28 March, 2008
London, March 28th 2008, Fireworks International, the television distribution arm of ContentFilm plc, has signed several new programming agreements in key European territories for THE BORDER, HEARTLAND and JPOD following the company’s deal with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
THE BORDER, a compelling and fast-paced 26 x one hour crime series, has been licensed by RTL TVI in Belgium & Luxembourg, Beta Film has picked up the rights to continental Europe excluding French-speaking Europe, and Midnight Media has licensed the series for France. THE BORDER follows the elite Immigration and Customs Security (ICS) Unit as they face the most dangerous and complex border security cases.
Family drama series, HEARTLAND, a huge ratings success on CBC in Canada, has been licensed to Double V in France including Belgium, Luxembourg, French-speaking Africa and French-speaking Switzerland, and Beta Films has acquired rights covering continental Europe excluding French-speaking territories. This heartwarming 31 x one hour drama follows the ups and downs of the Fleming family as they deal with the imminent financial ruin of their family ranch, Heartland.
JPOD (13 x 1 hour), based on Douglas Coupland’s best-selling novel, has been acquired by Daro Films in Eastern Europe, CIS, Turkey, English speaking Africa and Portugal (FTV only) and by Beta Film for Flemish-speaking Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Finland and Italian speaking Europe, and by Spain’s Teuve Factoria de Canales. JPOD chronicles the amoral, lighthearted and often shocking adventures of Ethan Jarlewski (David Kopp) and four co-worker pals who are bureaucratically marooned in the bowels of a massive video game company.
Greg Phillips, President, Fireworks International commented, “These deals demonstrate the appeal of the shows to the European market and I believe that they will prove hugely successful with European audiences. Deals with licencees outside Europe are happily now underway and I am confident that we will be able to make further sales announcements after MIPTV.”
About Fireworks International
Fireworks International, a division of the UK’s ContentFilm plc, acquires and distributes an extensive slate of television programs, feature films and digital content throughout the world. Fireworks’ library of over 2300 hours of programming includes JPOD, thirteen-one hours of comedy drama full of amusing and evil twists; BLOOD TIES, twenty-two hours of mystery drama with a touch of the supernatural; HEAVY Worldwide’s newest comedy and animated series as well as library from the highly successful U.S. digital brand HEAVY.com; kids’ gothic horror comedy series YOUNG DRACULA from CBBC; comedy series THE JANE SHOW and mystery drama series WHISTLER; along with action/adventure series Gene Roddenberry’s ANDROMEDA, MUTANT X, and RELIC HUNTER; children’s programs BLACK HOLE HIGH, 100 DEEDS FOR EDDIE MCDOWD, CAITLIN’S WAY; plus over 200 U.S. network miniseries and TV movies of the week; and over 100 theatrical feature films, and specials including the 2006 and 2007 Annual U.S. PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS shows.
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For further information, please contact:
Fireworks International:Jennifer BrinkworthVice-President, Marketing and Communications
Tel + 00 44 (20) 7851 6517
www.contentfilm.com
