Tag: FremantleMedia

FremantleMedia takes ‘Project Runway’ to Canada

MUMBAI: Television format cerator and distributor FremantleMedia has signed a deal with Canadian firm Alliance Atlantis Communications and Insight Production.

The deal is for the fashion based reality show Project Runway Canada will premiere on the newly-branded network Slice.

The Canadian version format of the US series which was developed by Miramax and The Weinstein Company will find Canadian fashion designers competing in a number of head-to-head challenges for the chance to be discovered as the next ‘It’ Canadian designer, and is set to debutlater this year.
Slice also airs the US and UK versions of the series. In addition to Project Runway Canada, Slice will debut the second season of Project Catwalk, the UK version of the show from March 2007.

Alliance Atlantis Communications senior VP, content, lifestyle channels Karen Gelbart says, “Our viewers have become addicted to the U.S. and U.K versions of the Project Runway series, and it’s truly a thrill to partner with Insight and FremantleMedia Enterprises to welcome Project Runway Canada to Slice.

“We see this as a tremendous opportunity to shine a spotlight on the wealth of talented designers working in Canada’s unique and successful fashion industry. And, given that the world of fashion is competitive, catty and amazingly glamorous, we have no doubt the series will create memorable personalities that will have people talking week after week.”

February 3, 2007
FremantleMedia sells shows to Asian channels at ATF

MUMBAI: Following its attendance at the recently concluded Asia Television Forum (ATF), television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has announced a number of deals concluded at the recent market in Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and the Philippines.

In the Philippines celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s shows were sold. Jamie’s Kitchen, Jamie’s Great Italian Escape and Oliver’s Twist were sold to ABS-CBN’s Lifestyle Network, marking the first time that Jamie will appear on a Filipino network. Jamie’s shows form part of a larger lifestyle package sold to ABS-CBN, which includes a range of other programmes from FremantleMedia Enterprises’ star-studded line up.

FME VP, sales, Asia Pacific Paul Ridley tied up a deal seeing a package of entertainment, factual, reality and drama programming going to Onmedia a pay TV operator in Korea. The package includes American Idol, Project Runway, Jamie At Home, Jamie’s Return to School Dinners, The Apprentice, Martha, How Clean Is Your House, Property Ladder, Falcon Beach, The Janice Dickinson Modelling Agency.

In Malaysia the focus was on reality, where broadcaster Media Prima acquired some of the biggest US ratings hits including American Idol, The Apprentice, Project Runway and American Inventor.

Tying up the deals concluded at the ATF is the raft of programming on its way to Mediacorp TV in Singapore, which acquired a mix of reality and factual programmes, with programmes such as Project Runway, American Idol, The Apprentice, Prehistoric Park, Bills Food, and Jamie at Home heading to Singaporean screens.

FME CEO David Ellender commented, “Such an impressive list of sales is a credit to both Paul and Ganesh, whose commitment to building and fostering key relationships in the Asia Pacific region is reapinggreat benefits for FME, both in terms of sales and development. After such a successful ATF, we now look forward to continuing that momentum as we look towards Natpe and beyond into 2007.”

December 14, 2006
FremantleMedia brings a slew of shows to Asia Television Forum

MUMBAI: Television format owner and distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has announced its slate of programming travelling to Singapore at the end of the month for the Asia Television Forum (ATF) 2006.

FME CEO David Ellender says that a focus on entertainment and reality programmes would lead the way at the ATF this year, with drama and factual titles also on offer. ATF takes place from 29 November – 1 December 2006 in Singapore.

One of its properties is a 12 part music series Live From Abbey Road. The Killers, Diana Ross, Pink and The Who join a host of other top names from the music world to celebrate the 75th anniversary of London’s legendary Abbey Road recording studios for this brand new series from Live From Abbey Road Limited. With television and DVD rights on offer for the series, Live From Abbey Road is set to be the focus of much attention in Singapore.

Famed for its role in The Beatles’ rise to fame, the Abbey Road studios will host international A-list artists, as each one hour episode offers an insight into the world of the musician. Artists on the bill to date for Live From Abbey Road include both musical greats and up-and-coming performers – Paul Simon, Massive Attack, LeAnn Rimes, David Gilmour, Pearl Jam, Gnarles Barkley and Corinne Bailey Rae are just some who will gather in celebration of the home of music.

Also on show at the ATF will be a reality offering from Janice Dickinson, the self-proclaimed world’s first supermodel, in her show The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency. The series is a no-holds-barred look at Janice as she sets up her own modelling agency. After five seasons as the resident “Simon Cowell” judge on America’s Next Top Model, Janice is now taking the reigns. But this is not a contrived elimination show – this is the real thing. One thing’s for sure, these models better realise that with Janice, it’s her way or the highway.

American Inventor is a search to find America’s best new invention and to make one struggling inventor’s dream come true. With a million dollars at stake, American Inventor celebrates the best in homespun ingenuity and will be judged by the panel of experts including show co-creator, UK entrepreneur Peter Jones.

The juggernaut of the reality genre, American Idol, will be back for the ATF, and FME will present the sixth season. The Apprentice Season six will be offered. With a crop of entrepreneurs more intelligent and successful than ever, the competitors’ survival techniques will be tested, this time from Los Angeles, where the rules are different and a powerful perk is bestowed upon winning project managers, with losing teams not only going to the boardroom, but having a new and unpleasant situation to deal with.

Available for TV and DVD is series three of Project Runway hosted by supermodel, Heidi Klum. This immensely popular series from Miramax and The Weinstein Company was nominated for three 2006 Emmy awards and screens in 21 territories worldwide. The third series sees 15 new fashion designers battling it out for the chance to show their designs in front of the global fashion community in New York and be displayed in the pages of Elle magazine.

Competing against each other in a series of challenges, through each of which a designer is eliminated, ultimately one will be left to claim their rightful place in fashion’s spotlight. Project Runway is hot property! The third series attracted audiences of up to 5.0 million viewers, ranking as the highest rated programme in Bravo’s 20 year history.

Falcon Beach will make its ATF debut having already been snapped up by 24 broadcasters worldwide. This is a family drama with the lot – it’s sexy, edgy and full of energy, it’s the essence of summer. Falcon Beach centres on the lives and loves of the town’s young men and women, as they find their way towards their futures in a quiet lakeside town where locals and summer visitors mingle and where seduction, sand, sun and scandal are abundant.

November 21, 2006
FremantleMedia, Mobliss launch mobile phone channel in the US

MUMBAI: Television format cerator FremantleMedia and Mobliss have launched a mobile phone channel, Atomic Wedgie, on the Sprint network in the US.

The channel will feature hours of original programming as well as content from FremantleMedia’s library including hilarious animated and live action shorts, Baywatch, British cult comedy and TV bloopers.

Atomic Wedgie will be available through a monthly subscription on Sprint, one of America’s largest mobile broadband networks, and will debut in the US with eight categories of short form comedy targeted at the 18-34 year old male demographic. It is the first mobile channel to launch from the joint venture between FremantleMedia, one of the largest international creators and producers of programme brands in the world, and Mobliss, one of the most trusted names in mobile entertainment and content delivery.

The channel will feature re-purposed content from FremantleMedia’s extensive library, the best content from third party producers and original content made specifically for mobile and produced by the company’s newly created FMX division. Mobliss provides the technology necessary to power the mobile video clips and with deep roots in the wireless industry, is a critical partner for delivering the channel to top tier carriers like Sprint.

aFremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide GM Olivier Gers says, “This is the first mobile phone channel of its type and we are very excited to be partnering with Mobliss in order to launch this service in the US. FremantleMedia has an extensive portfolio of high quality programming and we are delighted to be able to bring this content direct to consumers, giving them one place to go for the funniest content on mobile.

“We are also looking to acquire content and are currently creating content from scratch specifically for mobile. We are also very interested in speaking to producers to enhance our catalogue, as well as exploring other distribution venues for the channel.”

Mobliss president and CEO Jim Merrick says, “Mobliss and FremantleMedia have a successful track record of delivering mobile entertainment that has not only been fun and accessible to everyone, but has helped to cement the mobile device as a true entertainment platform. It is this history combined with Sprint’s leadership in mobile video in the US, and the hilarious content, that positions Atomic Wedgie for success.”

FremantleMedia and Mobliss have enjoyed a long and successful partnership and together have been credited for introducing SMS messaging for American Idol – the largest text voting campaign in television history – and the creation of the mobile games Family Feud and The Price is Right.

November 13, 2006
Sony ships new ‘American Idol’ music creation software

MUMBAI: Sony Media Software, a provider of music creation programs for the PC and FremantleMedia licensing worldwide, the licensing division of FremantleMedia, international creators and producers of programmed brands in the world, have announced the availability of American Idol Jam Trax and American Idol Extreme Music Creator software, two new applications that let users create music just like the stars of American Idol.

American Idol Jam Trax software is an easy- to-use music creation and recording software application that comes with over six hundred music loops and samples which can be mixed together to build original songs. Users can lay down an instrumental background track, plug in a microphone and record their vocals live. Additionally, the software can change the tempo and key of a song and can even email the finished results to others right from within the program and is available at a price of $19.95, asserts an official release.

American Idol Extreme Music Creator software offers more advanced music- making features for aspiring musicians and singers who are serious about the chance at their turn as America’s next superstar. Users can record their vocals, remix their own favorite songs or burn them to a CD to share with others.

The software includes hundreds of royalty-free music loops and samples in multiple genres making the creative possibilities endless. Extreme Music Creator also comes with a free Randy Jackson’s Producer’s Pack bonus disc, providing over 250 additional pop music loops and samples. With up to six prearranged projects, users can simply lay down their vocals and create a song and is available at a price of $49.95.

Music producer and one of the judges on American Idol Randy Jackson said, “This software is the bomb, working with American Idol Extreme Music Creator software is a great way for anyone to discover their hidden musical talents. With my producer’s pack you can access even more loops that will help you create your own tracks and remix your favorite songs. Then you can share your new music creations with the world.”

American Idol Jam Trax and American Idol Extreme Music Creator software (which includes the bonus Randy Jackson’s Producer’s Pack) are available at Best Buy, Circuit City, Target, Office Depot, Amazon.com and other major retail stores nationwide.

Future editions of the Randy Jackson’s Producer’s Packs, add-on loops and music samples for American Idol Extreme Music Creator software, will hit the shelves before the holidays for a price of $24.95, adds the release.

November 7, 2006
FremantleMedia to laugh out loud at Mipcom 2006

MUMBAI: Fremantle International Distribution (FID), the distribution arm of global production outfit FremantleMedia will bring a comedy line-up for the television trade event Mipcom in Cannes, France.

FremantleMedia Enterprises CEO David Ellender, says that a raft of new and favourite comedy titles will make the trip to Cannes for the trade event from 9-13 October 2006.
Fresh from its BBC2 debut, the newest addition to Fremantlemedia’s comedy family is That Mitchell & Webb Look. This is a sketch show featuring the comedy duo David Mitchell and Robert Webb. As Mitchell and Webb bring their radio show to television, the new series is filled with riotous characters and ideas-driven sketches, lampooning the likes of the Nazis right through to Her Majesty the Queen. Intelligent, socially acute, sometimes satirical, sometimes bizarre, but always funny!

Best-selling author, child psychology expert and highly esteemed childcare guru – there isn’t a parenting problem for which Professor George Hartley hasn’t got a rational, reasoned answer. However, he’s never quite got round to the actual practical side of parenting. That is, until now. In the comedy, The Complete Guide To Parenting George finds himself thrown into the parenting deep end when his wife takes a job in Paris and he takes sole responsibility for their seven year old son, Jamie. Fortunately, George has people around him to help. Unfortunately, this assistance comes in the form of his inefficient, celebrity-obsessed P.A. and a foul-mouthed, Antipodean au-pair. Clearly this isn’t going to be child’s play!
From Courteney Cox Arquette and David Arquette’s Coquette Productions comes Daisy Does America. In the comedy series actress-comedian Daisy Donovan travels the country in pursuit of the American dream, soon discovering that the phrase means different things to different people. Fast-paced and irreverent, it’s a look at some of America’s most extreme characters and lifestyles, as seen through the eyes of a Brit, and highlights the quirks and oddities of the American way of life.

Along the way, Daisy pokes fun at herself and the characters she comes across in her unique, tongue-in-cheek style. As Daisy Does America, she strives to conform to the sometimes-bizarre characters and situations she encounters and the results are unpredictable and hilarious.

Man Stroke Woman is a sketch show that is silly and joyous in tone. The IT Crowd joins the fun with a comical look at the sub-species of I.T. gurus working in the basement of Reynholm Industries – a surreal, and very funny, look at the underclass of a company. Comedy Inc. tickles funny bones with its mix of sharp, fast-paced humour and irreverence, featuring sketch, TV and movie parody, non-existent cable shows, ads for products that don’t exist and characters that will become fixtures of popular culture for years to come.

Ellender says, “FID has an unrivalled heritage of taking comedy to the world and we are pleased to continue the tradition with this extensive collection of sketch, sitcom, parody and observational humour. As a key genre for us, we are constantly working to identify, invest in and nurture the best up-and-coming writers and performers, to ensure that audiences will be laughing with FID for many years to come.

October 4, 2006
mobile2win inks deal for ‘Philippine Idol’

MUMBAI: mobile2win, wireless value added services enabler, has bagged the contract as the exclusive and official wireless aggregator for reality show Philippine Idol.

Under the terms of the agreement, mobile2win will handle the entire connectivity with all operators, back-end infrastructure, voting, collation and vote management for the 14 weeks of the show that’s being aired from 3 September 2006 on ABC 5, informs an official release.

The deal was inked with FremantleMedia, creators and producers of programme brands in the world and owner of the Idols format, after a pitch and selection process amongst several wireless aggregators in Asia.

mobile2win worked previously with FremantleMedia on Indian Idol, the local Indian version of the Idols format, and was responsible for creating a distinct mobile platform with distribution of all the latest and regularly updated content week after week across operators in India. mobile2win conceptualized and created the entire content for Indian Idol, including wall papers, animation, true tones, polytones, videos, colour logos, themes and an Indian Idol mobile game, adds the release.

mobile2win India country head Rajiv Hiranandani says, “The Idols format has always been tremendously popular the world over and the show’s interactivity gives viewers and even greater chance to participate in their favourite programme. Indian Idol was a huge success and winning the contract for Philippine Idol is indeed a great milestone for the company and mobile2win will strive to provide the best in terms of backend infrastructure.”

FremantleMedia’s VP licensing and interactive Asia Pacific Jon Penn said, “We chose mobile2win as they have done a fantastic job over several years for the voting and interactivity on Indian Idol. Their approach is systematic and professional and we know they will do a great job for us in the Philippines, one of the most “interactive” markets in the world.”

Based on the international award-winning Idols format the Philippine Idol judges include the famous trio, Ryan Cayabyab, Pilita Corrales and Francis Magalona, and the show promises a positive blend of humour, drama, action and suspense.

September 11, 2006
FremantleMedia promotes Gers to head up ancillary rights ops worldwide

MUMBAI: FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), has promoted Olivier Gers to general manager of FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide (FLW).

In this position, Gers will oversee the exploitation of FremantleMedia’s many strong brands off screen around the world and will be responsible for developing product and promotional associations that enhance and extend consumers’ experience of each property, including brand licensing, music publishing, online and interactive, sponsorship, live events and telephony. Gers will be based in New York and will report to FremantleMedia Enterprises CEO David Ellender.

Gers, who has been promoted from his previous role as FLW Americas executive vice president, will work together with Ellender to develop, set and implement the company’s ancillary rights strategic direction within the newly-created FremantleMedia Enterprises Group.

Ellender said, “I am really delighted that Olivier has agreed to take the helm of FLW. Since joining the company, Olivier has demonstrated a great ability to develop an innovative and hugely successful blend of ancillary rights options around some our key TV brands, working on international hits such as American Idol, The Price Is Right and Family Feud. He has made a significant impact on the growth of the business in the Americas and I am confident that, with his great talent and experience, he is the ideal leader to further build upon FLW’s existing reputation and success and further strengthen our position as leading ancillary rights experts around the world.”

Gers added, “I’m extremely excited to be taking on this role and leading such a talented team of executives from across the globe. FremantleMedia has developed some of the world’s preeminent entertainment brands and I’m looking forward to working with all our partners worldwide to bring these brands to the next level.”

August 23, 2006
FremantleMedia expands sales catalogue

MUMBAI: Fremantle Archive Sales, the clip sales division of format creator and distributor FremantleMedia has acquired worldwide representation rights for a raft of titles from Flame Television Production.

Flame produces formats in challenging subject areas.

Fremantle Archive Sales business development executive Sam Partner said, “We are delighted to be working with Flame and to add such a broad range of titles to our ever-expanding portfolio of programming. Flame’s catalogue offers some very topical titles, all of which will further diversify our already extensive catalogue and offer our clients an even greater invaluable resource.”

Documentaries acquired as part of the agreement include London’s Olympic Dream. The 45 minute special sees presenter, Kirsty Young, offer up an inside story into London’s 2012 Olympic Bid. Rude London documents a modern look at London and observes just how rude the city has become; Ann Summers Uncovered takes an in-depth look at the high street chain.

Blaming The Jews sees David Aaronovitch present a disturbing look at modern anti-Semitism. Back To Basics takes a serious look at the trend for British children of Caribbean origin being sent back to the Caribbean by their parents for a traditional education.

Factual entertainment titles include Digging For Jesus which sees presenter Nigel Spivey reveal the top ten archaeological discoveries which take us close to the man from Galilee. Cowboys meanwhile investigates the world of unlicensed minicabs drivers.

Light entertainment programmes include Celebrity Swaps sees celebrities transformed with the use of prosthetics, stylists and voice coaching. The Price Of Fame examines the dark side of fame. Cage Combat meanwhile follows the men and women who take part in the sport known as “ultimate combat” fighting.

August 2, 2006
Carter appointed as president of FremantleMedia Creative Networks

MUMBAI: FremantleMedia has appointed Gary Carter to the newly created position of president, FremantleMedia Creative Networks. It is a new division combining the currently separate departments of Worldwide Drama and Worldwide Entertainment.

He joins the FremantleMedia operating board with immediate effect and will report to FremantleMedia CEO Tony Cohen.

In his new role, Carter will build on FremantleMedia’s creative success in drama and entertainment programming. He will also be responsible for driving the company’s increasing emphasis on in-house programme development, working with its global network of more than 20 production companies, as well as coordinating with FremantleMedia Enterprises, which comprises its ancillary exploitation businesses, Fremantle International Distribution and FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide.

Carter will also continue in his role as chief creative officer, FMX (formerly known as New Platforms), part of FremantleMedia Creative Networks, working with producers to create new brands and concepts specifically for mobile, broadband, game consoles and IPTV (Internet Protocol Television).

Carter joined Worldwide Entertainment in January 2005, having been a consultant for the company since August 2003. He worked closely with the division to set the overall strategic and creative direction and the operational agenda. He also provided central support to the development, acquisition and exploitation of entertainment formats which have international potential, and drove entertainment development activities across the company globally.

Prior to setting up his own consulting business, he was executive director, programme affairs, at Endemol Entertainment International for five years and was responsible for the roll out of its key programme brands. Before joining Endemol, he was international business manager for Planet 24 Productions and a literary agent for Roger Hancock for almost 10 years.

Alan Boyd, currently president of Worldwide Entertainment, will be changing his role in the company. He will take on a new role as a special advisor to Tony Cohen, where he will have particular responsibility for consulting on the Idols and The X Factor franchises, as well as consulting on creative and company issues and producer training. He will also act as a special advisor to RTL Group CEO Gerhard Zeiler, consulting on programming matters and entertainment output across the RTL Group of channels as well as creative training for group executives.

Mike Murphy, currently President of Worldwide Drama, will also change his role. He will remain a key part of the Worldwide Drama team working on FremantleMedia serial dramas around the world, as well as focussing on building FremantleMedia’s scripted business in the US, a priority growth area for the company. He is currently executive producer on Bianca, a 20-part primetime telenovela that FremantleMedia first made in Germany and that FremantleMedia North America is now producing for US network Lifetime Television. Murphy will oversee production of the US version of Bianca in Australia.

Cohen said, “Gary is a very talented executive and will play a crucial role in future working with our producers to build on our tremendous success in scripted and unscripted programming around the world and to drive forward our in-house programme development. Mike has made a fantastic contribution to growing our international drama business over the past few years and I am delighted that he will now focus on the vital task of building on our scripted business in the US. I am also delighted that Alan has agreed to become a special advisor to FremantleMedia and RTL Group. He has done a tremendous job of overseeing the roll-out of the Idols brand and his years of production and commissioning experience will continue to prove a great asset to the company.”

Carter added, “I’m thrilled to have been given the opportunity to drive FremantleMedia’s creative output into the global market with our exceptional team of producers and executives in both drama and entertainment. I look forward to building on the fantastic legacy that Mike and Alan have achieved and I’m excited about the challenge of creating new hits for television as well as for new platforms and working with FremantleMedia Enterprises to ensure the company develops programmes with significant off-air, interactive and international distribution potential.”

July 19, 2006