FremantleMedia Announces A Raft Of Deals Across Eastern Europe

David Ellender, CEO, FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), has announced a raft of deals concluded at DISCOP, totalling over 260 hours of programming to over 15 broadcasters across Eastern Europe.
Brokered by Veronika Gracher, Vice President Sales, German speaking Europe and Eastern Europe, the sales feature both new and catalogue programming from FME as well as a selection of internationally renowned formats.
FME’s portfolio of US drama series caused quite a stir in Budapest, with both Croatia and Poland picking up the smart and sexy drama series, 'The Best Years' (13 x 60’). Produced by Blueprint Entertainment in association with CanWest MediaWorks’ Global Television in Canada and The N, the night-time network for teens in the US, The Best Years follows a group of friends through the ups and downs of college life. 'Love You To Death' (13 x 30’), the dark, funny and unique scripted series also from Blueprint Entertainment and starring John Waters (director of Pink Flamingos, Hairspray, Cry-Baby) in his television series debut, has been acquired by Lithuania and Hungary, while the steamy and scandalous secrets of 'Monarch Cove' (1 x 120’ pilot plus 12 x 60’) will shortly be revealed to viewers of Poland, Croatia and Slovenia, with the latter two also acquiring the stylish family drama Falcon Beach (26 x 60’ plus 120’ pilot), along with Romania.
FME unveiled three one-hour documentaries from Atlantic Productions at DISCOP - 'Apollo 11: The Untold Story', 'Apollo 13: The Inside Story' and 'Superspy: The Man Who Betrayed The West' - all of which attracted great interest, with a pan Eastern European deal already concluded with Viasat. The deal also includes UK documentaries 'The Story of 1' (1 x 60’), 'Great Scientists' (5 x 30’) and 'Death In Santaland' (1 x 60’). 'Secrets Of The Great Plague' (1 x 60’) and 'Munich: The Real Assassins' (1 x 60’), also from Atlantic Productions, have been acquired by Slovenia together with 'Pioneer’s Naked Science' (32 x 60’), while Penguin Adventure With Nigel Marven has been picked up by Russia and Slovenia.
FME’s comedy slate continues to go from strength to strength, with the immensely successful Emmy-nominated sitcom 'The IT Crowd' (12 x 30’) acquired by Hungary and Bulgaria. In a package of comedy acquisitions, Bulgarian viewers will also get the chance to see 'That Mitchell & Webb Look' (12 x 30’), featuring the Rose d’Or-winning comedy duo David Mitchell and Robert Webb of Peep Show fame, Pulling (12 x 30’), the hilarious insight into single life from Silver River Productions and the second season of Comedy Inc (20 x30’) from Australia’s Crackerjack.
A number of format deals were also inked during DISCOP, including several of FremantleMedia’s hugely popular gameshow formats. Hungary has signed up to produce a local version of PokerFace; the Ukraine has optioned 'The Price Is Right'; while Serbia and Armenia have acquired rights to produce a second season of Going For Gold and Family Feud respectively. Internationally renowned entertainment formats also acquired include Got Talent by the Ukraine and a third season of Armenian Idol by Armenia. On the entertainment side, Romania has acquired the grime-busting format, 'How Clean is Your House' while Estonia will be producing Farmer Wants A Wife for local audiences.
(DS)