Companies to produce initial slate of four blockbuster dramas
MIPTV, Sunday 1st April, 2012 – FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has announced at MIPTV that it has entered into a major first-look deal with internationally-acclaimed producer Justin Bodle, to develop and globally distribute ambitious new dramas, mini-series and movies for television.
Today’s deal will see FME and Bodle develop and produce an initial slate of four blockbuster dramas, the first of which – Fire of London (w/t) – is an epic four hour television mini-series which dramatises the terrifying effects on the families, politicians and people living in London and questions how the world would react were the legendary events of 1666 to repeat themselves in the new millennium.
Bodle has created such impressive, premium slate drama series as The Day of the Triffids, Flood, Colditz, Archangel, Crusoe, Ice and XIII: The Conspiracy, which between them have sold to more than 240 broadcasters – including NBC, BBC, Channel 4, ITV, CBC and CTV & Global in Canada, TF1 and RTL – and been seen by millions of viewers around the world.
David Ellender, Global CEO of FremantleMedia Enterprises, said, “Justin has collaborated with the world’s most respected broadcasters to produce a powerful new generation of dynamic, big event drama. It’s hugely exciting for FME to be partnering with someone of Justin’s creative vision and ambition. This deal significantly expands our existing portfolio of English language drama for international audiences and underlines FME’s status as one of the industry’s foremost creators of quality content.”
Bodle added, “FME’s unrivalled track record and global reach make it the most impressive partner in the industry. This deal gives me the opportunity to do what I do best and produce what international audiences love the most – epic appointment-to-view television that captures the imagination of millions.”
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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, FremantleMedia UK, 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:
Mary Jones
Interim Sr. PR Manager
FremantleMedia Enterprises
Tel: 020 7691 6515
Oliver Rawlins
VP Global Communications
FremantleMedia Enterprises
Tel: 07855 326 362
In London:
Jumana Rizwan
PR Manager
FremantleMedia Enterprises
Tel: 020 7691 6114 / 07775 035 317
Jumana.Rizwan@fremantlemedia.com