Pre-market Oz sales for RTÉ

The distribution arm of Irish pubcaster RTÉ has sold a raft of shows to Australian buyers ahead of heading to MIPTV next week.

Australian free-to-air broadcaster Nine has bought 6x30mins show Garda Down Under (pictured), a 6x30mins ob-doc series from Encore Media about Irish police working in western Australia.

Also in Australia, pubcaster SBS has licensed one-off RTÉ-produced doc Sugar Crash in which weight-loss expert Dr Eva Orsmond investigates sugar-eating habits and explores the latest research excessive sugar consumption.

SBS has also picked up landmark doc series 1916, about the Irish Easter Rising, which is narrated by Hollywood star Liam Neeson.

Australia’s other pubcaster, the ABC, has bought two shows from RTÉ’s religion and ethics slot Compass.

The first, The Meaning of Life, sees veteran Irish radio and TV presenter Gay Byrne discuss life’s big questions with public figures.

The second Compass show is Pope Francis – The Sinner, a one off doc about how Jorge Mario Bergoglio, rose to become Pope.

On the pay TV side, RTÉ has shopped InProduction series Kitchen Hero: Feast, which follows young chef Donal Skehan as he meets quirky food producers.

“We have a well-established commercial history now with the Australian broadcasting community,” said  Edel Edwards, head of programme sales at RTÉ.

“Irish and Australian viewers share a natural affinity for similar content and this latest round of sales demonstrates that there is a real appetite for Irish content Down Under.”

RTÉ will be selling Garda Down Under, 1916 and the other above mentioned shows at MIPTV next week.