Alex Breingan

Alex 'Alexander' James Breingan (born May 1972, also known as AJ James and Alex B, ) is a New Zealand television executive producer, television writer and former radio host.

He was the managing director and founder of the New Zealand production company Stripe Studios which was liquidated in March 2024.

Breingan has been covered in widespread New Zealand media due to the nature of the liquidation with several actors publicly sharing that they weren't paid for their work with Breingan.

Breingan has claimed the problems arose after a 'u-turn' by the New Zealand Film commission, which they have denied.

During this time Breingan established the production company Stripe Media in 2014, later known as Stripe Studios.

The production company produced various television shows across New Zealand.

Shows from Stripe Studios that were produced aired previously on SKY Open New Zealand, Discovery Australia New Zealand and NBCU NZ for the channel Bravo.

The most notable series they produced and wrote was The Circus , Rich Listers and Great Southern Truckers.

Rich Listers received criticism after Breingan publicly mentioned that the show was fictional.

Problems arose in February 2024 when reports of post-production services were not paid for their work Breingan's company Stripe Studios, owing a six-figure sum each to two different post production houses in Auckland, New Zealand.

Both services sought legal advice.

American comedian Iliza Shlesinger who filmed a show for Stripe Studios which is yet to be released applied for liquidation on 20 December 2023 to the Auckland High Court due to an outstanding payment of $600,000 NZD ($366,780 USD).

In March 2024, Shlesinger successfully liquidated Stripe Studios (Comedy), a subsidiary of the larger Stripe Studios Group.

Two days before Shlesinger applied for liquidation in December 2023, Breingan registered a film company in the UK, Loveday films.

The website was taken down after questions arose from New Zealand media.

Breingan also registered another film company, SNB film in February 2024.

American actor and singer David Hasslehoff who also worked on a show released with Stripe Studios alongside comedian Rhys Darby was also owed money.

The show has since been in post production but not expected to be finished.

Shows that were produced from Stripe Studios for Bravo New Zealand were also no longer on their website.

The company along with other entities for several productions with Stripe Studios went into receivership March 2024.

A further three companies which were under the Stripe Studios umbrella went into receivership on 14 March 2024.

The receiver discovered irregularities in the finances and reported them to the relevant authorities.

The overall debt that's owed is over $20 million New Zealand dollars ($12,226,000 USD).

In May 2024 under a new alias AJ James, Breingan established a new IMDb profile with proposed shows and films in development.

They were linked to another company, 'Frankly' which was a redirect from his Loveday films website.

Breingan also had links with producers in the USA and in the UK noted on the IMDb profile.

A Kickstarter was also established under his other name AJ James for an upcoming documentary film about the English singer Tony Hadley.

The Kickstarter campaign raised $2 before being closed down after questions from media.

The proposed television shows which also included several reality shows and one with Pat Sharp and Chris Moyles were also removed after questions from media.

Breingan was also filming a show with New Zealand chef Mark Gregory for a series titled 'Christmas at the castle' under his Alex B name.

Breingan has claimed the problems arose after a 'u-turn' was done by the New Zealand Film commission to which they have denied.

Breingan was previously one of the executive producers for the morning series, The Cafe which aired from 2016 until 2020.