Jeff Wachtel Launches Future Shack Entertainment, Pacts With Roku, Blink49 Studios (EXCLUSIVE)

variety.com:

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorTV industry veteran Jeff Wachtel has raised financing and assembled a small team to launch Future Shack Entertainment, a production banner focused on developing TV for global markets.Wachtel has pacted with former NBCUniversal executive Sam Michaels and Yusik Choi, formerly managing director at Rothschild & Co.

and an investment banker at Credit Suisse, to launch the banner with significant financing from private equity funds.Future Shack has also set a partnership with Blink49 Studios, the Endeavor Content-backed banner launched last year by Entertainment One and Alliance Atlantis alum John Moryaniss.

Future Shack also has a first-look deal with Roku Channel, one of the many ad-supported channels offered on digital MVPD platform. “This is the most disruptive and exciting time our business has seen in more than a generation,” Wachtel told Variety. “The opportunity is there for a company that has taste, drive and vision.

We believe we can be a creative and commercial launchpad, enabling the best artists to find the best path to success.”Wachtel aims to focus Future Shack around international co-production.