Jeff Frost's Bristol Circle production company has locked a first-look deal with Canada's Bell Media, cementing the veteran executive's post-Sony ambitions with a major international partner. The pact covers scripted programming across CTV, the broadcaster's linear network, and Crave, its streaming platform, with global export rights included.
Frost previously served as president of Sony Pictures Television Studios, where he oversaw development and production of numerous series. His departure from the studio giant followed a broader reshuffling of Sony's television leadership. Bristol Circle represents his return to the production side, where he can develop original content from conception through distribution.
The Bell Media deal positions Frost to leverage relationships built during his studio tenure while navigating an increasingly fragmented market where creators need multiple revenue streams. Canadian broadcasters have become aggressive players in scripted development, seeking homegrown talent that appeals both domestically and internationally. CTV and Crave compete with streamers like Netflix and Disney+, making original programming essential to their strategies.
The agreement grants Bell Media significant leverage. A first-look deal typically gives the network or streamer right of first refusal on projects Frost develops, meaning they can greenlight or pass before the content shops elsewhere. This structure benefits both parties: Frost secures a development partner with production financing capacity, while Bell Media gains early access to his projects and the credibility of his track record.
Bristol Circle joins other high-profile production companies seeking major platform partnerships. The landscape has shifted considerably since Frost's Sony era, with traditional studios investing heavily in streaming content while networks diversify revenue through subscription and linear models. The Frost-Bell Media partnership reflects this reality.
The move signals confidence in Frost's creative vision at a time when experienced television executives from major studios are launching independent ventures. Bell Media's commitment to the deal underscores the value networks and streamers place on proven production leadership, particularly