MUMBAI: A new partnership between the top creatives behind the MasterChef phenomenon and production giant FremantleMedia has been unveiled.

Eureka Productions, the newly formed production company from unscripted specialist producers Chris Culvenor and Paul Franklin, has formed an exclusive partnership with FremantleMedia.

Culvenor and Franklin were most recently Endemol Shine SVP of development and EVP of programming respectively.

The duo has worked together for a decade, including stints at FremantleMedia Australia, and are the creative force behind a vast array of unscripted hits in both the US and Australia. They’ve developed, adapted and produced franchises such as MasterChef, MasterChef Junior, The Biggest Loser, The Voice, Fake Off, The Apprentice, Restaurant Startup, The Face, Project Runway and Minute to Win It.

Eureka opened its Los Angeles office in January and has three projects underway with top tier cable networks. Culvenor and Franklin will be opening their Sydney office in March and appointments to their creative team in both countries will be announced in coming months.

The company will work with FremantleMedia to develop and produce projects that can be optimised through the super-indie’s international network of creatives, producers and sales teams.

Culvenor said, “Paul and I are thrilled to be partnering with the global powerhouse FremantleMedia who have the best creative network in the business.”

Franklin added, “At Eureka, we’re very excited to bring together the talented creative community that we have collaborated with over the last decade to create series that captivate and surprise audiences.”

FremantleMedia director of global entertainment Rob Clark said, “Chris and Paul are two of the industry’s most highly regarded creatives. Their track records in production, development and sales complement our businesses in the US and Australia and we’re looking forward to creating and sharing ideas across our international network.”