Eureka Productions, the award-winning unscripted producer headquartered in Los Angeles and Sydney, and backed by global production group, Fremantle, has announced the appointment of Wes Dening as head of global formats.
Dening will take up the new position on 1st July, reporting to Eureka’s co-CEOs, Chris Culvenor and Paul Franklin.
As head of global Formats, Dening will lead the expansion and execution of Eureka’s slate of international hits. In addition to owned Eureka IP, this will also include third-party formats from around the world as well as Fremantle Australia’s unscripted catalogue.
This follows the announcement in February that Eureka has taken on the development and production of all of Fremantle’s unscripted slate in Australia including Australia’s Got Talent, Australian Idol and Farmer Wants a Wife for Seven Network.
Wes Dening
Wes Dening is an award-winning developer and producer of unscripted programming. He first joined Eureka Productions in 2016 as senior vice president of programming and development, before being elevated to executive vice president in 2018. During his time with the company.
Denning has executive produced shows including Holey Moley (ABC), Dating Around (Netflix) Finding Magic Mike (HBO Max), Twentysomethings: Austin (Netflix), Full Bloom (HBO Max) The Real Dirty Dancing (Fox), Crikey! It’s the Irwin’s (Animal Planet) and more.
Prior to joining Eureka, Dening was the founder and president of international production company WDE where he led the development and production of a slate of programs that have aired in more than 55 countries.
Numerous Eureka series executive produced by Dening have been recognized by industry awards such as the Critics Choice Real TV Awards, Television Critic Association Awards, Rose D’or Awards, C21 Format Awards, Realscreen Awards and more.
“Wes has played a leading role in making Eureka’s formats internationally recognised hits,” said Chris Culvenor and Paul Franklin. “Having him in this new position will help us to boost our output with a new slate of stand-out shows for TV networks and platforms in the US, Australia, and around the world.”
“Since Eureka’s launch, we’ve developed and produced one of the most successful unscripted slates in the business,” said Dening. “I am thrilled to be taking this key global role, working with the company’s world-class teams in the US and Australia to build on our track record of delivering international hits.”
See also: CBS and 10 commission Eureka to make local version of The Real Love Boat