PolyGram Entertainment
PolyGram Entertainment is the film and television unit of Dutch-American music conglomerate Universal Music Group (UMG). Established on 11 February 2017 as the successor to both PolyGram and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and a revival of the "PolyGram" brand, PolyGram Entertainment co-produces and co-distributes music-inspired and music-themed productions featuring acclaimed UMG personalities, sub-label companies and record labels throughout its history/existence.
Background
Originally defunct since 1999, the "PolyGram" brand was revived as a co-distribution label with StudioCanal on 15 September 2016 for the documentary The Beatles: Eight Days a Week. Polygram had on its slate as its first production The Story of Motown (a documentary about the record label's cultural and historical effects). Also on its slate was the co-production and financing of Mystify (a biography of INXS frontman Michael Hutchence).
History
UMG had been dabbling in the documentary field, having a hand in producing the 2015 Amy Winehouse documentary, Amy, as well as HBO's Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck. In January 2017, UMG hired David Blackman to head its newly formed film and TV unit, reporting to Universal Music Publishing Group chairman/CEO Jody Gerson and UMG Executive Vice President Michele Anthony.
Republic Records, in working with PolyGram, appointed its first executive vice-president of film & television on 17 July 2017, to oversee film and TV projects and its Federal Films initiative. On 5 June 2018, the company announced the appointment of Daniel Inkeles to the post of Vice President, Scripted Film & Television, who moved over from a sister Vivendi company, StudioCanal, to UMG.
Lionsgate and PolyGram agreed to a multiyear first-look television deal on August 6, 2018, to develop projects for TV from UMG's portfolio of labels, artists and music, with UMG issuing the corresponding soundtracks. Universal Music Group agreed on 17 April 2019, to allow Wondery a license to use the UMG music catalog and develop story podcasts of UMG artists, which would possibly be adapted for TV or film projects. Wondery would work with all UMG labels and with its PolyGram Entertainment film and TV production unit.