BlackLight
BlackLight Television is a UK scripted drama production company founded in 2017 by Ben Bickerton and Philip Trethowan, producing character-driven series and films licensed to UK broadcasters including UKTV, BBC, and Channel 4, operating as a Banijay UK subsidiary.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What BlackLight does
BlackLight Television is a UK-based scripted television drama production company founded in 2017 by Ben Bickerton and Philip Trethowan. The company produces character-driven drama series, anthology formats, and feature-length single films for UK broadcasters and streaming platforms, including UKTV (Bergerac), BBC iPlayer (The One That Got Away), Channel 4 (On The Edge), and Vimeo (Ellen). The underlying product is traditional creative television production, not a software platform; revenue is earned through licensing original drama content (formats such as 6x60min series, 12x30min anthologies, and 1x90min films) to public-service broadcasters on a project-by-project basis.
The company's go-to-market is sales-led B2B: pitches are taken to broadcasters at industry events, with press coverage and social media presence supporting top-of-funnel visibility. BlackLight operates as a subsidiary label within Banijay UK Limited, part of the global Banijay content group of 130+ production companies across 23 territories. Centralized legal, business affairs, and production management are provided by the Banijay Scripted Hub, allowing BlackLight to function with a small core team while accessing group-level corporate infrastructure and international distribution reach. Offices are maintained in London (HQ) and Cardiff, with all operating geographies currently restricted to the United Kingdom.
Commercial performance is anchored by a small number of recurring commissioners rather than a diversified customer base. Productions carry BAFTA, RTS, Prix Italia, and Broadcast award recognition, and the founders' BAFTA-winning track record is the primary competitive differentiator. The company does not disclose revenue, headcount, or funding events, and operates with no disclosed AI, software, or platform technology stack.
BlackLight firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BlackLight
- Legal name
- Banijay UK Limited
- Website
- https://blacklighttv.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- BlackLight Television is a UK scripted drama production company founded in 2017 by Ben Bickerton and Philip Trethowan, producing character-driven series and films licensed to UK broadcasters including UKTV, BBC, and Channel 4, operating as a Banijay UK subsidiary.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BlackLight industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Television Drama Production
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (512110)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Live-Action TV Movies, Miniseries & Specials Production (MPADABAD)
Keywords
Where BlackLight is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
BlackLight business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Content Licensing: TV production company that generates revenue through licensing original drama content to broadcasters and streaming platforms. Productions include Bergerac, The One That Got Away, On The Edge, and Ellen.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels3 records
BlackLight product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BlackLight Television is a UK-based scripted television production company that develops and produces character-driven drama series, anthologies, and single films. Its slate includes Bergerac (a contemporary reimagining of the Jersey-set detective drama), The One That Got Away (Welsh coastal crime noir), On The Edge (Channel 4-supported anthology for new talent), and Ellen (award-winning single film). Productions are licensed to UK broadcasters and streaming platforms such as UKTV, BBC iPlayer, and Channel 4.
Product overview
BlackLight Television is a UK-based TV production company producing character-driven drama series and feature-length films. The company operates as part of Banijay UK and produces a portfolio of distinct television productions including the contemporary crime drama Bergerac, the Welsh noir thriller The One That Got Away, the Channel 4-supported anthology series On The Edge, and the award-winning feature drama Ellen. The company focuses on emotionally authentic, character-driven storytelling across various formats including 6x60min series and 1x90min single dramas.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Bergerac Contemporary reimagining of the iconic Jersey-set detective drama series. A six-part crime drama (6x60mins) starring Damien Molony as Jim Bergerac, with supporting cast including Zoë Wanamaker, Philip Glenister, and Adrian Edmondson. Licensed to UKTV for broadcast.
- The One That Got Away Welsh coastal crime noir psychological drama set in Pembroke Dock. A six-part series (6x60mins) following ex-lovers DI Ffion Lloyd and DS Rick Sheldon reuniting after a murder investigation, created and written by Catherine Tregenna. Distributed via BBC iPlayer.
- On The Edge Drama anthology series comprising four series and twelve standalone films (12x30mins format) exploring life in Britain today. Designed to showcase and nurture new and diverse writing and directing talent, produced with support from Channel 4.
- Ellen Feature-length drama (1x90mins) about a teenage girl navigating life challenges. Directed by Mahalia Belo, written by Sarah Quintrell, starring Jessica Barden. Award-winning single film that won BAFTA Best Breakthrough, BAFTA Cymru, Prix Italia, Broadcast Best Drama, and Writers Guild Best Screenplay. Available on Vimeo.
Companies that use BlackLight
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
BlackLight technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
BlackLight partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Banijay Scripted HubcoreBlackLight's legal, business affairs and production management are provided by the Banijay Scripted Hub, which is part of the broader Banijay UK infrastructure that includes over 130 production companies across 23 territories.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
BlackLight competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Fremantle: Global content production and distribution group (RTL Group/Bertelsmann) operating scripted labels in the UK and internationally. Comparable as a large diversified scripted production incumbent and potential Banijay competitor for talent and IP.
- BBC Studios: BBC's commercial production arm producing premium scripted drama (Doctor Who, Peaky Blinders). Comparable as the largest UK public-broadcaster-owned drama producer competing with BlackLight for BBC commissions.
- ITV Studios: Vertically integrated production arm of ITV, producing scripted drama for ITV and global streamers. Comparable as a major UK broadcaster-affiliated scripted production entity competing for similar commissioning slots.
- All3Media: Large UK-headquartered independent production group owning numerous scripted labels (Company Pictures, New Pictures, Neal Street). Comparable as an established incumbent aggregating multiple drama producers.
Direct peers
- Carnival Films: Producer of Downton Abbey and The Last Kingdom; comparable premium UK scripted drama boutique now owned by NBCUniversal, with similar broadcaster-led licensing economics.
- Kudos: Banijay UK sister label producing premium scripted drama (Broadchurch, Spooks, Tin Star). Directly comparable as a Banijay-owned scripted production label operating out of the same parent group.
- Dragonfly Film and Television: Banijay UK sister label producing premium drama and documentary (Hillsborough, True Crime). Comparable as a Banijay-owned scripted factual-drama label in the same parent ecosystem.
- Sister Pictures: London-based scripted drama production company (Chernobyl, The Split, Gangs of London) founded by Jane Featherstone. Closely comparable in scale, genre focus, and broadcaster-led revenue model to BlackLight.
- Big Talk Productions: Banijay UK sister label producing scripted film and TV (The Theory of Everything, Black Mirror). Comparable as a Banijay scripted label with similar UK broadcaster relationships and BAFTA-credentialed output.
- Neal Street Productions: Sam Mendes-founded scripted drama producer (Call the Midwife, Penny Dreadful). Closely comparable boutique UK drama label with major public broadcaster commissions and prestige slate.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
BlackLight social profiles
Digital presenceBlackLight financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BlackLight leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
BlackLight funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BlackLight M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BlackLight
What does BlackLight do?
BlackLight Television is a UK-based scripted television production company that develops and produces character-driven drama series, anthologies, and single films. Its slate includes Bergerac (a contemporary reimagining of the Jersey-set detective drama), The One That Got Away (Welsh coastal crime noir), On The Edge (Channel 4-supported anthology for new talent), and Ellen (award-winning single film). Productions are licensed to UK broadcasters and streaming platforms such as UKTV, BBC iPlayer, and Channel 4.
Is BlackLight a public or private company?
BlackLight is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was BlackLight founded?
BlackLight was founded in 2017.
Where is BlackLight based?
BlackLight is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does BlackLight make money?
One revenue line is on record: content Licensing.
Who are BlackLight's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Fremantle, BBC Studios, ITV Studios and All3Media. Direct peers are Carnival Films, Kudos, Dragonfly Film and Television, Sister Pictures, Big Talk Productions and Neal Street Productions.
Does BlackLight have an API?
No public API is recorded for BlackLight.
What industry is BlackLight in?
BlackLight's product category is Television Drama Production. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADABAD, Live-Action TV Movies, Miniseries & Specials Production. Its NAICS code is 512110 and its SIC code is 7812.