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SYDNEY – New British entertainment formats will soon hit Australian television following a deal between distributor BBC Worldwide and production group FremantleMedia Australia. Under the deal, announced on Monday, FMA will produce shows for the Australian and New Zealand markets from the BBC entertainment catalog.
The production partnership includes current library and future general entertainment formats.
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FMA currently makes programs like The X Factor for the Seven Network, Australia’s Got Talent for the Nine Network and Project Runway and Grand Designs Australia for Foxtel.
Jon Penn, managing director of BBC Worldwide Australia and New Zealand, said the deal will both grow BBCWW’s content business and provide “more exciting commercial opportunities offscreen.”
“There is huge potential in our entertainment formats catalog, but in order to fully exploit this, we needed a partner who could bring excellent production skills and the ability to create multiplatform brands to the mix. FremantleMedia Australia has a proven track record in both these areas,” Penn said.
“This is a key plank of our strategy going forward, and I am delighted that we have found the best partner to help us to realize this,” he added.
Ian Hogg, FMA regional CEO of Australia/Asia Pacific, said: “FremantleMedia and BBC Worldwide have a shared DNA for creative excellence. We very much look forward to working with the BBC Worldwide ANZ leadership team. This is a powerful partnership that will be transformational for both companies.”
shows … so there’s still demand.””]
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