Fox Sets Alternative Comedy Production Deal with Jonathan Stern and Keith Quinn

CHILDRENS HOSPITAL producer Jonathan Stern and his producing partner Keith Quinn have inked a first-look deal with Fox to develop comedy projects via digital platforms that ultimately could end up becoming TV shows on the network.

Here’s what Fox had to say about the deal…

“Continuing its strategy of innovating outside the traditional TV development process, Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) has entered into a partnership with producer Jonathan Stern (“Burning Love,” “Childrens Hospital”) and executive and producer Keith Quinn (Paramount, LivePlanet).

Through the arrangement, FOX Multi-Platform Programming will have first-look rights to comedy projects developed by Stern and Quinn that are suitable for incubation through digital platforms, such as Hulu and Roku, with the ultimate goal of becoming full series on FOX, FX, FXX or other networks. Additionally, Stern and Quinn will provide distribution and producing services (via Stern’s Abominable Pictures) for select projects that The Lonely Island develops.

“Jon and Keith have a proven track record of making outrageous digital comedy series that have graduated to successful on-air shows,” said Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, Senior Vice President of Multi-Platform Programming for FOX. “Their sensibility, expertise and ingenuity are perfectly suited to FOX, as we continue pioneering in this realm.”

Stern and Quinn’s collaboration began when Stern pitched “Burning Love” to Quinn at Paramount – the series, executive-produced by Stern, ran for three seasons on Yahoo! and then was elevated to air on E!, where it is currently in its third season. The series marked Stern’s fourth digital-to-television success, and a key project on Quinn’s successful slate at Paramount Digital.

“FOX is showing impressive leadership and innovation in an increasingly complex marketplace, and that creates great opportunity,” said Stern and Quinn. “We have always embraced producing for both new and traditional platforms, and are excited to develop hits for FOX by taking a talent-friendly approach to incubating new shows from our existing relationships and emerging talent, and to have the chance to work with the ingenious trio at The Lonely Island, as they develop for FOX, as well.”

FOX’s partnership with Stern and Quinn augments the network’s live-action comedy initiative in conjunction with The Lonely Island, which is one of the network’s three multi-platform development units. In 2012, FOX launched ANIMATION DOMINATION HIGH-DEF, its alternative animation unit. In 2013, the network announced a strategic deal with digital studio WIGS, created by television and feature film producers Jon Avnet and Rodrigo Garcia.”

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