FremantleMedia will add value as well as capital, drawing on its expertise in maximising the value of creative ideas through production and exploitation.

The first deals under the fund initiative include a talkback Thames label deal with comedy writer Graham Linehan IT Crowd; a partnership with actor Trevor Eve Waking the Dead; and an investment in Polly Leys’ and Kate Norrish’s independent drama production company Hillbilly.

The new fund will invest in a range of talent partnerships. These will include label deals, as well as the formation of jointly-owned production companies.

The fund will initially focus on the UK and the US, but will eventually target opportunities across the company’s global production network. It is part of a major investment-led growth strategy the company is undertaking, which will also see FremantleMedia pursue acquisitions in continental Europe, the UK and the US in the next few years.

FremantleMedia’s director of operations and strategy Christian Schneider-Sickert said, "The talent fund will allow FremantleMedia to build on one of our most important assets, our strong relationships with talent. We are now looking to substantially increase our investment in such relationships across our key markets.

"FremantleMedia is creating a great offer: investment, a track record of supporting and developing talent, a back office infrastructure and a proven ability to deliver financial returns on creative ideas. These investments through the new fund mean we can make a number of investments across a range of talent - from new up-and-comers to established brand names. We always take a long term view on the creative process, which enables talent to flourish both on and off screen."

talkbackThames CEO S Lorraine Heggessey says, "It is a real coup to have such high profile talent in comedy and drama join forces with talkbackThames. The Talent Fund will help us to expand our business and working with established talent such as Graham Linehan and Trevor Eve, will ensure we broaden our creative base in these genres. It is fantastic that our parent company is supporting talkbackThame's ambitious growth plans."