On Monday, Harlequin announced the launch of Harlequin Studios, an extension that will focus on turning the publisher’s large print catalog into film and television adaptations.
“The current landscape for movie content and distribution provides new opportunities to leverage Harlequin content across a broader spectrum of media platforms. Harlequin Studios will develop content to expand the reach and breadth of our author franchises to grow beyond the book market while cultivating new fans through the development of a robust movie catalogue,” Harlequin CEO Craig Swinwood said in a press release.
The studio will collaborate with “producers, creators, distributors, networks, and platforms” to create Harlequin-branded content. Its first contract is with Canada’s CTV Drama Channel, where Harlequin will develop and air 20+ made-for-TV movies in a branded block of programming on the channel.
While no other agreements have been officially announced, the press release says that the production company will look to produce “movies, series, and new forms of Harlequin-branded content” in the future.
Brent Lewis, executive VP at Harlequin, will helm the new studio, initially focusing on titles for which Harlequin owns dramatic rights. And there’s certainly no shortage of material: Harlequin, a division of HarperCollins, reportedly publishes more than 110 titles a month in 30+ languages.
