Nelson, President, Warner Premiere. “Tyra has more than proven she has an incredible relationship with her audience and we can’t wait to reach that fanbase with a series of direct-to-DVD ‘Tyra Banks Presents’ titles. Working with Tyra and her team at Bankable is a great opportunity for us to expand and diversify the Warner Premiere slate with quality releases that have a built-in audience.”
“Tyra has established herself as one of television’s most versatile talents, speaking to young women in a relatable way through her highly successful talk show and ‘Top
Model,’” said Peter Roth, President, Warner Bros. Television. “We are thrilled to continue the Studio’s relationship with her, and we look forward to translating her vision to the scripted arena.”
As Bankable Productions expands under this new agreement, the company has made key additions and promotions to its production team. Joining Bankable is industry vet Laura Armstrong, who’s been named Senior Vice President of Development & Production. Armstrong has had a long and successful career in both film and TV, most recently as Senior Vice President of Endemol. Prior to that, Armstrong was at Hypnotic, where she was an integral part of “The O.C.” production team, staffing writers and directors. Before joining Hypnotic, Armstrong was an Executive Vice President of Development & Production for New Line Television. Bankable’s Bradford Sisk has been named Vice President of Production. Sisk has worked alongside Tyra since 2004 as a Production Executive. He will continue to oversee production of “ANTM” as well as develop new projects for Bankable. Prior to joining Bankable Productions, he was Director of Marketing for Davie-Brown Entertainment.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the team surrounding me at Bankable,” added Tyra. “Both Laura and Bradford’s track record speaks for itself and their leadership and guidance will insure that we continue to deliver the highest quality entertainment to our rapidly growing audience.”
Bankable Productions currently produces the household hits “ANTM,” now in production on its 10th cycle, and “The Tyra Banks Show,” a one-hour daily talk program in its third season in first-run syndication, now originating from the Chelsea Television Studios in New York City. # # #