EXCLUSIVE: 5, the UK public broadcasting network owned by Paramount, is being taken to court by an established supplier over the demise of a crime drama series.
Blackbox Multimedia, which has produced series for 5 including The Ex-Wife and Benidorm is Murder, alleges that the network wrongfully terminated its production deal and it is owed money. It is highly unusual for a British producer to take legal action against a major buyer, let alone a long-term partner.
The dispute centers on a series that collapsed at an advanced stage of production earlier this year. The drama was originally based on true events relating to abuse and criminal offenses. Blackbox and 5 are not being specific about the details of the series to protect the identity of a person involved.
Blackbox’s position is that it delivered the series in line with its contractual obligations and is entitled to payment for its work on the project. The company, co-founded by former Lionsgate UK COO Guy Avshalom, has engaged UK law firm Sheridans to argue its case.
5 denies that Blackbox ever delivered the drama. The network pulled the series following a complaint from an individual connected to the project during production. This person told 5 that the drama was affecting their safety and wellbeing.
5’s position is that it was not made aware of these concerns by Blackbox prior to production. The broadcaster felt it had little choice but to walk away because of its duty of care to the complainant. 5 has engaged media law firm Lee & Thompson to defend its position.
Blackbox denies that it failed to raise concerns. In Blackbox’s telling, it was brought on to the project as a trusted supplier after the drama was first developed by 5 and Spirit Studios. Blackbox soon established that the complainant did not wish to participate, and alleges that 5 was aware of the individual’s reluctance to be the subject of a series based on their experience.
In its legal claim, Blackbox will argue that it developed the project into a fictional drama. No character, relationship or storyline in the series was based on or intended to represent any specific individual or case, Blackbox will contest. 5 maintains that it was a factual drama.
Also party to Blackbox’s claim is Ex-Mas Movie Limited, a special purpose vehicle for the untitled drama, co-owned by Blackbox and Spirit Studios.
Jeremy Roberts, an attorney at Sheridans, said: “We can confirm that our clients, Blackbox Multimedia Limited and Ex-Mas Movie Limited, have issued proceedings against Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited in relation to the purported termination of a production and licence agreement concerning a fictional drama series.
“Our clients delivered a programme in full compliance with their contractual obligations. They are pursuing their full entitlement through the courts. As the proceedings are ongoing, it would not be appropriate for us or our clients to comment further at this stage.”
A 5 spokesperson said: “We do not comment on ongoing legal matters.”
Blackbox Multimedia has been a key production partner on two seasons of The Ex-Wife for 5, while its John Hannah drama Benidorm is Murder premiered last month. Blackbox was also involved in 2023’s The Castaways, starring BAFTA-winner Sheridan Smith.
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