DLT Entertainment Expands Production Base Into Wales With The Appointment of Paul Islwyn Thomas as Director of Programmmes, Wales
London: 13th January 2025: DLT Entertainment today announces the establishment of a production office in Wales (DLT Entertainment Wales), further expanding its reach into production with a firm footprint within the nations and regions. This strategic move follows the recent acquisition of Juniper Productions and underscores DLT’s growing presence in the factual programming sector.
The expansion is marked by the appointment of Paul Islwyn Thomas, a seasoned television executive with over 40 years of experience, as Director of Programmes, Wales. Paul has worked across a diverse range of factual productions for UK and international broadcasters during his tenure at the BBC and within the UK independent sector. From high-profile feature-length documentaries to peak-time formatted series and specialist factual specials, Paul has consistently championed creative excellence while nurturing top-tier talent, both on- and off-screen
With a career that includes senior leadership roles as Head of Arts & Events at BBC Cymru Wales, Managing Director of Bafta-winning Indus Films, Creative Director at Bulb Films (Boom/Twofour Group), and most recently CEO of Wildflame Productions, Paul is one of Wales’ most accomplished creative leaders in factual production. Having worked as Executive Producer for broadcasters including BBC1/2/4, S4C, BBC Cymru Wales, Discovery Science US, Smithsonian UK/US, Blue Ant Canada, Channel 5/Paramount UK, and Viacom/CBS US, Paul has been instrumental in delivering numerous ambitious, multi-award-winning factual projects for global distribution, reaching audiences worldwide. In his new role, he will oversee a slate of new development projects designed to leverage the region's rich creative talent and opportunities while serving as the main point of contact for Wales-based productions.
Speaking about the expansion, Donald Taffner, Jr., President of DLT Entertainment, commented: “We are thrilled to announce our ambitious expansion into Wales and the appointment of the incredibly talented Paul Islwyn Thomas as Director of Programmes, Wales. This move reflects DLT’s commitment to broadening our creative footprint. Paul’s extensive experience and proven track record puts us in great stead to deliver world-class programming from Wales, contributing to both our regional and international growth."
Paul Islwyn Thomas, stepping into his new role leading DLT Entertainment Wales, added: “I am delighted to join DLT Entertainment and lead this exciting new chapter in Wales. The region is brimming with creative talent and production opportunities, and I look forward to developing a slate of standout programming that showcases Wales on both national and global stages.”
This expansion is the latest in a series of strategic moves by DLT Entertainment, a company with a six-decade legacy in television production and distribution. DLT’s portfolio includes renowned production companies such as Vera Productions and Mark Watson’s Impatient Productions, as well as talent management agencies like The Soho Agency and Blue Book Artist Management and Milburn Browning Associates.
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Further information:
Nikki Murray, on behalf of DLT Entertainment: nikki.murray@premiercomms.com | +44 (0) 20 7292 5094
NOTES TO EDITORS
About DLT Entertainment:
Headquartered in London and New York, DLT Entertainment Ltd. is engaged in every aspect of video distribution and production around the world. Founded in 1963 as a distribution company by Don Taffner Sr., the company added television production to its portfolio in 1977. It has enjoyed terrific success in its sixty-one-year history with legendary hits on both sides of the Atlantic including the multiple award-winning and BBC Trust praised sitcom My Family, As Time Goes By, Three’s Company, Too Close for Comfort and Meet My Folks. In addition, DLT has built a reputation as a leading distribution company with classics such as The Benny Hill Show, The World at War, Chicken Soup for the Soul, The Russ Abbot Show, The Olivier Awards, and Dara O’Brian’s Go 8 Bit.
Production activities expanded through an investment in Mark Watson’s Impatient Productions and the acquisition of Vera Productions whose productions include Getting On, Bremner, Bird, Fortune, and numerous Dispatches Including The King, The Prince and Their Secret Millions. In 1986 DLT expanded into stage production in the US and in the UK, where it owns and manages London’s Shaftesbury Theatre, the London home of Mrs. Doubtfire, The Musical opening in May Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical. Later, DLT added talent representation to its portfolio with ownership positions in Milburn Browning Associates, The Soho Agency, Blue Book Artist Management, The Galton Agency, Bedford Square Voices and Gag Reflex.
2020 saw the creation of an audio division with the release of Very Modern Quests starring Alice Levine's for Audible, DLT recently for BBC Radio 4 / BBC Sounds Time of The Week, created by award-winning comedian Lorna Rose Treen and Jonathan Oldfield and starring BAFTA award winner Sian Clifford and The Many Wrongs Of Christian Brighty featuring Jessica Knappett, Colin McFarlane and Chrstina Brighty.
DLT has expanded its commitment to comedy by sponsoring this year’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards for a third year