TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX SIGNS HISTORIC LICENSING DEALS WITH NETWORK TEN AND FOXTEL IN AUSTRALIA
Groundbreaking free-to-air TV and subscription TV agreements over first run general entertainment programming
Los Angeles, USA / Sydney, Australia – 16/17 May, 2006
In the first such deals in Australia, Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution has awarded long-term future Australian television rights to Network Ten (TEN) and FOXTEL.
The landmark agreements were announced today by Mark Kaner, president, Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution; Grant Blackley, chief executive officer – television, Network Ten; and Kim Williams, chief executive officer, FOXTEL.
This is the first time a major US studio has apportioned first-run rights across both free-to-air and subscription television in Australia and marks a completely new approach to international program supply agreements.
Although free-to-air and subscription networks have collaborated in the past — by sharing sporting rights and in Australian drama production — no general entertainment programming arrangement on this scale has previously occurred.
From July 2007, TEN and FOXTEL will share the selection of first run telecast opportunities to new Fox series.
The multi-year agreements will deliver a long term supply of proven, demographically targeted, high quality US series — in a commercially efficient manner — that TEN and FOXTEL can promote as unique and first run to their audiences.
TEN will have preferential entitlements in selection and volume among the new Fox series each year. These series will premiere exclusively on TEN, and FOXTEL will have subsequent opportunities to broadcast them.
FOXTEL will enjoy premiere rights to the Fox series it selects, marking the first time FOXTEL will premiere Fox series on Australian television. TEN will have access to these series following an exclusive window for FOXTEL.
Mark Kaner commented: “We are very excited to have reached these agreements with Network Ten and FOXTEL. As our business evolves, there will be an increasing need for studios and broadcasters to work together in crafting new ways of providing the best content to the consumer, and the arrangement we’re announcing today can serve as one of the templates for the future.”
Grant Blackley said: "We are delighted to expand TEN’s long-standing relationship with the highly respected and prolific Twentieth Century Fox. Our partnership will provide TEN's core television business with greater future programming certainty in an increasingly competitive environment. This very pragmatic and efficient arrangement secures TEN’s long term access to demographically targeted series."
Kim Williams said: “This is a major advance for FOXTEL and subscription television. Securing first-run rights from such a successful creator as Twentieth Century Fox will give consumers even greater incentives to subscribe. Fox is a world-leading producer and distributor of series television and they have always been a major program partner to FOXTEL. Our relationship has now moved to an exciting new level, and our agreement recognises the growing significance of subscription television in Australia.”
TEN’s chief programming officer, David Mott, added: “We're proud to bring the Twentieth Century Fox deal back home to TEN. In every respect, it is a great fit for TEN, who we are and what we represent, and we’re very excited about the projects Fox has in development. Twentieth Century Fox is such an active studio, and this deal gives TEN scope to telecast new Fox series either at the same time they make their US debuts or in the following year. We know from overseas experience, too, that a limited window on subscription television can heighten awareness of a show before it goes to free TV. So, this deal works for everyone."
FOXTEL’s executive director of television and marketing, Brian Walsh, remarked: “This new contract provides FOXTEL with a regular, long term supply of first run series for our flagship entertainment channels, particularly FOX8. For FOXTEL, it will mean we will broadcast new major Hollywood series concurrent with the US television season. This is a first for the Australian television entertainment market and means our subscribers will be watching the new hit shows at the same time as audiences in the US and Canada. This landmark and historic deal will help ensure FOXTEL’s continued growth and success in the Australian market,” he said.
Twentieth Century Fox has been one of the most successful international studios over a long period, creating hits such as X-Files, Ally McBeal, The Simpsons, NYPD Blue and – more recently – 24, Futurama and Prison Break.
I hope this can give the TEN sp a kick along.
Regards, Snake13.
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