Seven, Beyond partner for LA venture

Australia’s Seven Network and Beyond International have launched a new production and marketing company in LA to create content for the North American market.

The venture, 7Beyond, will see Seven and Beyond coproduce programming through their Seven Productions and Beyond Productions arms, with Beyond Distribution selling the content on the global market.

7Beyond has tapped Ryan Seacrest Productions’ senior VP Michael Krupat, development, to oversee development and sales. He is behind series such as Food Network’s Chopped.

Beyond has been working in the US market for nearly three decades, creating long running shows such as MythBusters, Taboo and Deadly Women, while Seven Productions will commission, create and produce nearly 700 hours of television content. The unit is behind shows such as My Kitchen Rules, Border Security, Home and Away and Packed to the Rafters.

Brad Lyons, director of network production for the Seven Network, said: “This business is expanding dramatically. A key focus for us is taking our ideas and our content further into international markets. This strategy involves partnering with strategic alliances such as this venture with Beyond.”

Beyond’s executive VP and general manager John Luscombe added: “Joining forces with Australia’s largest producer and leading free to air network is a great way to expand our long standing production business in the United States.”