pb going into showbiz?

A MINING magnate who gave away more than $300,000 on TV's Secret Millionaire has launched his own production company in the hope of boosting the cash-strapped local TV industry.

Self-made businessman and father of six Peter Bond, the Linc Energy CEO who this year cracked BRW's top 10 richest executives list with $572.6 million, has launched Rough Diamond, a company which will concentrate on feel-good viewing.

He is also setting up a community program foundation which will benefit directly from Rough Diamond's profits.

Although in its infancy, the company already has four shows in development.

"I'm not trying to reinvent the television medium but I think there is an opportunity going begging for some really worthwhile television that taps into larger belief systems," the Camden-born businessman said.

"There's definitely an opening for good family viewing and we have some shows in development at the moment that are really, really exciting. It's good television that makes you think."

In 2009 Bond gave $100,000 to two Redfern charity groups and $100,000 to three individuals in the Channel 9 show - and struck up a rapport with series narrator Russell Crowe.

While making Millionaire he said he was "extremely humbled by [the experience] and a little ashamed I'm not doing more".

"This is not about making money," he said.



http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/tv-bid-by-giving-mining-magnate-peter-bond/story-e6frewz0-1226041155505