Former Rumpus founders set up Bango Studios with BBCS

Emily Hudd and Iain Wimbush, the former founders of Rumpus Media, have set up a production company in a partnership deal with BBC Studios.  

New label Bango Studios will focus on premium talent and original formats with both domestic and international potential. It is understood to already have a number of projects in development. 

Its output will build on Hudd and Wimbush’s existing talent relationships, which have previously included the likes of Joe Lycett and Romesh Ranganathan on programmes such as Joe Lycett’s Got Your Back and The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan. They will also look to forge new creative partnerships with the ambition to create innovative, returnable formats that ‘pack a punch and are infused with warmth.’  

Hudd said that the indie will be “scaling up the innovative mischief and joy for which we are known into premium formats and talent projects for the UK and beyond.”  

The new outfit has been forged in a partnership deal with BBC Studios which will see the group sharing IP and distribution rights. The partnership was brokered by managing director of factual Kate Ward and global entertainment managing director Matt Forde on behalf of BBC Studios.  

A number of familiar faces will join Hudd and Wimbush at Bango Studios. Former Rumpus director of operations at Lucy Rothery is boarding as managing director, alongside Chloe Avery who served as development producer at Rumpus. Avery will join as development creative and will specialise in entertainment and reality formats.  

Hudd and Wimbush first set up Rumpus in 2013, producing shows that spanned a range of genres from Late Night Lycett to How to Survive a Dictator with Munya Chawawa and Out of Order.  

The company was part of the portfolio of labels brought under STV Studios in a £21.4m acquisition deal with indie incubator Greenbird Media from Keshet in July 2023, with STV Studios holding a minority stake in the label. Broadcast reported Hudd and Wimbush’s departure in December of that year.  

By the time of their departure in 2024, the duo had sold over 100 titles ranging from factual entertainment to formats, comedy, live entertainment and current affairs and held three Bafta awards and ten nominations as well as two Broadcast awards and three RTS awards.  

Wimbush said that the team is “excited to work with the brilliant team at BBC Studios: they share our bold ambitions to build a new production company known both for creative innovation and commercial success.”  

Kate Ward said on behalf of BBC Studios that “Emily and Iain have a remarkable track record for creative innovation - delivering programmes of true originality, with a unique combination of fun and real-world impact. We are thrilled to be partnering with them as they launch Bango Studios, and look forward to much success together.”

Bango Studios has also had support from Nick Curwin and Scarlett Ewens’ indie advisory service Matisse, with the consultancy providing creative and strategic support to the business.