The Production Firm Bounces Into Profitability After Debuting Hit Show in the United States

A media firm producing the beloved comedy series the topical comedy show has impressively returned to profit following its debut launch in the US.

Fiscal Improvement

The production house, which also makes Mastermind, Derry Girls, and the improv program, announced earnings before tax of approximately £857k in the previous year. This marks a significant enhancement from the pre-tax loss of over £375,000 recorded in the preceding period.

However, revenue at the firm dropped by almost 28% from £48.4m to £35m annually.

US Expansion

This financial recovery aligned with the well-received launch of a ten-episode series of the comedy quiz on the American broadcaster in the lead-up to last November's American election. A further 20 installments are planned to run this year.

The quantity of programs made, a crucial indicator of the company’s performance, rose from seven to 10 last year.

Financial Distributions

Overall, the British company issued an temporary payout of one million pounds, which is lower from the £4.7 million paid in the previous year.

From this amount, £900k was distributed to the company founder and his spouse, his partner, who had been paid a £4.2m payout in 2023. Meanwhile, the chair, the board chair, received £100k.

Company Background

Hat Trick was founded in the mid-80s by Jimmy Mulville – an aspiring standup who became television producer – and his former spouse, the co-creator. Together, they created entertainment series including Drop the Dead Donkey and the talk show before her exit from the organization in 2005.

Theatrical Project

In the first part of the year, the executive spoke about his bid to acquire the rights from the writer from a proposed Father Ted musical. He said that Linehan, who co-created the hit series that was broadcast between the mid-90s, refused the production firm permission to make it even if he dies.

In light of Linehan’s activism and expressed opinions on transgender issues, the founder said he suggested that the dispute would impede getting the Father Ted musical into theatres.

“The script and the music were written, and we were ready to go but that’s when it all went badly,” he explained on an industry show. “I had a conversation with Graham in which I stated: ‘Understand, this project won't be produced with your involvement on it, there’s no reputable theatre that will stage it.’”

The executive continued: “The situation deteriorated … he stated that if he drops dead it’s in his will that we are not allowed to do the musical.”

The writer has earlier indicated he was “prepared to minimise my role, just attending to the odd rehearsal to see how it was developing. ‘Not possible,’ I was told; they wanted a clean break.” Linehan ultimately turned down a offered arrangement, which he labeled an “disrespect.”

Last month, the writer was in court to address charges of criminal damage and bothering a minor, which he disputes.