London TV Screenings deals round-up (AM)

A Remarkable Place To Die (Source: Banijay)

Banijay sells NZ drama

ZDF in Germany, Acorn TV in the US, and TVNZ in New Zealand have co-commissioned murder mystery series A Remarkable Place To Die.

The 4 x 90-minute show was created by Screentime New Zealand and is co-produced with Real Film Berlin in association with Banijay Rights, which will distribute globally.

The series follows smart and savvy detective Anais Mallory (Chelsie Preston-Crayford) as she returns to her hometown, Queenstown, to be met with a series of startlingly different and intriguing homicides amidst the backdrop of past ghosts.
However, it’s the secrets surrounding her father and sister’s deaths that truly draw her back, and, as she sets about unravelling these most personal of mysteries, she will set in motion an even more desperate cover up – one that will ultimately threaten the only family she has left.

Hagen (Source: Fremantle)

Fremantle takes ‘Hagen’ rights

Fremantle has acquired global distribution rights, outside of German speaking territories, to fantasy drama series Hagen (working title), from Constantin Film

The deal, brokered by Rebecca Dundon on behalf of Fremantle and Friedrich Radmann on behalf of Constantin Film, includes rights to a six-part series and a feature film. RTL group holds German streaming and free TV rights.

Based on Wolfgang Hohlbein’s bestselling novel Hagen von Tronje, the series is a reimagining of the medieval Nibelungen folk saga. Bound by duty and loyalty to the kingdom, Hagen is a soldier and Lord Commander ready to serve and stand by his King. But he has a secret, he is deeply in love with Princess Kriemhild – a love that will never be permitted.

ITVS launches ‘Side Hustlers’

ITV Studios is launching business reality format Side Hustlers, from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, to the international market.

The format follows six determined entrepreneurs who have 40 days to transform their side hustles into investment worthy main hustles.

Mentored by expert investors, Emma Grede, CEO and co-founder of Good American, and supermodel and entrepreneur Ashley Graham, the format provides real people with a life-changing opportunity by putting them through a high-stakes boot camp, sharing the tools, resources and expertise they need to quit their jobs and pursue their dreams.

The series is executive produced by Reese Witherspoon, Sara Rea, Sue Kinkead, and Elizabeth Sandorff, on behalf of Hello Sunshine alongside Grede, Graham and Kimberly Goodman who also serves as showrunner. The original format in the US is produced by Hello Sunshine for The Roku Channel and is also available as a finished programme.

Also announced today, Scared of the Dark, from ITV Studios-backed MultiStory Media for Channel 4, will travel to Germany as Amazon MGM Studios orders a local version. The German series will be produced by Bildergarten (part of ITV Studios) under the local title Licht Aus.

Meanwhile, SBS6 in the Netherlands has ordered a full series of the reality game show A Party To Die For (local title Moordfeest), the ITV Studios Netherlands and Talpa Studios format.

Sony & WBD strike ‘Dance’ deal

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) and Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) have struck a deal to adapt reality format So You Think You Can Dance for the Nordics and Benelux.

Premiering in the US in 2005, the format has since been made in 32 countries around the world and spawned a Next Generation Junior version in Netherlands and Poland.

WBITVP has optioned the title for six of their European production companies. The deal covers the Netherlands, Belgium (Flemish), and across the Nordics in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.

‘Food Tales’ travels to UK & Singapore
Mediacorp streamer mewatch in Sinagpore and Paramount-owned UK broadcaster Chanel 5 have both picked up O4 Media’s Food Tales.

Launching in June, the four-episode series showcases the distinct world of hawker delights, championing the fusion of food and culture. Audiences are guided through an exploration of diverse cultures and cuisines, delving into the tapestry of hawker history, unique ingredients, and culinary techniques.

“We’re thrilled to again extend the reach of Food Tales via mewatch and Channel 5. Recognising the profound role that food plays in the tapestry of Southeast Asian culture, we’re looking forward to sharing the captivating stories and experiences of each dish and Hawker owner with viewers across the region,” said O4 Media founder and MD Gary Pudney.