Corrupt Crimes

Bellum Entertainment Group (formerly ''LongNeedle Entertainment'') was a Burbank, California-based television production and distribution company.

Bellum developed, produced, and distributed TV projects for broadcast, cable, digital, and ancillary markets. Bellum Entertainment began creating E/I programs in 2004 with the release of ''Animal Atlas''. In 2012, Bellum entered into a deal with Tribune Broadcasting to license a two hour E/I program block and two-weekend series, ''Unsealed Alien Files'' and ''Unsealed Conspiracy Files''.

Main productions at company's closing

*''Animal Atlas'' is produced by Longneedle Entertainment, LLC, a subsidiary of Bellum Entertainment Group. Animal Atlas is an educational wildlife show in which young viewers meet animals from across the world. Atlas began in 2004 and is internationally distributed by Cisneros Media Distribution.
*''Coolest Places On Earth'' is a broadcast syndicated program airing in the United States from 2013-2017. ''The Coolest Places on Earth'' features cities, festivals, landmarks and natural wonders showcasing each location’s history and culture. The program is distributed internationally by Electus.
*''Corrupt Crimes'' premiered on September 7, 2015 in national broadcast syndication. Bellum partnered with the Sinclair Broadcast Group to launch Corrupt Crimes domestically on Sinclair stations. The series investigates one or more recent crime stories, with expert analysis and dramatic storytelling. Cases include doping in sports, crimes of passion, wiretapping, espionage, treason, insider trading, government corruption, the Black Market, piracy, murder, blackmail, conspiracies, and more. Corrupt Crimes launched season two nationally syndicated covering over 86% of the U.S. television market on September 12, 2016. International distribution is managed by Sky Vision.
*''Deep Undercover'' premiered in the United States on October 5, 2016, on Escape. The series is a co-production with Televisa and is distributed in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland by ZDF Enterprises. ''Deep Undercover'' is a true crimes series from writer and producer Joseph D. Pistone, the real Donnie Brasco. Each episode tells the story of a different undercover operation from the POV of the undercover officers involved. Cases include all types of organized crime, from the mafia and biker gangs to international smugglers, cartels, treason, political corruption, white-collar crime, and murder cases.
*''Murderous Affairs'' premiered on October 5, 2016, in the United States on the Escape (TV network). The fifty-two-episode series explores love affairs gone wrong and spouses driven to kill. ''Murderous Affairs'' is distributed internationally by IM Global.
*''On The Spot'' is a weekly syndicated trivia show that asks questions from different categories including people, sports, music, health, food, technology, history, science, arts and entertainment, and culture. The show first aired nationally on September 25, 2011.
*''Zoo Clues'' is a 30-minute E/I program that tackles the animal kingdom’s most mind-blowing questions, such as: "Can birds fly backwards?," "Are whales fish?," and "Do dogs sweat?" Questions and clues are presented, giving viewers a chance to guess the right answers.

Previously produced shows

*'' Unsealed Alien and Conspiracy Files'' is a nationally syndicated program that debuted in September 2012.

''Unsealed: Alien Files'' is a 30-minute program that investigates recently released government documents regarding alien and UFO encounters, made accessible to the public in 2011 by the Freedom of Information Act. Based on the information, Unsealed Alien Files re-examines key evidence and follows developing leads to investigate mass UFO sightings, personal abductions, government cover-ups, and breaking alien news from around the world.

''Unsealed: Conspiracy Files'' investigates the previously top-secret files made public by the Freedom of Information Act. The show re-examines faulty assumptions, searches for inconsistencies, and explores new leads, questioning popular beliefs and arming viewers with information to make their own decisions.

*''State to State'' was a broadcast syndicated program set to release for the 2014-2015 season. "State to State", travels to every entertaining nook and cranny of America.
*''Safari Tracks'' is a 30-minute educational wildlife show focusing on African wildlife, comprising 52 episodes and produced in standard definition. Hosted by Benjamin Brown (who previously starred as the title character on the Disney Channel's wildlife documentary series ''Omba Mokomba'') as the South African zoological protector and expert "Ushaka", this television program takes viewers on an African safari each episode. It aired on Bounce TV, Antenna TV, Qubo, Smile of a Child TV, and international markets.
*'' Wildlife Jams'' is a half-hour E/I television program focusing on how animals behave and promote awareness and responsibility toward wildlife issues with the accompaniment of jazz music.
*''Family Style with Chef Jeff'' was a nationally syndicated show in the U.S. for the 2013-2014 season. ''Family Style'' features Chef Jeff Henderson who demonstrates how good choices in the kitchen can lead to a life-changing experience for the whole family. Chef Jeff Henderson is a chef, author, and public speaker. ''Family Style with Chef Jeff'' currently airs on Bounce TV and international markets.
*''Now Eat This with Rocco DiSpirito'' was a nationally syndicated program that debuted on September 15, 2012, starring celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito. Each episode focuses on an individual or family’s food issues and health. Rocco explains how people can eat what they love but still be healthier by cutting out processed ingredients, bad fats, and empty calories. Rocco arms his guests with the recipes, ingredients and cooking skills necessary to maximize the value and flavor of their favorite meals. The program shares its title with Rocco's best-selling cookbook series and New York-based food truck.
* ''America Now'': Bellum Entertainment partnered with ITV Studios and Raycom Media to produce and distribute America Now, a news and lifestyle syndicated strip hosted by Leeza Gibbons and Bill Rancic. ''America Now'' was broadcast across the United States from 2010-2014 on stations owned by Raycom Media and was airing via syndication in other markets around the country.
*"Fix It and Finish It" was a nationally syndicated program that debuted on September 7, 2014, starring model and soap star Antonio Sabato, Jr. Sabato, Jr. travels across America transforming lives, one space at a time. At each city, Fix It and Finish It partners with local designers and contractors to renovate a bedroom, family room, kitchen, or outdoor space. Homeowners who are in desperate need of renovation help tell us why they need a specific area in their home makeover.
*''Flip My Food with Chef Jeff'' was a nationally syndicated program that debuted on September 7, 2014, starring Chef Jeff Henderson. Chef Jeff traveled across the country to flip classic recipes into a healthier dish. In each ½ hour episode Chef Jeff met up with newsmakers, celebrities, and everyday people to “flip” their favorite dishes into dining experiences that taste better, have fewer calories and are fun to cook.

Distribution

Bellum Entertainment distributed six first-run syndicated series to local broadcast television stations, as well as to pay, cable, broadcast networks, and subscription video-on-demand platforms in the United States. Bellum Entertainment's catalog contained thirty-nine titles and 2,067 episodes. Bellum partnered with international distributors including Electus, Red Arrow, IM Global, Cisneros Media Distribution, and Cineflix to distribute programs to territories worldwide. In September 2008, LongNeedle partnered with home entertainment distributor NCircle Entertainment to distribute their programming to home media, including traditional disc media and streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video.

Unresolved financial issues

In 2017, Bellum began to be investigated by the United States Department of Labor for misclassifying workers as independent contractors rather than employees. Robert Lindsey, a DOL investigator, stated that Bellum was being investigated for missed and-or-late payrolls. Bellum had wage claims filed against them by over 50 workers as of August 2017. Many of the cases are currently pending, and possible criminal charges are being considered by the state. Several employees who have won small claims suits over wage theft remain unpaid. Bellum also owes numerous companies unpaid money and as a result has been blacklisted from various distributors from consideration of production deals. It owes one company, Launchpad Entertainment, LLC over $275,000 in unpaid footage license fees that it used in programs.

A legal notice published in the July 19, 2019 issue of '' The Hollywood Reporter'' indicates Bellum's library assets would be publicly auctioned by The Credit Junction (acting as the secured party) beginning July 22, 2019, before the actual auction occurs on August 15 at the office of a Santa Monica attorney. The auction would have been called off if Bellum secured their library for a payment of $10 million; it is unknown if they were able to do so.

References

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Television production companies of the United States
Companies based in Los Angeles
American companies established in 2004