ITV

Category: Non-Fiction

  • Guinness World Records announces ‘Got Talent’ as ‘The world’s most successful reality TV format’

    Guinness World Records announces ‘Got Talent’ as ‘The world’s most successful reality TV format’

    MUMBAI: Got Talentis through to the record books having been commissioned in an impressive 58 territories worldwide. The entertainment show now holds the official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the Most Successful Reality TV Format worldwide. Continuing to create a globalbuzz,Got Talent, co-owned by FremantleMedia and Syco Entertainment, has continued to outperform itself by nowmaking history.

    An international ratings phenomenon, Got Talent is leaps and bounds ahead of other reality titles having been adapted in the highest number of territories worldwide. Captivating audiences around the world, the show hasversions across Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle-East, Africa and the Americas. Most recently,the format has launched in Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan 1), Brazil (Rede Record), Moldova (Channel Prime TV) and Iceland (Channel 2). In total, 59 versionsof Got Talentare broadcast in 58 countries (with two versions in Belgium*).

    Simon Cowell said, “I am very proud that Got Talent is a home grown British show. We owe its success to a group of very talented producers all over the world who have made this happen. And of course amazing talent.”

    Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia said: “We are immensely proud of the ever successfulGot Talent and are delighted to add aprestigious GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS titleto its list of achievements. Got Talenthas becomea global phenomenonthat has transcended cultures and excited audiences from all corners of the globe. We look forward to working withSycoEntertainment in continuing to make this brand an absolute triumph.”
    Alistair Richards, President of Guinness World Records, said, “We are delighted to confirm that Got Talent has broken the previous world record and is now the official Guinness World Record holder for the Most successful reality television format, a landmark moment in television record breaking history, congratulations!”

    Got Talenthas seen a spectacular array of talent from the across the world, the range of acts includeSusan Boyle from Britain’s Got Talent,who has gone on to sell over 20 million records worldwide; singer Jackie Evancho from America’s Got Talent;nine-year-old singer Amira Willighagen forHolland’s Got Talent, who’s winning performance of Puccini’s ‘NessunDorma’ and received more than 50% of the television viewers’ votes; SIMA, a Syrian dancing troupe for Arabs Got Talent;circus artist,Simon HeulleforGot Talent France;TetianaGalitsyna, an artist who used painting with sand to tell a story for Poland’s Got Talent; the dazzling dancers, Carolina and Felipe Llanos Almonacid for Got Talent Chile; and joint winners Alexander Magali an acrobatic sword swallower and Nikita Izmailov, a contact juggler, crystal ball dancer and illusionistfor Russia’s Got Talent.Britain’s Got Talent’s first winner, singing sensation Paul Potts, initial audition has had over 121 million views on YouTube and his story was made into a major motion picture, One Chance, by Syco Entertainment and The Weinstein Company, starring James Corden as Potts.  

    Britain’s Got Talent, the UK’s number one entertainment show of the last decade, has notched up eight hit seasons, while America’s Got Talent, the longest running local version of the format,is in its ninth season, with the last series attracting peak audiences of more than 11 million viewers, the series has maintained the position of the #1 summer reality show in the US for eight years.

    Please find images of Got Talent winners from around the world in the below link:https://fmebrandmanagement.box.com/s/3na0x80maqwjvyk594q7

    Please visit the global Got Talent YouTube channel – http://www.youtube.com/user/gottalentglobal

     

  • FremantleMedia asks ‘Who Lives Here?’ in new format acquisition

    FremantleMedia asks ‘Who Lives Here?’ in new format acquisition

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia is bringing a new format to MIPTV, having acquired the global production rights (excluding North America) to Who Lives Here? – a new competitive property format from Canadian production company, 3Bird Media.

    Who Lives Here?combines our love of snooping around other people’s houses and our pre-conceptions about people based on first appearances. In each episode, five strangers tour each other’s homes together and try to work out who lives where. The only information they have at their disposal are their first impressions and their knowledge of each other’s professions.

    As they visit each home – which can range from quirky to quaint, uber-modern loft apartment to the extravagant mansion, suburban homes to urban condos – participants have to plot who they think lives in this particular place, matching up design style with their preconceptions of one another. Participants can decide which details about themselves to highlight and which to ‘omit’ so that they don’t give away which home is their own. At the end of the show – once all the guesses have been collated – each homeowner reveals their own place. Whoever makes the most correct home to homeowner matches wins a cash prize, not to mention bragging rights.

    Vasha Wallace, SVP, Global Acquisitions and Development at FremantleMedia said, “Who Lives Here? is one of those fantastically simple concepts that has massive potential to travel globally. It taps into two universal notions: our desire to see where – and how – other people live, and the preconceptions we make about people on first meeting them. It is hugely addictive to be both looking at the people’s homes but also to be guessing along with the participants as to who lives in which house. We’re very excited to be working with the creative and talented AndrikaLawren and Jennifer Twamley at 3BirdMedia, to help take their idea to the rest of the world.”

    AndrikaLawren, Partner and Executive Producer at 3BirdMedia added: “FremantleMedia’s breadth of experience and impressive reputation with successful formats makes them the perfect partner to take Who Lives Here?into the international marketplace. We are absolutely thrilled to be working with the team at FremantleMedia who share our enthusiasm for the series and our belief that its universal appeal will resonate globally. ”

    Ten episodes of Who Lives Here are currently being produced for HGTV Network in the US and W Network in Canada. The series will premiere in April 2014 in Canada and the US Visit FremantleMedia at MIPTV 2014 at Stand No. C11.A1 (Croisette 11, Aisle 1), 7 – 10 April.

     

  • Endemol acquires International Drama producer Artists Studio

    Endemol acquires International Drama producer Artists Studio

    MUMBAI: Endemol, a world leader in multiplatform entertainment, today announced it has acquired international drama production company Artists Studio.

     

    Artists Studio produces critically acclaimed hits such as The Fall, starring Gillian Anderson (‘The X-Files’, ‘The Last King of Scotland’) and Jamie Dornan (‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, ‘Once Upon a Time’). Created and written by Alan Cubitt, this remains BBC Two’s most successful drama to date, averaging more than 4 million viewers per episode across its first season in 2013.  

     

    Previous Artists Studio credits include Combat Hospital for ABC and Thorne for Sky UK. 

     

    Endemol will globally distribute Artists Studio productions including the second season of The Fall, which has been commissioned for production in 2014 (6 x 1 hours for BBC Two); as well as numerous projects commissioned and in development for UK and US broadcasters. Further announcements will be made in due course. 

     

    Emmy award-winning producer, Gub Neal (‘Prime Suspect’; ‘Cracker’; ‘Queer as Folk’) co-founded Artists Studio in February 2009, alongside Justin Thomson-Glover and Patrick Irwin, all three of whom formerly ran drama producer Box TV. 

     

    Based in South Wales and with offices in London, Artists Studio also incorporates sister company  Far Moor Media, which provides executive production services including pre-sales, deal structuring, rights management and casting, for an extensive portfolio of international drama producers. Far Moor’s most recent project is Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (BBC1, BBC America, Space), currently filming for delivery in late 2014. 

     

    Artists Studio becomes part of Endemol UK, which has drama credits including Peaky Blinders (Tiger Aspect and Caryn Mandabach for BBC Two), Ripper Street (Tiger Aspect for BBC One and Amazon Studios), Black Mirror (Zeppotron for Channel 4), Prisoners’ Wives (Tiger Aspect for BBC One) and The Mill (DSP for Channel 4). 

     

    Lucas Church, CEO of Endemol UK comments: “Artists Studio is led by outstanding talent and has a slate that includes one of the BBC’s biggest ever dramas and a world-class line up of new series for the international market.  This acquisition underpins Endemol UK’s position as a company with some of the most successful drama in the business.” 

     

    Cathy Payne CEO of Endemol Worldwide Distribution adds: “Artists Studio is one of the most exciting producers of quality drama in the marketplace today. Their productions combine exceptional writing and performances with gripping storytelling that can captivate audiences all over the world. Having them in the Endemol family will be a further boost to the Group’s global scripted output and to our worldwide distribution business. “ 

     

    Gub Neal, Creative Director of Artists Studio comments: “Artists Studio’s international activity has grown rapidly over the last 12 months, creating huge opportunities, which is why it now makes total sense to join forces with a truly global player.  Endemol have the status, scale and reach to help us grow the business outside the UK, but equally the creative hubris and sensitivity to allow us to continue our work with UK talent in the bespoke manner that defines our brand.” 

     

    Joint Managing Director of Far Moor Media, Justin Thomson-Glover adds: “We are delighted that Endemol understand the unique potential of Far Moor’s services.  As consultant executive producers we will continue to offer production companies and talent, significant added value in the sphere of bespoke co-production deals and pre-sales for event television in the international market.” 

     

    Endemol’s scripted programming business has grown internationally by 75% in the last five years and today represents a quarter of the company’s worldwide business. 

     

    Other Endemol drama productions around the world include Hell on Wheels, which is now in its fourth season on AMC in the USA; as well as major forthcoming series such as Gallipoli (Endemol Australia for Nine Network and TV3 New Zealand) and Fortitude (Tiger Aspect/Fifty Fathoms for Sky Atlantic), starring Michael Gambon, Stanley Tucci, Christopher Eccleston and Sofie Grabol. 

     

    Endemol also globally distributes a growing portfolio of more than 10,000 hours of scripted programming.  This includes major series such as The Crimson Field (BBC Drama for BBC One), Death Comes to Pemberley (Origin Pictures for BBC One, produced in association with Far Moor), The Thirteenth Tale (HeyDay Films for BBC One), Hot in Cleveland (TV Land USA), and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (Cuba Pictures /Feel Films / Far Moor for BBC One).

  • FremantleMedia International deal sees ‘Cuckoo Fly’ to Germany

    FremantleMedia International deal sees ‘Cuckoo Fly’ to Germany

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International and the world’s second largest public broadcaster, ARD in Germany, have completed a ground-breaking distribution deal for the first two series of the hit comedy, Cuckoo. The deal marks the first time in more than a decade that an acquired series has made it into ARD’s access prime time schedule, which before now has entirely focused on local productions. ARD look to premiere the series this Autumn 2014.

    The latest sale for Cuckoo follows on from a deal completed with HBO Central Europe that sees the series go to 16 territories within the region. The sitcom can now be seen in over 70 territories worldwide including Australia (Foxtel), New Zealand (BBC), Russia (Amedia and 2×2) and Africa (MTV).

    Produced by Roughcut TV for BBC3, the first series of Cuckoo (6 x 30’) pits Hollywood stalwart Andy Samberg against British comedy giant Greg Davies. Ken (Greg Davies) and Lorna Thompson’s (Helen Baxendale) daughter Rachel (Tamla Kari) has returned from her gap year with a new husband, Cuckoo – a self-appointed spiritual ninja and every parent’s worst nightmare. Ken and Lorna have no choice but to welcome him into their family home. The first series of the critically acclaimed Cuckoo was the biggest comedy launch in the UK’s BBC3’s history and was also nominated for two British Comedy Awards.

    Series two begins as Cuckoo and Rachel renew their wedding vows and Cuckoo has left the family home to continue researching his book. While on walkabout in the foothills of the Himalayas, he went missing… eventually presumed dead. It has been two years since his disappearance and life in the Thompson family house is only just getting back to normal. Rachel is rebuilding her life with her new boyfriend, a nice-but-dull lawyer, Ben. Despite appearances, Cuckoo’s absence is still felt.

    This fragile equilibrium is well and truly shattered when a handsome and mysterious young stranger (Taylor Lautner) appears in Lichfield as he tries to track down his father. The new cuckoo in the nest looks set to wreak as much havoc to the Thompsons family life as his dearly departed father.

    Maximilian Bolenius, Vice President Sales & Distribution, German speaking Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, FremantleMedia International said: “For a broadcaster of ARD’s calibre to take Cuckoo as one of their very few foreign acquisitions in a long time, speaks volumes for the universal appeal of this stand out series. Cuckoo truly attracts viewers across all generations unlike many other new comedies from recent years. The addition of Hollywood A-lister Taylor Lautner for series two only enhances the series’ global potential.”

    Cuckoo is executive produced by Ash Atalla (The IT Crowd, The Office andTrollied), series two is set to premiere on the UK’s BBC3.  Visit FremantleMedia at MIPTV 2014 at Stand No. C11.A1 (Croisette 11, Aisle 1), 7 – 10 April.

     

  • FremantleMedia International expands emerging market operations

    FremantleMedia International expands emerging market operations

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International (FMI) has today signaled its commitment to the emerging markets of the Middle East, Africa and South Eastern Europe by expanding the responsibilities of its Dubai office so that it becomes a distribution hub for the region, selling tape and formats as well as driving FremantleMedia’s ancillary and sponsorship activity. As a result of this additional focus and the region’s significant growth to date it has promoted Anahita Kheder to Senior Vice President, Middle East, Africa and South Eastern Europe and appointed Emre Mumcuoglu as Vice President, Distribution.

     

    Reporting into Kheder, Mumcuoglu will relocate from Istanbul to Dubai with immediate effect. Together, the team will be responsible for developing and managing strategies to sell all FremantleMedia content to potential and current broadcasters and licensees across various distribution platforms in the region. The creation of the new distribution hub will enable FMI to increase business in these competitive markets with a vibrant local presence.

     

    Jamie Lynn, Executive Vice President, Head of Distribution, EMEA said: “By expanding our Dubai operation to handle the key emerging markets of the Middle East, Turkey and Africa we’ve got a real opportunity to build on the significant successes we’ve had to date and to exploit opportunities with emerging players to cement our position as market leader in the region. In Anahita and Emre we have two hugely impressive executives whose deep local knowledge and wide-ranging experience will help us to drive these opportunities and grow our business further.”

     

    Kheder has over 14 years of working with in the region and has been with FremantleMedia since 2011, when she joined FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) as VP, Middle East. Prior to joining FME, Kheder, held marketing positions within the music and sport industries before specialising in branded entertainment and entertainment marketing.

     

    Mumcuoglu joins FMI from World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. in Turkey where he was responsible for the vision and strategic direction of the company’s business development in Turkey and Central Asia. In addition to his time at World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., he worked as Director of Programme Acquisitions for Fox Turkey. Prior to that Mumcuoglu worked at Discovery Networks in Istanbul where he was Head of Affiliate Sales for Turkey, Middle East and Israel.

  • FremantleMedia acquires stake in 495 Productions

    FremantleMedia acquires stake in 495 Productions

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia, has signed a deal to acquire a majority stake in 495 Productions, a US-based production company, known for its cutting edge reality programming.  Under the terms of the deal, FremantleMedia will have a 75 per cent holding with the opportunity to acquire the remaining shareholding in the future.

     

    This acquisition adds another strong and prolific US production companies into FremantleMedia’s increasingly diverse group of North American holdings, alongside its subsidiary FremantleMedia North America (“FMNA”) and previous acquisition Original Productions.

     

    Founded in 2006 by SallyAnn Salsano, one of the preeminent US entertainment producers and creators, 495 Productions is a formidable hit factory specialising in riveting unscripted character-driven reality series with colourful personalities at their heart.  The company developed and produced the pop-culture phenomenon series Jersey Shore, which went on to become MTV’s highest-rated show in its history and a global hit with multiple spin-offs including Snooki and JWOWW, The Show with Vinny and The Pauly D Project.

     

    Other ground-breaking productions include Spike TV’s Tattoo Nightmares, which FremantleMedia already distributes internationally, and Repo Games; MTV’s dating show Friendzone and the daytime syndicated talk show The Real for which SallyAnn Salsano is the executive producer. 

     

    The company also produces recent ratings hits Jerks with Cameras for MTV, Tattoos After Dark for Oxygen and Party Down South, which has quickly established itself as CMT’s highest-rated series ever.

     

    FremantleMedia  CEO Cécile Frot-Coutaz in a press statement said, “495 Productions is undeniably one of the US’s leading reality production companies with a unique approach to formatted character-driven reality shows which have proved compelling TV in the US and around the world.  This deal will allow us to expand our share of the valuable US cable market and will complement and diversify our existing portfolio of content and clients.  Together, our ambition is to continue to grow 495 Productions in the US and to broaden its global footprint even further through our extensive distribution and production network.”

     

    FremantleMedia North America CEO Thom Beers added: “SallyAnn is a brilliant leader, an unstoppable creative force and one of the most successful producers in the entertainment industry. Since founding the business 2006, she and the talented creative team at 495 Productions have built the company into a powerhouse responsible for some of the most watched and talked about programming on TV at the moment. This is a key strategic acquisition for FMNA which, with both Original Productions and 495 Productions in the fold, now commands a best-in-class production slate across all family, male and female demos, and for network, cable and syndication platforms.”

     

    495 Productions has enjoyed great success in the US with shows airing across major broadcast and cable networks including a long-standing relationship with MTV and other Viacom channels such as Spike, CMT and VH1 and more recently with Fox, TLC, SyFy, Oxygen, National Geographic, TV Guide, A&E, Lifetime and History Channel.  Additionally, the company has recently signed a multi-year deal with Warners’ Telepictures Productions for SallyAnn’s services as executive producer on new shows for syndicated television, the first of which, The Real, launches this fall.  The company’s production team and the casts of its shows have been nominated for Daytime Emmy Awards and People’s Choice Awards and have won Teen Choice Awards for two years in a row.

     

    495 Productions founder SallyAnn Salsano commented: “This is a huge moment for me and the entire team at 495. That said, the decision of who to partner with and where to make my new home was easy because of my long term relationships with both Cecile and Thom. They know me, they understand how I run my business and they appreciate the way I produce my shows. I started this company with nothing in 2006 and this is proof that if you love what you do, work your ass off and want it bad enough someone will notice and it will pay off.”

  • The TV Formats business is doing very well, thank you!

    The TV Formats business is doing very well, thank you!

    MUMBAI: The production volume generated by the TV format business globally was in excess of 9 billion euros as estimated by a FRAPA study in 2009.  Estimates are that this could have crossed euros 10 billion by now.

     

    Indiantelevision.com calculations place the size for the business in India at around Rs 950 crore nationally, for shows which are produced from international, indigenous formats and even format TV show imports.

     

    Dance India Dance,  one of the most popular original Indian formats in recent times, and has now branched out and in its four season run, spawning three spin-offs’ viz., Dance India Dance: Super Moms, Dance India Dance: Li’l Masters and Dance India Dance Doubles. Cadbury Bournvita Quiz Contest remains India’s oldest original format to be still in production, since its inception back in 1972; and still remains India’s longest running quiz contest. India has adapted quite a few international reality formats, namely, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Masterchef, Big Brother, Britain’s Got Talent, American Idol, Dancing with the Stars and Road Rules, along with adaptations of scripted formats such as 24 and The Killing currently in production.

     

    Earlier this month, UK research firm Madigan Cluff released its annual state of the union update and report on the business titled TV Formats in Europe 2014. It states that despite the global prolonged advertising recession and the fact that several major titles have peaked, the TV formats market in Europe is showing remarkable resilience. The value created by the top 100 formats was $2,931 million in 2013 for 84 European channels across the 16 territories and 21 distributors, according to the TV Formats in Europe report. The value created by formats for UK broadcasters was $600 million in 2013, down from $677 million in 2012. The number of hours broadcast reached 28,386 in 2013. France’s TF1 ($332 million) was the leader with Italy’s Rai 1 at No 2 and the UK’s BBC1 at third spot. Russia’s 1TV entered the top 10 in 2013 —by more than doubling its formats revenues in the year.

     

    The UK, followed by France is the TV formats leader in Europe. France recorded $599 million in 2013, up from $547 million in 2012. The UK, France, Germany and Italy accounted for 72 per cent of Europe’s total value created in 2013.

     

    The total number of hours broadcast in Europe for the 100 formats was 28,386 in 2013 with the UK coming up as the leader again, despite its 2013 total was estimated at 3,935 being considerably lower than in 2012, which was estimated at 4,623. Romania took third place, having added 645 hours to its total in 2013. 

     

  • FremantleMedia to bring ‘Benefits Street’ to MipTV

    FremantleMedia to bring ‘Benefits Street’ to MipTV

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia and Love Productions todayannouncedan acquisition deal that sees FremantleMedia take the worldwide rights (excluding UK and North America) to Benefits Street, the most talked about and opinion-dividing show in the UK.Givinga no holds barredaccount of the reality of life on state welfare,the controversial social reality showrecently aired on Channel 4in the UK, and became the highest ratingseries for the channel in three years.

    Benefits Streetdivided the country and sparked a national debate in every home,office and even in parliament. Highlighting social issues, the show reveals the reality of life on benefits as the residents of one of Britain’s most welfare-dependent streets invite cameras into their tight-knit community. The series follows the residents as they navigate their way through life enduring economic hardships, raising children in poverty, low levels of education and training, and crime. Despite the challenges, the street has a strong sense of community. This is a place where people look out for one another and where small acts of kindness can go a long way.

    The UK version of the show launched in January and achieved a peak audience of 6.5 million viewers. Over the course of the series20.7 million viewers sampled the show, a massive 35% of the UK’s TV population.Throughout the series, Benefits Street continuously ranked as the number one show in its time slot amongst young adults (16-34). The show created such a strong reaction, including a social media storm,that an additional live debate show,Benefits Street: The Last Word, was commissioned.A second series of Benefits Street is in the pipeline.

    Rob Clark, Director of Global Entertainment Development, FremantleMedia said: “I’m a huge fan of this show. It is a noisy, gloves-off, groundbreaking reality series that at times is touching and heartwarming. It covers a social issue that affects us all and cannot be ignored. I watched it on Channel 4 and am proud to launch it internationally at MIPTV.”

    Richard McKerrow, Chief Executive of Love Productions said: “Benefits Street caused a huge stir when it was broadcast in the UK, engaging record-breaking audiences in serious social issues. We are delighted to be working with FremantleMedia and very excited to be bringing this show to the international market”.

     

  • FremantleMedia International and Roland Joffe to develop ugly

    FremantleMedia International and Roland Joffe to develop ugly

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International (FMI) and the Oscar nominated film director and writer, Roland Joffe (The Killing Fields, The Mission), today announced a co-development partnership for TV series Ugly. Joffe will write the vividly emotional and imaginative retelling of the world famous French gothic Victor Hugo novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Played out against the political economic and social explosion of early 17th Century France, the series follows the life of Ugly, the physically impaired hero of the piece and features a cast of extraordinary characters.

    Roland Joffe said, “It’s a cruel conundrum that beauty – much as it is desirable and desired – may be a prison both for those who have it and those who want it. At one level we all think we know what beauty is, but there are as many different kinds of beauty as there are varieties of love. Though physical beauty may encourage the continued expansion of the population at large, it may only be inner beauty that guarantees it’s continued and continuing existence. In our story, Ugly is beautiful and much of what passes for beauty is ugly. Such is life, and life and love, cruelty and compassion, morals and money, are the subjects of our story.”

    Sarah Doole, Director of Global drama, FremantleMedia said, “FremantleMedia International are beyond excited about the opportunity to work with the extraordinarily talented Roland Joffe. Ugly is truly captivating and exactly the type of project that we have been seeking in our efforts to grow our creation of high end scripted dramas. We are looking forward to discussing the project with the broadcasters at MIPTV.”

    In 1695 in the chateau of the Comte de Chateaupers a baby is born. Joy at the baby’s birth is quickly extinguished as it is discovered that the baby boy is deformed. At first sight, his grandmother hurriedly brings a pillow to spare the child from a life of pain and despair, but something in the child’s eyes stops her. Hours later a troupe of travelling actors discover a basket and within lies the newborn baby of surpassing ugliness. Meanwhile, the intemperate Comte de Chateaupers is presented with an heir, never knowing that the child has been hastily bought from a poor woman of the village. The series embarks on a heart-felt journey and shows what it means to be human regardless of your outward appearance. To wrestle with greed, insecurity and fear, to discover the force of compassion, the pain and power of love and the finding of beauty where it is least expected.

    Joffe is universally praised for his international style of moviemaking. Beginning his career in British theater, Joffé was the youngest director at the National Theatre before entering the world of television via Granada, Thames and the BBC. Having worked across successful shows such as Coronation Street, The Stars Look Down and Bill Brand, he had the opportunity to hone his craft. Joffe found his initial success with two episodes of Play for Today, namely The Spongers, winner of a prestigious Prix Italia award and the Best Drama accolade at the Prague Festival, and United Kingdom, featuring Colin Welland. For the latter show, Joffe was nominated for a BAFTA and this laid the groundwork for his first film, The Killing Fields, a frighteningly realistic depiction of a Cambodia torn apart by war and terrorism. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences acknowledged Joffe with his first Best Director nomination. Nominations for the Golden Globe, BAFTA and Critics Circle Awards bear testimony to his outstanding work on this film. The director’s second feature, The Mission, was hailed as a sweeping, cinematically beautiful historical drama about an 18th-century Jesuit mission in the Brazilian jungle. The film was the recipient of seven Oscar nominations, including one for Best Director. It was also awarded the coveted Palme d’Or as best motion picture at the Cannes Film Festival and won Italy’s Michelangelo Prize.

    Visit FremantleMedia at MIPTV 2014 at Stand No. C11.A1 (Croisette 11, Aisle 1), 7 – 10 April.

     

  • FremantleMedia International presents a fresh array of original content for Miptv 2014

    FremantleMedia International presents a fresh array of original content for Miptv 2014

    MUMBAI: FremantleMedia International makes its way to this year’s MIPTV with a host of new and diverse content to add to its already extensive catalogue.

    Featuring a mix of captivating drama, riveting documentaries, glitzy entertainment, affable lifestyle and classic British comedy; FMI is set on providing buyers with a truly assorted variety of engaging content.

    Bob McCourt, Acting CEO, FremantleMedia International, said, “We are delighted to present our new slate at MIPTV, which we genuinely believe offers something for everyone. With a fantastic mix of high-quality content and the addition of global superstars such as Tom Hanks, Taylor Lautnerand Lindsay Lohan to name but just a few, we are all set for this year’s market.”

    Images for our new programming can be found in the below link. For press screeners, please contact the PR team. https://fmebrandmanagement.box.com/s/mkkfl8sqe4gp24kctbc2

     

    Scripted

     

    •Jamaica Inn (3 x 60’) is a bold new adaptation of the classic Daphne du Maurier novel, set in 1820 in the Cornish moors. This highly charged, gothic romance follows a young Mary Yellan as she becomes entangled in a dangerous criminal world ridden with smuggling and murder. Produced by Origin Pictures for BBC One.

    •Dicte(20 x 60’) is a new wave Danish crime drama from Miso Film. The seriesfollows DicteSvendsen, a crime reporter who returns to her native town of Aarhus with her daughter after her recent divorce. As she begins to rebuild her life, she comes across a case that opens wounds from her past.

    •Schapelle(1 x 90’) In October 2004, Schapelle Corby was arrested at Bali airport with over 4kg of marijuana in her luggage. Narrowly avoiding the death penalty, Schapelle was sentenced to 20 years in prison. Based on the controversial events that unfolded Schapellefollows the arrest, trial, conviction, and the media frenzy that erupted in the world’s press. She always proclaimed her innocence and in February 2014 was freed on parole. A FremantleMedia Australia Production for the Nine Network (Aus).

    •Birds of a Feather(8 x 30’) follows the lives of sisters, Sharon Theodopolopodous, Tracey Stubbs, and their neighbour Dorien Green. In this classic British comedy, the trio once again embark on a journey tackling the hilarious issues that life throws at them. Co-produced by Retort (part of FremantleMedia UK) and QuirkyMedia Stuff.

    •Play Nice(12 x 8’/4 x 22’/1 x 90’) from Vuguru follows Raquel and Peter Jacobs as they look to get their little boy George into the prestigious Le Chance Academy. Ellen and Dave Bell, Le Chance’s headmasters, interview the parents of all prospective students; but they don’t make it easy.A day that began with hope for the Jacobs’ quickly turns into a nightmare when they accidentally hit and kill the Bells’ beloved family dog on the way to their interview. The mystery of a missing dog, a parental culture clash and a very eccentric little George all come to a head in the name of a stellar education in Play Nice.

     

    Entertainment

    •Lindsay (8 x 60’) is an exclusive and highly anticipated documentary series following movie star and media sensation Lindsay Lohan on her journey through recovery following a very public period of crisis.Having had her career and personal life sidelined by her public struggles, Lindsay is strikingly candid about her situation and is more determined than ever to get back on her feet. Produced with OWN by Pilgrim Studios.

    •The X Factor UK(32 episodes) brings the best wannabe popstars to the stage as the search for the next X Factor begins.Simon Cowell and a group of expert judges will once again pit their skills against each other as they search for that one act that has The X Factor. Co-produced by Syco Entertainment and Thames (part of FremantleMedia UK).

    •Britain’s Got Talentis an action packed, entertainment series from Thames (part of FremantleMedia UK) and Syco Entertainment. With the dream judging panel, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams, the series is set to amaze and astound as an incredible line-up of acts compete to be crowned this year’s winner.

    •Under the Gunn(13×60’) features theEmmy® Award winningTim Gunn as he hosts his new fashion competition series. Tim passes the torch to “Project Runway” alumni Mondo Guerra, Anya Ayoung-Chee and Nick Verreos, who have shown their prowess on the runway as contestants, but now must prove they have the vision and business savvy to mentor and manage a fashion empire with 15 new up-and-coming designers.Produced by The Weinstein Company and Bunim/Murray Productions.

    •Great Christmas Light Fight(5×60’) is a new reality competition series in which 20 families from across America will decorate their homes to the extreme for Christmas as they compete for a $50,000 Grand Prize.  The series is produced by FremantleMedia North America.

     

    Factual

     

    •The Sixties(10 x 60’), a provocative documentary series exploring the most transformative decade of the modern era in America. The non-scripted series is executive produced by multiple EMMY® Award-winning producers Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman(HBO’s John Adams and The Pacific), and EMMY® Award-winning producer Mark Herzog(History’s Gettysburg) of Herzog & Company (HCO) for CNN Originals.

    •The Art Of(26 x 30’) explores creative fields that fall outside the traditional definition of “art.” In each episode, a new artistic medium is explored through profiles of boundary-pushing artists. Focusing on the celebrated as well as the undiscovered, this series explores the creative process behind each featured art form, from sushi to sneakers to the holidays. The Art Of is produced by Ovation Studios.

    •Drag Queens of London(10 x 60’) is a bold and revealing observational documentary series that follows the lives of a selection of performers on the biggest and broadest drag scene in the world. From the glitz and glamour of this unique subculture, to the performer’s lives off-stage, the series lifts the lid on the world’s biggest and most dramatic drag scene. Produced by The Connected Set.

    •Class of ’92(1 x 99’), from Fulwell 73 Productions and Boundless (part of FremantleMedia UK), is a feature length film documentary focuses on six young footballers careers, and their journey to achieving the unique ‘Treble’ (League, FA and European Cup) at Manchester United.

    •Catching Hell(10 x 60’) from Stick Figure Productionsfollowsthe extreme, thrilling, adrenalized world of commercial spearfishing. Hundreds of feet below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico, these deep water hunters fight man-eating sharks and risk paralysis to hand-select the freshest fish on the planet.

     

    Lifestyle

     

    •Real Girl’s Kitchen(10 x 60’), hosted by Haylie Duff, takes an intimate look inside Haylie Duff’s kitchen and life, her family and friends. Haylie sharesa selection of recipes, stories and adventures while exploring Los Angeles and New York City. Produced by OraTV.

    •Jamie and Jimmy’s Food Flight ClubSeason 2(4 x 60’) features the return ofchildhood friends Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty, as they embark on culinary adventures throughout the continent, taking the best of British food and pitting it against the best of the rest of Europe. Produced by Fresh One.

    •Jamie’s Festive Feasts(1 x 60’) is a celebration of lazy winter days at the end of the year. With Christmas over, Jamie Oliver walks the audience through his perfect winter wind-down foods. Produced by Fresh One.

    Visit FremantleMedia at MIPTV 2014 at Stand No.C11.A1 (Croisette 11, Aisle 1), 7 – 10 April.