18 Jan 2023
UK factual powerhouse Zinc Media Group has announced the launch of new label Atomic Television, spearheaded by premium factual exec Stephen McQuillan. The Bristol-based label will target premium specialist factual content within the genres of history, science, adventure and documentary. It sees Zinc establishing a Bristol base for the first time, further expanding Zinc’s Nations and Regions footprint.
McQuillan comes to Zinc from Humble Bee Films where he was Creative Director. He brings with him over 20 years of experience of developing and producing factual television for a range of broadcasters. In his new role at Atomic Television, McQuillan will support Zinc’s engagement with SVODs and broadcasters worldwide as well as building upon their existing success with UK Networks. Atomic will work with commissioners, collaborators and co-production partners in the US, UK and internationally, across all types of broadcasters, streamers and content platforms.
McQuillan has a long track record of developing science, history and specialist factual programming. Prior to Humble Bee, McQuillan was Creative Director at Icon Films, where he helped grow a slate of programming including: Unknown Amazon With Pedro Andrade for Vice Media Group; Malawi Wildlife Rescue for Blue Ant Media; Mysteries of the Deep for Science Channel; and the Secrets of the Mega… for Channel 5. Before his stint at Icon Films, McQuillan held a number of senior producer roles at Twofour Group and the BBC, including as a Panorama producer.
Tanya Shaw, Managing Director, Zinc Television, says: “As one of the market leaders in factual, Zinc has a fantastic portfolio of production labels across the nations and regions. The launch of Atomic allows us to tap into the wonderful heritage the South West has for making premium, history, adventure and science programming and also help meet the demand from streamers for natural history programming from the region.
“Stephen is an incredibly well-respected figure in the industry with established relationships with key commissioning figures both nationally and internationally, and a strong track record of winning commissions from all the major broadcasters. We are delighted that he will be heading up the newest addition to Zinc Television’s family of labels and supporting our continued growth in premium specialist factual.”
McQuillan is joined by his former colleague at Icon Films, Trevor Manning, to launch the label. Manning is a development producer and worked with McQuillan to create series for Discovery, Vice and the Travel Channel before producing multiple series for Icon in recent years.
Stephen McQuillan, Creative Director, Atomic Television says: “The Zinc stable of labels is renowned for producing high-quality content across the full spectrum of factual and I am delighted to be joining Tanya and the other brilliant teams at Zinc. I think there is a huge opportunity in specialist factual and I am excited to explore exciting new projects with my contacts at the US, UK and international broadcasters and streamers.”
McQuillan takes up his role immediately.
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