Michael Strahan Inks Overall Production Deal With ITV America

Michael Strahan and Constance Schwartz-Morini’s SMAC Entertainment has signed an exclusive overall production deal with ITV America. Under the agreement, SMAC will create unscripted projects for television, OTT and digital platforms, which will be produced under the ITV America banner.

The two companies are already in business together on the series “Tackle My Ride” for the NFL Network (with Leftfield Pictures), and have the following projects in development: “Spark the Future With Wiz Khalifa” (with ITV Entertainment), “Pros vs. Kids,” “Not for Primetime” (with Leftfield Pictures), and “Guinness World Records” (with High Noon & ITV Entertainment).

“Constance and I have an enormous amount of respect for the team at ITV America and the group’s spirit of creative risk, support and collaboration, which is key for us as producers and entrepreneurs,” Strahan said. “We are eager to develop projects across reality, competition, documentary and more and are truly excited to call ITV America home for SMAC Entertainment.”

Also Read: Michael Strahan vs Kelly Ripa: Here's How Much He's Better Liked

“In addition to his incredible talent, Michael is a total class act: kind, engaged and authentic, whether he’s speaking to an assistant or to a network president,” ITV America CEO Brent Montgomery added. “His expertise and ability to navigate everything from sports and game shows to docs and competition, along with his and Constance’s keen instincts for what resonates with audiences, make SMAC an amazing partner for ITV America. SMAC joins ITV America with an incredible talent roster and we are all truly excited to roll up our sleeves and push our mutual creative boundaries in this partnership.”

ITV America’s chief creative officer Adam Sher and its Business Development & International EVP Ed Simpson helped broker the deal. SMAC Entertainment is repped by WME.

The End of 'Live With Kelly and Michael': A Timeline (Photos)

There's been a lot of drama at ABC over the departure of Michael Strahan from "Live with Kelly and Michael" and the search for a replacement. Kelly Ripa has been part of the network for nearly three decades.

Also Read: The Evolution of Michael Strahan, From NFL Star to Morning TV Host (Photos)
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Kelly Ripa has been a part of the ABC morning talk show block for 15 years, replacing Kathie Lee Gifford as Regis Philbin's co-host on "Live!" in February 2001.
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After Philbin ended his 28-year run on the show, former NFL star Michael Strahan was picked to join Ripa on "Live!" in September 2012.
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In their nearly four-year run together, Michael & Kelly raised the show's ratings by 8 percent compared to the last four seasons of "Live With Regis and Kelly."
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On April 19, it was revealed without Ripa's prior knowledge that Strahan would leave "Live!" this summer to join "Good Morning America" as co-anchor. Strahan had been appearing on "GMA" twice a week since 2014.
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A source told TheWrap there had been friction between Ripa and the rest of the "Live!" team. "Kelly has been very moody and emotional the past couple of years and Strahan was dreading going to work," the source said.
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Strahan formally announced his departure from "Live!" on air April 20, but Ripa did not host the episode. A spokesperson for the show did not elaborate on the reasons for Ripa's no-show.
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Over the weekend, Ripa reportedly spoke with Strahan and ABC president Ben Sherwood, who apologized for not telling Ripa about the "GMA" move sooner.
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On April 26, Ripa returned to "Live!" for the first time since Strahan's announcement and thanked the show's fans for their support. "Our national nightmare is over," she joked.
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ABC also announced that Strahan's final "Live!" episode would be moved up from September to May to take advantage of "sweeps" week.
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On May 13, Strahan said farewell to "Live!" "I am happy. I am not six feet under," he said. "Six feet, five inches above the ground. So I'm happy. It's another day."

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Michael Strahan’s transition from Kelly Ripa’s co-host to “Good Morning America” co-anchor has been sudden and turbulent

There's been a lot of drama at ABC over the departure of Michael Strahan from "Live with Kelly and Michael" and the search for a replacement. Kelly Ripa has been part of the network for nearly three decades.

Also Read: The Evolution of Michael Strahan, From NFL Star to Morning TV Host (Photos)

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