ITV

Tag: project runway

  • FremantleMedia International completes momentous multi-year, multi-format deal with MBC Group

    FremantleMedia International completes momentous multi-year, multi-format deal with MBC Group

    MUMBAI – FremantleMedia International has completed a landmark multi-year deal with pan-Arab media conglomerate, MBC Group. The agreement will see the renewal of both the pan-Arab versions of Idol and Got Talent for three more seasons. In addition, MBC Group has taken the pan-Arab format rights to the Syco TV which created the hit entertainment format, The X Factor and the globally renowned fashion competition, Project Runway. These two shows will also be commissioned for three seasons each.

     

    FremantleMedia International SVP Middle East, Africa and South Eastern Europe Anahita Kheder said: “We are immensely proud to be the first company to have completed a deal of this magnitude with MBC Group. Together we have already launched the very successful pan-Arab versions of Arabs Got Talent and Arab Idol; both of which were propelled onto the international press stage. The Middle East region has evolved a great deal in recent years with audiences wanting something a little special, and with the introduction of The X Factor and Project Runway, MBC will deliver just that. We are enormously excited to continue our partnership with MBC to introduce more future audience favorites to its enormous Middle Eastern reach.”

     

    MBC Group TV director Ali Jaber said: “MBC is always keen on delivering premium content coupled with the best TV productions in the MENA region. With the introduction of global formats, such as Idol and Got Talent, amongst others, a couple of years ago, they soon became top-rated TV shows and have created unprecedented engagement with the audiences on multi-platforms.” Jaber added: “It only makes sense that we renew our contracts with FremantleMedia – thus keeping the momentum of these formats at its peak.

     

    We are delighted with this partnership that helps to bring the best TV global practices to our region while allowing our own creative teams to excel, deliver and succeed.”

     

    Arab Idol became immensely popular in 2013 with Mohammed Assaf, a former wedding singer from Gaza, winning the competition in the second season. The MENA region united as Assaf’s finale performance generated viewership over five times higher than the broadcaster average. The Idol format, co-owned by FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment, has now been produced in 51 territories worldwide.

     
    Arabs Got Talent’s third season made international headlines when Syrian dancing troupe, SIMA, was declared the winner in the competition. The Arabic version of the format became MBC4’s number one show in both 2012 and 2013 consecutively. Co-owned by Syco Entertainment and FremantleMedia, the global Got Talent phenomenon officially became the Guinness World Records’ most successful reality TV format worldwide in April this year and has now been commissioned in 65 territories worldwide.

     

    MBC’s remarkable list of programs will be enhanced by the addition of the international singing competition, The X Factor for the very first time. The pan-Arab version will take the format to 51 territories internationally. While the format is owned and created by The Syco Entertainment, it is also co-produced and licensed by FremantleMedia worldwide. Since the launch of The X Factor UK in 2004, the British-born TV show has been watched by more than 360 million people around the world and can be seen in almost every country on earth. The X Factor format has discovered and launched more international break-out artists than any other singing competition show, with more than 160 million record sales by The X Factor artists globally.

     
    The fashion reality series, Project Runway on MBC will also showcase its first pan Arab version. The program gives aspiring fashion designers the chance of a lifetime as they compete through a string of demanding challenges to have their collection shown at a major catwalk show. The winner also gets featured in a leading fashion magazine. The Weinstein Company owned, Project Runway has become the most successful fashion format worldwide having been produced in 23 territories including the US, Australia, Canada, Latin America and the UK.

     

  • David Ellender is FremantleMedia Enterprises CEO

    David Ellender is FremantleMedia Enterprises CEO

    MUMBAI: Television format crestor and distributor Fremantle has announced that David Ellender who is currently Fremantle International Distribution (FID) MD, has been promoted.

    He is now FremantleMedia Enterprises CEO. He also joins the company’s operating board. Ellender will now oversee both FID and FremantleMedia Licensing Worldwide (FLW) – the two commercial divisions that report into FremantleMedia Enterprises. FID has a global network of sales offices and licenses over 19,000 hours of programming including American Idol, The Apprentice: Donald Trump, Project Runway and Jamie Oliver series to 150 countries worldwide as well as handling DVD exploitation through Fremantle Home Entertainment.

    FLW exploits the company’s brands including Idols, The X Factor and The Apprentice across multiple off-screen platforms including merchandising campaigns, interactive and wireless support and music publishing.
    Under Ellender’s leadership FremantleMedia Enterprises will continue to build on its position and its ability to exploit brands in partnership with FremantleMedia’s international network of 25 production companies around the world. FremantleMedia Enterprises is already a substantial contributor to FremantleMedia’s overall profitability.

    FremantleMedia CEO Tony Cohen, said: “David has led FID superbly over the last few years, turning it into a distinctive and very profitable distributor of a huge range of factual, entertainment and scripted programming, representing both leading independent producers as well as our own extensive catalogue. He has been responsible for a great turnaround in the division’s operations and his promotion is highly deserved. FLW has also been one of the great success stories of our company in the last few years, both commercially and in the great scope of its activities, from traditional licensing through to telephony and interactive. FLW has an outstanding management team and is now one of the world leaders in its field.”

    Ellender says, “I am very proud of my achievements strengthening FID’s portfolio of programming over the last few years and building up a superb team of sales executives. We have worked very hard to establish FID as a leading international distribution company. I am grateful for the opportunity to oversee FLW and look forward to increasing Enterprises contribution to the company going forward.”

  • Fremantle Media signs deal for ‘Project Runway’ with Discovery Asia

    Fremantle Media signs deal for ‘Project Runway’ with Discovery Asia

    MUMBAI: Fremantle International Distribution (FID), the distribution arm of global production outfit FremantleMedia, has announced that the hit US reality series Project Runway, has been sold in 21 territories worldwide.

    The Asian channels that picked it up include Discovery Asia, Austalian channel Lifestyle, TVB in Hong Kong and Jak TV in Indonesia.

    For the uninitiated the Emmy-nominated Project Runway gives talented and hungry fashion designers the opportunity of a lifetime – a chance to have their designs shown in front of the global fashion community in New York and displayed in the pages of Elle magazine.

    To earn this honour they have to compete against each other in a series of challenges that will determine who has what it takes to be the next “It” designer. Through each challenge, a designer is eliminated, ultimately leaving one to claim their rightful place in fashion’s spotlight.