Award-winning television producer Simon Andreae is joiningRangeStudios to co-run the non-scripted television studio division alongside Mark Herwick, who launched the studio in late 2021.
Together as co-presidents, Andreae and Herwick will bolster the non-scripted studio’s full production and post-production capabilities globally.
“When Mark first approached me about the role, it was clear that both he and the wider team atRange had managed to combine the passion and energy of a start up with the heft and breadth of a much more mature organization,” Andreae said. “With a stellar client list to help inspire us and an already fascinating slate on which to build, I am looking forward to joining Mark at such an exciting stage in the studio’s evolution and helping expand our overall offering.”
Most recently, Andreae served as CEO of Fremantle U.K., one of the U.K.’s largest studio groups whose labels produce some of the country’s franchises including “Britain’s Got Talent,” “The Apprentice” and “Too Hot to Handle.” He resigned from the role in 2023, citing challenges to his health.
During his three-year tenure, Fremantle saw a 50% growth in revenues through a mix of major new commissions and investments in some of the U.K.’s fastest-growing indie production companies, such as 72 Films and Dancing Ledge.
Andreae was appointed to the role following Fremantle’s acquisition of the company he founded, Naked Television, whose outputranged from successful formats including “100% Hotter,” “Secret Crush,” “The Rap Game U.K.” and “The Day I Picked My Parents,” to documentaries like “Manson: The Lost Tapes” and “Planet Sex With Cara Delevingne.”
“There are very few people, if any, who have Simon’s tremendous experience, building and running both non-scripted start-ups and major studios, and holding senior network roles across both cable and broadcast, on both sides of the Atlantic,” Herwick said. “Beyond this, Simon’s creativity, imagination and taste is unrivaled. I couldn’t be more excited to partner with him to build out our studio and take it international.”
Andreae started his career as a founding partner at U.K. indie Optomen Television, helping it grow with a broad mix of series from “Gore Vidal’s American Presidency” to “Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.”
He also created survival format “Naked and Afraid” during his time at the Discovery Channel, and oversaw programs such as “Masterchef,” “Hell’s Kitchen” and “So You Think You Can Dance” when he served as executive VP of alternative at Fox Broadcasting U.S.
“RangeStudios is an incredibly important component of our business and creating opportunities for our clients who have aspirations in the non-scripted space. Over the past 2+ years, Mark has expanded the studio to include full production and post-production facilities with an impressive slate of projects,” Range Media Partners CEO Peter Micelli said. “We are honored that someone of Simon’s caliber, with his ingenuity, accomplishments, and deep expertise, is joining us to help drive this new phase of the studio. Cannot wait to see what Simon and Mark do next!”
