14 August, 2007
London 14 August 2007: Fireworks International has today announced a raft of deals for the stylish crime thriller Blood Ties, which will see the 22 x one-hour drama set to air in a range of territories worldwide.
Created by award-winning producer and writer Peter Mohan, Blood Ties, based on Tanya Huff’s best-selling ‘Vicki Nelson’ novels known as the ‘Blood’ series, charts the misadventures of ex-cop turned private investigator Vicki Nelson (Christina Cox). In the UK, Virgin Media Television channel Living has snapped up the series for airing in summer 2007 as part of its primetime schedule. NBC Universal has licensed the series for Calle 13 for Spain, Andorra and Portugal; STAR has licensed the series for its Star World channels for Asia; Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has acquired the series for its AXN channels in Italian speaking Europe, Latin America and Israel; whilst Tele Muenchen Fernseh GmbH & Co has committed to the series for Germany. Further licenses confirmed for Blood Ties include Orion Cinema Network, Inc. for audiences in South Korea, SABC for South Africa, and Euro TV for French speaking Europe and French speaking Africa.
Produced by Toronto’s Kaleidoscope Entertainment Inc. and Vancouver’s Insight Film Studios in association with Citytv and SPACE, and airing on those channels in Canada, Blood Ties follows Vicki Nelson, a gorgeous and determined 29-year old whose world is turned upside down after witnessing a horrific murder. She finds herself caught up with a mysterious stranger who is also investigating the murder — Henry Fitzroy (played by Kyle Schmid; A History of Violence) — a 450-year old vampire who just happens to be the bastard son of King Henry VIII. After solving the murder, Vicki finds her new venture into supernatural crime is far from over as she is drawn into more intriguing cases involving a terrifying pantheon of occult adversaries. Vicki and Henry’s unlikely alliance soon progresses beyond a purely professional arrangement, creating a love triangle dilemma for Vicki and her long-suffering ex-partner in policing and love, Detective Mike Celluci (played by Dylan Neal; CSI Miami).
Kaleidoscope’s President, Randall Zalken, commented, “Blood Ties has far exceeded expectations. The fans are awesome…the broadcasters supportive and the press flattering overall for our romantic vampire love triangle adventures.”
Greg Phillips, President, Fireworks International, added, “Blood Ties has generated great attention from broadcasters worldwide since its launch and these deals are testament to the quality and universal appeal of the series. We are confident that the drama will prove a hit with international audiences.”
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 2000 hours of programming includes BLOOD TIES, twenty-two hours of mystery drama with a twist 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 U.S. 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.
About Kaleidoscope Entertainment Inc.
Kaleidoscope Entertainment Inc. is a 25 year young independent Toronto, Canada based entertainment ‘boutique’ of companies active in television distribution, licensing and marketing, DVD/video distribution as well as production and foreign dubbing.
About Insight Film Studios
Incorporated in 1990, Insight Film Studios is Western Canada’s fastest growing independent production company. It ranks as the region’s single largest High-Definition television producer and the second largest production company in Canada. The company’s client list includes all national Canadian networks, as well as Sony, NHK Japan, Lifetime, Sci-Fi Channel, Cinetel, TFI France and Telecinco Spain.
###
For further information, please contact:
Fireworks International:Jennifer BrinkworthHead of Marketing
Tel + 00 44 207 851 6518
www.contentfilm.com
Kaleidoscope Entertainment Inc:Lisa RosePublicistTel + 416 443 9200
Insight Film Studios:Meaghan Cochrane PublicistTel + 604 623 3369 x 301
