Talkback Thames to Be Split Up

LONDON - One of British TV production's most famous brand names, Talkback Thames, is to be scrapped, according to the Guardian.

our editor recommends

Talkback Thames' Heggessey quits

RTL's U.K. production subsidiary, which makes shows including The Apprentice, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Channel 4's Grand Designs is going back to its roots, with the names Thames and Talkback being separated out.

The two brand names came together to create Talkback Thames in 2003 when the formerly separate companies were merged by FremantleMedia, RTL's global production, distribution and rights business.

However, the name is being unpicked as part of a restructure by Sara Geater, Fremantle Media's U.K. chief executive officer, according to the Guardian.

In future Thames will be responsible for entertainment shows, under experienced entertainment producer Richard Holloway.

Comedy entertainment will come under the Talkback brand, which is to be led by producer Dan Baldwin.

Alongside them will be two new divisions. Factual shows such as Grand Designs will end with the credit Boundless, while scripted comedy will be under the auspices of Retort.

Co-founded by comedians Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith, Talkback became one of the U.K.'s leading independent producers of comedy and entertainment in the 1990s, responsible for shows such as Alas Smith and Jones, I'm Alan Partridge, Da Ali G Show, Smack the Pony, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and They Think It's All Over.