News round-up: Mega picks up Turkish dramas; ‘Open Season’ spin-off in works from 9 Story; Saffronic appoints creative director

A Little Sunshine

Mega picks up Turkish dramas

Chilean network Mega has picked up Turkish dramas A Little Sunshine and Wounded Heart following a deal with distributor ATV.

Produced by New Generation Media for Turkish broadcaster ATV, the series tracks the life of Elif, whose world is turned upside down when she realises her husband had a daughter with another wife who she never knew about.

“I’m thrilled to extend our business relationship with Mega TV by featuring two phenomenal TV series. Realistic plot and marvellous chemistry between the two main characters in A Little Sunshine and also Wounded Heart’s dramatic and love-focused story appeal to all audiences around the world.

“We believe that both titles will conquer the hearts of audiences in Chile.” said ATV’s head of sales; Americas & MENA, Emre Görentaş.

Open Season: Call Of Nature

‘Open Season’ spin-off in works from 9 Story

Brown Bag Films, part of Canada’s 9 Story Media Group, is in production on a new 2D animated comedy series based upon characters from the 2006 Sony Pictures Animation film Open Season.

The 52 x 11-minute Open Season: Call Of Nature will be premiering on ABC Australia, Wildbrain in Canada, Discovery Kids in Latin America and France Télévisions in 2024.

Created for children aged 6-11-years-old, the series follows best friends Boog, a lovable, risk-averse grizzly bear, and Elliot, a fast-talking, ‘act-first, think-later’ deer. When the pair discover an abandoned summer camp in the middle of nowhere, they embark on an adventure to create a new place to live where animals get to embrace their inner wild.

9 Story Distribution International has worldwide distribution rights for the series.

“Open Season is a classic animated film franchise that has entertained kids all over the world since debuting in 2006,” said Vince Commisso, president & CEO of 9 Story. “We are thrilled to be working with Sony Pictures Animation to bring their beloved characters to new audiences with a brand-new action-packed comedy series.”

Saffronic appoints creative director

India-based animation and VFX studio Saffronic has appointed Universal 1440 Entertainment exec Kevin J. Johnson as its first executive creative director.

In his new role, Johnson will collaborate with Kristy Scanlan, the company’s recently appointed SVP of business development to foster relationships with new and existing clients.

Based in Los Angeles, Johnson most recently served as supervising director at Universal 1440 Entertainment on the last four seasons of Curious George. Prior to that, he directed the animated feature Dog Gone Trouble, distributed by Netflix.

His appointment follows the arrival of Skyler Mattson as Saffronic’s first CEO last month.

Saffronic, which has worked on shows including Gabby’s Dollhouse, Dragons: The Nine Realms and Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, was founded in 2022 by Tim Sarnoff and Vince Pizzica.

Court Martial: Soldiers Behind Bars

Channel 5 orders ‘Soldiers Behind Bars’

Channel 5 in the UK has commissioned Emporium Productions to produce Court Martial: Soldiers Behind Bars.

The 3 x 60-minute observational series follows serving soldiers who are convicted of serious civilian or military crimes as they serve their sentences at the army’s own detention facility, the Military Corrective Training Centre (MCTC).

From sex offenders to deserters to violent criminals and fraudsters, new detainees are faced with the strict daily regime of MCTC, introduced to the uncompromising rules they must follow, and the ultra-disciplined behaviours expected of them. 

Guy Davies, commissioning editor, non-scripted, Channel 5/Paramount+ said: “The regime at MCTC is tough and uncompromising, which this series really captures. It’s raw and revealing, with real insight into what happens when a military career hits the rocks.