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The entertainment group producing the acclaimed panel show Have I Got News For You has impressively bounced back into the black following its first-ever launch in the American market.

Economic Improvement

This entertainment company, which also produces Mastermind, Derry Girls, and the improv program, reported pre-tax profits of nearly over £850,000 in the previous year. This signifies a substantial upturn from the loss before tax of £377k logged in the preceding period.

Nevertheless, turnover at the organization fell by nearly over a quarter from £48.4 million to £35 million annually.

American Launch

This return to profit coincided with the successful introduction of a ten-episode series of Have I Got News for You on the US network in the build-up to the most recent November American election. An additional twenty episodes are scheduled to air in the current year.

The quantity of programs made, a key measure of the company’s performance, rose from seven shows to ten in the previous year.

Shareholder Payouts

Altogether, the British enterprise issued an temporary payout of £1 million, which is reduced from the £4.7m issued in 2023.

Of this, £900,000 was paid to the company founder and his spouse, Karen, who had obtained a £4.2 million payout in the prior year. Meanwhile, the chair, the board chair, was paid £100k.

Company Background

This enterprise was created in 1986 by Mulville – a budding comedian turned media executive – and his previous partner, the co-creator. Together, they created comedy shows including the satirical series and Room 101 before her departure from the firm in 2005.

Father Ted Musical

Earlier this year, the executive discussed his bid to purchase the stake of Graham Linehan from a planned Father Ted musical. The executive explained that the writer, who helped create the hit series that was broadcast between 1995 and 1998, would not grant the company permission to create it even if he dies.

Considering the writer's campaigning and outspoken views on gender identity, he indicated he suggested that the issue would hinder bringing the stage show into stages.

“The book and the tunes were finished, and we were ready to go but that’s when it all turned very sour,” the executive stated during a media podcast. “We discussed with Graham in which I stated: ‘Look, this production will not happen with your credit on it, there’s no reputable theatre that will make it.’”

He noted: “It escalated … he claimed that if he drops dead it’s in his will that we may not do the stage show.”

Linehan has previously stated he was “prepared to reduce my involvement, just showing up to the occasional practice to see how it was developing. ‘Not possible,’ I was advised; they desired a clean break.” Linehan finally rejected a suggested agreement, which he described as an “insult.”

Last month, Linehan was in court to address accusations of vandalism and bothering a minor, which he contests.