PolyGram Entertainment
{{short description|Film and television arm of Universal Music Group}}
{{Infobox company
| name = PolyGram Entertainment
| logo = File:PolygramEntertainmentLogo.png
| image_bg =
| parent = Universal Music Group
| foundation = {{Start date and age|2017|2|11}}
| type = Division
| location = Santa Monica, California
| founder =
| key_people = David Blackman (UMG head of film and television)
| industry = {{ubl|Film|Television}}
| genre = {{ubl|Documentaries|Musicals}}
| subsid = {{ubl|Federal Films|Interscope Films}}
| predecessor = {{ubl|PolyGram|PolyGram Filmed Entertainment}}
| website = {{URL|polygramentertainment.com}}
}}
Polygram Entertainment is the film and television unit of Dutch-American music conglomerate Universal Music Group (UMG). Established on 11 February 2017 as the successor to both PolyGram and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment and a revival of the "PolyGram" brand, PolyGram Entertainment co-produces and co-distributes music-inspired and music-themed productions featuring acclaimed UMG personalities, sub-label companies and record labels throughout its history/existence.
Background
Originally defunct since 1999, the "PolyGram" brand was revived as a co-distribution label with StudioCanal on 15 September 2016 for the documentary The Beatles: Eight Days a Week. Polygram had on its slate as its first production The Story of Motown (a documentary about the record label's cultural and historical effects). Also on its slate was the co-production and financing of Mystify (a biography of INXS frontman Michael Hutchence).{{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/tv-film/7686199/universal-music-relaunching-polygram-announces-story-of-motown-as|title=Universal Music Relaunching Polygram, Announces 'Story of Motown' as First Production|work=billboard.com|access-date=17 February 2017}}
History
UMG had been dabbling in the documentary field, having a hand in producing the 2015 Amy Winehouse documentary, Amy, as well as HBO's Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck. In January 2017, UMG hired David Blackman to head its newly formed film and TV unit, reporting to Universal Music Publishing Group chairman/CEO Jody Gerson and UMG Executive Vice President Michele Anthony.{{cite news|last1=Littleton|first1=Cynthia|title=Universal Music Group Revives Polygram Label for Film and TV Production|url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/universal-music-group-polygram-entertainment-motown-records-1201985415/|access-date=22 August 2017|work=Variety|date=12 February 2017}}
Republic Records, in working with PolyGram, appointed its first executive vice-president of film & television on 17 July 2017, to oversee film and TV projects and its Federal Films initiative.{{cite news|last1=Halperin|first1=Shirley|title='Fifty Shades' Franchise Veteran Dana Sano to Head Film and Television at Republic Records |url=https://variety.com/2017/music/news/dana-sano-head-film-television-republic-records-exclusive-1202496715/|access-date=August 22, 2017|work=Variety|date=17 July 2017}} On 5 June 2018, the company announced the appointment of Daniel Inkeles to the post of Vice President, Scripted Film & Television, who moved over from a sister Vivendi company, StudioCanal, to UMG.{{cite news |author= |title=Universal Music's Polygram Entertainment Names Daniel Inkeles VP of Scripted Film & TV |url=https://variety.com/2018/film/news/universal-musics-polygram-entertainment-names-daniel-inkeles-vp-of-scripted-film-tv-1202830134/ |access-date=5 October 2018 |work=Variety |date=5 June 2018}}
Lionsgate and PolyGram agreed to a multiyear first-look television deal on August 6, 2018, to develop projects for TV from UMG's portfolio of labels, artists and music, with UMG issuing the corresponding soundtracks.{{cite news |author= |title=Universal Music Group and Lionsgate Sign Multi-Year TV Deal |url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/universal-music-group-and-lionsgate-sign-multi-year-tv-deal-1202895858/ |access-date=4 October 2018 |work=Variety |date=6 August 2018}} Universal Music Group agreed on 17 April 2019, to allow Wondery a license to use the UMG music catalog and develop story podcasts of UMG artists, which would possibly be adapted for TV or film projects. Wondery would work with all UMG labels and with its PolyGram Entertainment film and TV production unit.{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Wendy |title=Universal Music Group partners with Wondery, which produced 'Dirty John' podcast |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-universal-music-group-wondery-podcast-20190417-story.html |access-date=22 July 2019 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=17 April 2019}}