MIPCOM, 03 October 2011 – FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, today announced the sale of brand new drama The Wedding Band (10 x 1 hour) to broadcasters in the UK and Latin America.
Network broadcaster Channel 5 has picked up The Wedding Band in the UK and will premiere it on 5*, while Turner has acquired the series for TBS Latin America, syndicating it to over 48 countries across the region.The Wedding Band, originally commissioned by US cable net TBS, is a cornerstone of FME’s US cable drama strategy and part of its wider global commitment to develop and distribute high quality English language dramas for international markets.
The series follows a group of guys who try to escape the stress and strains of their everyday lives by performing in a wedding band. Anchored by lifelong best friends – Tommy, a perennial bachelor, and Eddie, a married father of two – the guys are weekend rock stars. Only they’re not crashing their way into the best parties – they’re paid to perform at them. The groupies are bridesmaids, the drinks are free and the dream is still alive. The band will stop at nothing to make every wedding, birthday or bar mitzvah a concert to remember.
Commenting on the sales, David Ellender, FME’s Global CEO, said, “Since the launch of our global drama strategy almost two years ago we have delivered a range of high-quality scripted content to audiences around the world, and The Wedding Band is just the first of several US cable projects we hope will follow suit. Part of our ambition is to work with the world’s leading talent, so we are delighted to be partnering with the award-winning producer Mike Tollin, to create a series that is already proving a success in international markets.”
Paul Fagan, Head of Acquisitions at Channel 5, said, "We're delighted to have secured The Wedding Band for 5*. It's the perfect blend of comedy and drama and will resonate very well with our audience whilst forming a key part of our 2012 schedule."
Ángel Zambrano, Vice President Content Acquisitions and Syndication Sales at TBS Latin America, said “The Wedding Band is a series that will perfectly fit on TBS. Our subscribers will really like this young and funny show.”
The deals were brokered by Justin Hatfield, SVP Sales – UK, Eire & Scandinavia for FME with Channel 5’s Head of Acquisitions, Paul Fagan, and Sheila Aguirre, SVP Sales & Development – Latin America & Hispanic USA for FME with Angel Zambrano, Vice President Content Acquisitions and Syndication Sales for TBS Latin America.
- ends -
Visit FremantleMedia Enterprises at MIPCOM 2011 at Stand No. RB1 Riviera Beach, Palais du Festival, 3 - 6 October 2011.
Notes to Editors
ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA ENTERPRISES & FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia is one of the leading creators and producers of entertainment brands in the world. FremantleMedia is part of the RTL Group, Europe's largest television and radio broadcast company, which is in turn 90 percent owned by Bertelsmann AG, one of the world's major media and entertainment companies. FremantleMedia’s worldwide production arm is responsible for many of the world’s highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama and factual entertainment programmes. FremantleMedia Enterprises is the brand extension arm of FremantleMedia, offering a one-stop-shop for all Licensing, Distribution and Home Entertainment around the world. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia North America, UFA, talkbackTHAMES, FremantleMedia Australia and Original Productions amongst others) has operations in 22 countries, one of the most comprehensive global networks, creating nearly 10,000 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and managing over 300 individual titles. FremantleMedia has some of the world’s most sought after and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally, produces such programmes as: Idols (co-produced with 19 Productions in the US), Hole In The Wall, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK), Take Me Out, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten, and Neighbours.
For more information please contact:
Jumana Rizwan
PR Manager
FremantleMedia Enterprises
Tel: 07775 035 317
Oliver Rawlins
Interim Head of Communications
FremantleMedia Enterprises
Tel: 07855 326 362
In London:
Mary Jones
Interim Sr. PR Manager
FremantleMedia Enterprises
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7691 6515
mary.jones@fremantlemedia.com