Backed by Channel 4

Sacha Baron Cohen has set up a new production company, backed by Channel 4.

The broadcaster has taken a stake in the company the Ali G creator has set up with with the aim of finding new comedy writers and performers.

Spelthorne Community Television is named after the borough which includes Staines, the town which Ali G immortalised.

Baron Cohen has set the firm up with Andrew Newman, former chief executive of Peep Show and Toast Of London makers Objective Productions and former comedy commissioner for Channel 4. Newman first worked with the comic on the 11 O’Clock Show – and also wrote on the Borat and Bruno movies.

Their company aims to ‘help break a new generation of risk-taking comedy talent… with a strong focus on innovation and new ideas.’

Baron Cohen said: ‘After more than a decade away from Channel 4, it’s very exciting to come back home and back to the British TV industry that launched my career and those of many of my contemporaries; Ricky Gervais, John Oliver and those blokes who did The Inbetweeners. All have gone on to have great success internationally. A little too much success if I’m honest.

‘But this isn’t about people who are at the top of the pile and are coasting – this is a chance to help establish careers for ambitious people who have yet to make a mark in British television – I include among these, Andrew Newman, who, let’s face it, hasn’t done a lot since he worked with me on The 11 O’Clock Show nearly 20 years ago.

‘Ultimately our aim with Spelthorne Community Television is to discover new talent, develop new shows, then test them on UK audiences before we remake them, starring me, for the much more important US market.’

Channel 4’s contribution comes from its £20million Growth Fund, set up last year to support the UK independent production sector. It has invested in eight other companies, but the broadcaster says the funding does not affect its decisions when it comes to commissions.

Newman added: ‘Just as Channel 4 backed Sacha’s edgy comic vision with Ali G, I hope that through the backing of the Growth Fund our new company will be able to do the same for other people with fresh ideas.

‘Over the past six years I’ve had great fun producing groundbreaking and innovative shows but setting up this business with Sacha is a brand new creative opportunity. We want to make top quality television across the board and with so many emerging platforms, now seems like a brilliant time to do it.’

Published: 8 Oct 2015