Celador is an entertainment company originally formed in the United Kingdom in 1981 as an independent television production company. It created and produced a number of popular light entertainment shows and is best known for the TV format Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and the film Slumdog Millionaire which, in 2009, collected seven BAFTAs, four Golden Globes and eight Oscars including Best Director and Best Picture. The name Celador is a re-spelling of "cellar door", a phrase whose sound is often noted to be particularly euphonious.
History
Celador was founded by Paul Smith,, and included Jasper Carrott as one of its founder shareholders. After establishing itself as a leading UK production company it expanded into TV format licensing, film production and radio station ownership and operation. In 2006, Celador International and the rights and associated properties of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? were acquired by Dutch group 2waytraffic, eventually becoming part of Sony Pictures Television. Celador Productions' management completed a buy out of the company, re-named it to CPL, before becoming a division of ProSieben's Red Arrow Studios. In 2004, Celador commenced legal action against The Walt Disney Company for what it claimed were unpaid profits from Disney's licensing of the programme in the US. At a trial by jury in Los Angeles in June 2010, Celador was awarded $269m in damages after ruling it failed to receive a fair share of profits.
Celador Entertainment
Television
All About Me
The Detectives
Many Jasper Carrott stand up shows, such as Canned Carrott
Celador previously owned twenty-seven UK commercial radio stations including The Breeze and Sam FM networks and Fire Radio. In January 2017 Celador Radio acquired Anglian Radio’s five stations which broadcast across the Anglian region. In 2019 Celador Radio disposed of its entire radio division to Bauer Media. The final portfolio comprised the following radio stations, which were sold to Bauer Radio in February 2019.
Paul Smith, CBE, is Chairman of Celador Entertainment Limited which is the parent company for Celador Films, Celador Radio, Celador Theatrical and Lusam Music. Following the new structure of Celador's previous constituent divisions, Celador Productions, is now run by managing director Danielle Lux. Christian Colson left Celador Films as Managing Director in 2009 to form Cloud Nine Films, now renamed Cloud Eight Films. Ellis Watson, CEO until 2003.
