Singapore Tourism Board backs HBO Asia original; three-year deal across Warner Bros Discovery properties kicks off with Mark Wiens food show
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is backing the creation of a multi-genre slate across Warner Bros Discovery (WBD) properties, kicking off a new three-year original content partnership deal with HBO Asia Original food series, “Food Affair with Mark Wiens”.
The series promises to “take audiences on a gastronomic journey through Singapore’s rich and diverse dining scene”.
Premiere dates have not yet been announced.
The alliance announced today spans the creation of original entertainment and lifestyle content and joint marketing “to spotlight and inspire travel to destination Singapore”.
“The partnership leverages WBD's expertise in storytelling and global distribution network to entertain audiences through reimagined perspectives of the city,” the companies said in today’s announcement.
The MoU signed commits to “original localised stories spanning a variety of genres – from scripted formats like drama serials and animation, to reality-based productions such as mini-documentaries – to showcase Singapore globally”.
Clement Schwebig, WBD’s Singapore-based president/MD for India, SE Asia and Korea, said in the announcement that the strategic partnership with STB would create original shows that “will bring to life the people, culture and spirit that make Singapore unique as a destination, delivering impactful stories to local and international audiences”.
Japan’s Nippon TV, Turkey’s Sera Film unveil first co-developed format
Japan’s top commercial broadcaster Nippon TV and Turkish indie producer/distributor Sera Film Turkey unveiled their first co-developed format, studio game show “Baby Shower”, on the opening morning of the Mipcom market in Cannes today.
“Baby Shower” (30x120 mins) follows April’s announcement that the two companies had partnered to create unscripted formats for the global market.
The family format features two groups of expectant parents, family and friends, who join forces to win prizes of baby items.
The companies said this morning that the format was “about showing emotional support for expectant parents, while making them feel that they are not alone in welcoming and raising children”.
Nine Network Australia greenlights dating show, “My Mum, Your Dad”; first APAC market to pick up ITV Studios’ format
Australia’s Nine Network has greenlit a local version of ITV Studios’ new reality dating format, “My Mum, Your Dad”.
The show, produced by ITV Studios Australia, will air this year.
“My Mum, Your Dad” follows a group of single parents who have been nominated by their teenage kids for a second chance at love.
The Australia acquisition was among the 10 ITV Studios spoke about today as Mipcom opened in Cannes.
Versions of the format, created by father-daughter duo Greg and Hayley Daniels, are also headed for ITV in the U.K. and TV4 in Sweden in 2023.
ITV Studios said the show was being made in six more territories. Including the U.S., this brings the total to 10.
The six as yet undisclosed markets will be announced by the commissioning broadcasters/platforms, ITV Studios said.
Harbour Rights picks up 150+ hours of Martin Cleave content for global distribution
Hong Kong-based documentary distributor Harbour Rights and New Zealand’s 2B Media have sealed an exclusive partnership to distribute about 150 hours of factual and documentary content created by Martin Cleave, the companies said today.
Titles include 30-episode half-hour series, “Code 1 Extreme” and 18-episode, “Living with Tourette”, along with multiple series about hunting and fishing.
Ongoing projects in development, such as “Vets Unleashed” and “My New Brain” are also covered in the deal.
Cleave, whose past partners have included Fremantle and Banijay among others, called his long-term alliance with Harbour Rights a “reset” in a dramatically changed distribution landscape over the past two decades.
Nippon TV adds assassin fish to Japanese schedules in new deal with GRB Studios
Japanese commercial broadcaster Nippon TV has picked up fish assassin title, “When Fish Attack II”, from GRB Studios.
The factual deal, announced this morning as the Mipcom market opened in Cannes, is part of a raft of global licensing agreements unveiled by Hud Woodle, GRB Studios’ EVP for international sales and operations.
“When Fish Attack II” is an in-depth look at unexpected attacks by fish with victims and marine experts.
Netflix backs Purin Pictures’ short-film camp; second edition runs in Bangkok this December
Netflix and Purin Pictures have selected a dozen director/producer teams from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar in an expanded version of their annual short film camp, which will be held in Bangkok in December this year.
Twelve teams of filmmakers from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar have been selected to take part in the second edition of the 10-day filmmaking workshop, Netflix said today.
Participants will be mentored by professional filmmakers during the dual-track programme for producers and directors.
The workshop includes a live pitch of short film projects, where four winners will receive funding and post-production support to produce their short films.
“The workshop aims to give an opportunity to filmmakers from less developed countries in Asia Pacific,” Netflix said.
Five teams from Thailand will participate in this year’s workshop along with four teams from Myanmar, two from Cambodia, and one from Laos.
Their films cover a wide range of topics, including family drama, LGBTQ, political repression and the deconstruction of identity.
Last year’s winners produced “My Bee’s Knees” (directed by Tinshine Mont, produced by Christine Flemming); “Blazed Away” (directed by Supamart Boonnil, produced by Ratthathammanoon Supapootorn); and “Dear You” (directed by Muendaw Kamontum, produced by Kataporn Sae-ieb).
Philippines’s SkyCable ends wait for Russia Today signal; finally ditches RT
Philippines’ platform SkyCable has finally pulled the plug on Russian government-backed TV service, RT (Russia Today), saying that it had been unable to access content since March this year and that it would no longer hold space on the dial.
The spot on SkyCable was pulled on Friday (14 October).
Other platforms in Asia pulled the channel and filled the gap much earlier, saying the channel had been suspended at source and its position on their dials would no longer be available.
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