MUMBAI: Twelevision format creator and distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) has further expanded its drama development portfolio with the announcement of a new first-look deal with Hollywood film and TV producer Barry Josephson?s production company, Josephson Entertainment.

As part of the deal, Josephson Entertainment has hired a new VP for Television, Tia Maggini, who will work alongside FME senior VP of global content Jeff Tahler and FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) senior VP of scripted programming Tony Optican to develop new drama projects for the US cable and global TV market. A number of projects are already underway, including thriller ?The Dover Agenda?, for which a pilot script is currently being developed for Syfy in the US.

Josephson is a film and television producer, who has established mainstream success through numerous motion pictures, television series and specials across a variety of genres. Josephson?s film credits include ?Enchanted?, ?Life As We Know It? and ?Hide and Seek?. He is also at the helm of the television drama ?Bones?, which is entering its eighth season on Fox. In addition Josephson currently has projects in development at TNT and AMC.

Fremantleedia Enterprises Global CEO David Ellender said, ?US cable drama is now the most consistently compelling content anywhere on television. Having identified the opportunities that exist on these networks, FME is partnering with the industry?s most prominent talent in order to help create high quality dramas that not only work for US audiences but which also have worldwide appeal. With several exciting projects already in the pipeline, our deal with Josephson is off to a flying start.?

Josephson said, ?I am very excited to work with Tony Optican, Jeff Tahler and their entire team at FremantleMedia. They have been very aggressive about securing rights for new material and strengthening our network relationships.?

Maggini joins from Disney Channel Original Movies where she was responsible for acquiring new projects for the channel, working directly with writers to develop original ideas. Prior to this she held the role of Senior Executive at Marc Platt Productions for five years.

Since the launch of the company?s global drama initiative three years? ago, FME has signed first look deals with producers. These have resulted in a number of series commissions from broadcasters across the world, with recent examples including ?Wedding Band?, produced by FMNA for TBS in the US, and ?Hit And Miss? for Sky Atlantic in the UK, created by Paul Abbott?s production and development company AbbottVision.

MUMBAI: European entertainment network RTL Group has appointed C?cile Frot-Coutaz as CEO of television format creator and distribution company FremantleMedia.

Cecile will be based in London and take charge from 1 July 2012.

C?cile, currently FremantleMedia North America (FMNA) CEO, will succeed Tony Cohen who will step down to focus on his non-executive work.

RTL Group co-CEO Guillaume de Posch together with Anke Sch?ferkordt said, "After being with the group for 17 years, C?cile has the vision and leadership that are needed to further grow FremantleMedia. She brings expertise and drive from the largest TV market in the world and combines her creative skills as a producer with a sharp business perspective. I am very happy to welcome her at the helm of RTL Group?s production arm."

Incidentally, Cohen transformed FremantleMedia from a collection of individual entities into a global content power house. Under his leadership, the company has become the pre-eminent producer of the hit prime-time global entertainment formats in dozens of countries, a top distributor and brand licensor, and a rapidly growing force in online and mobile gaming, branded entertainment and kids.

Cohen said, "FremantleMedia?s extraordinary creative and commercial achievements this last decade have been due to the talent and skill of its leadership team and staff, to our great partnerships with major talent and to our shareholder?s unwavering support. I am grateful to them all and to have been part of the company?s amazing journey."

As the FremantleMedia North America CEO, C?cile currentlyoversees the development, production and business operations of over 600 hours of network, cable and syndicated programming. Under her guidance, FMNA currently produces some of the most innovative and successful event entertainment on television, including the multiple Emmy-nominated musical/reality show American Idol on the Fox network. Other titles produced by FMNA are The X Factor (Fox), America?s Got Talent (NBC), Family Feud (syndicated), The Price Is Right (CBS), and the scripted series The Wedding Band.

MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia celebrates the entertainment format ?The X Factor?s success as the format reaches 40 territory sales. TV4 in Sweden and Rustavi 2 in Georgia have become the latest broadcasters to acquire the sensational Syco owned format created by Simon Cowell and produced or licensed by FremantleMedia around the world.

?The X Factor? has launched in nine new territories since the beginning of last year alone, including India, Chile, Kazakhstan, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania and the USA, where it was Fox?s number one autumn new series launch for five years. This blockbuster ratings-winner has been the number one programme in Denmark for the past five years, with an incredible 40 per cent of the population tuning in. The X Factor is also the number one programme ever for Italy?s Sky Uno and has been the UK?s number one show for the past two years in a row.

FremantleMedia president, worldwide entertainment Trish Kinane said, "The latest sales of The X Factor cement the format?s position as one of the leading entertainment shows of this generation. This blockbuster format has enjoyed immense success all over the world and continues its remarkable track record of re-commissions, topping ratings lists and inspiring audiences in multiple territories worldwide. We?re extremely proud of the creative and commercial strengths across the FremantleMedia network that have seen formats like The X Factor thrive."

Syco Entertainment head of international George Levendis said, "The X Factor continues to build spectacularly season on season, launching in the US in 2011, being the most watched show in the UK and the breakthrough success in Australia and Italy last year. We are thrilled with the on-going progress of The X Factor as we work alongside FremantleMedia to produce and licence the format in many more markets in the future."

MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia is showcasing entertainment formats, factual entertainment, exciting game shows and light-hearted comedy.

Competition is fierce as home cooks battle for the life-changing chance to have their original recipe turned into a sensational product for the nation?s supermarkets in Recipe to Riches, whilst in 1001 Things You Should Know contestants are challenged to test their ?common knowledge? as experts or celebrities quiz them on things that they really should know.

Big family format, Little Goliaths, pits adults against lofty benchmarks set by children in a range of unexpected challenges. Emotions run high in Help! My House is a Mess as an individual whose unhealthy compulsion to hoard gets the help they need to rebuild their lives and their homes. Fractured Families ? The Long Ride Home follows estranged parents and children as they undertake a tough adventure to re-build their damaged relationships. The gloves are on for original Japanese style game show The Boxing Glove, hidden camera fun and comedy antics are abound in Hit The Road Jack and family entertainment show Everyone Loves Animals spoofs the most recognised of TV formats, the news! Heritage shows Blockbusters, Man-O-Man and Play Your Cards Right round off FremantleMedia?s broad-based slate of international formats.

Trish Kinane, President of Worldwide Entertainment, FremantleMedia, said: "This is going to be another extremely exciting market and FremantleMedia?s MIPTV slate includes a strong line-up of fantastic new programmes in genres that continue to inspire audiences. We have a great mix of comedy, factual entertainment and game shows featuring some big new formats that are sure to make viewers laugh, cry and definitely keep them entertained! We also have some timeless heritage formats that are proven ratings winners and audience favourites that are perfectly suited to broadcaster?s schedules the world over."

Recipe to Riches is a new reality competition series that sees home cooks battle for a cash prize and the chance to have their original recipe chosen to be transformed into a new product to be sold in the nation?s supermarkets.

Created by Temple Street Productions, Recipe to Riches kicks off with a cross-country search for everyday cooks with extraordinary recipes in a new food category each week, from Sweet Puddings and Pies, to Cakes, Appetizers, Main Courses, or Sweet and Savoury Snacks. The top three finalists in each category fight for their recipes to be selected as category winner and to get their hands on a weekly cash prize. The winning recipes are transformed into products that are then immediately made available in grocery stores nationwide, allowing viewers to taste what they?ve seen being made on the show, before they cast their vote to decide the ultimate Recipe to Riches champion.

Family comes first with Little Goliaths, the big format which proves that size doesn?t matter. Little Goliaths sees adults test their skills against the lofty benchmarks set by talented youngsters in a range of challenges from arm wrestling to golf, spelling to speed-parking, and more. The kids think it?s a fun game, but for the adults it?s a little more serious as they challenge themselves to win a cash prize as they take on the towering targets set by their pint-sized adversaries. This entertaining new format from RTL Group and Next Big Thing is for the family with exceptional ratings already in Brazil, launching as the No.1 show in its timeslot with a 25 per cent share of all households.

The fun continues with 1001 Things You Should Know, the addictive new quiz game where contestants are quizzed by experts or celebrities on "common knowledge" questions that they really should already know the answer to ? but embarrassingly, often don?t! They aren?t rewarded for getting those right ? they really should know the answers anyway - but by answering them correctly our contestants can unlock trickier questions which can earn them lots of cash, and build up their pot against their opponents.

In 1001 Things You Should Know, it?s only by knowing what you should that will see you in with a chance to take home the winnings. This light hearted new game show is brimming with jeopardy and comes from FremantleMedia UK?s label, Thames.

When it comes to physical game shows, no one does it quite like the Japanese! The Boxing Glove is an original game show from Fuji TV in which every question is set by the ultimate Quiz Master, a giant boxing glove travelling towards the players at the speed of an express train. Only a correct answer can stop the glove, guaranteeing a funny and frantic game show that takes the Hole in the Wall concept to a whole new level. One wrong answer, one moment of hesitation, one slip of the tongue equals disaster ? a punch like Mike Tyson, and an icy bath.

Everyone Loves Animals sees one man and his ?dog? host a spoof news programme featuring amusing animal-based clips packaged and presented as news stories. The anchor and his ?newshound? (played by a comic actor) provide expert analysis and differing perspectives on hilarious news from the animal kingdom. Filled with humorous interactions and insight into the special and unique relationship that exists between one man and his dog, Everyone Loves Animals from Talkback is a fun show for the family. From criminal cats to piano playing pugs, this is the news as you?ve never seen it before, and it?s coming soon to BBC in the UK.

The comedy continues on tour with Magnum Media show Hit The Road Jack which sees a comedian travelling the country looking for local strangers to accommodate him. All the while, he is preparing for a live stand up gig about the area. Recently launched on Channel 4 in the UK, the show is a particular hit with young viewers.

Rounding off FremantleMedia?s packed slate of hit shows is a trio of heritage formats reimagined for modern audiences. Cult classic Blockbusters challenges contestants to answer a series of letter-based questions, guiding themselves to victory across the Blockbusters board, and is set to relaunch on Sky?s Challenge TV in the UK. Sassy dating show Man-O-Man puts ten men at the mercy of an audience full of women in a series of elimination challenges to demonstrate their dating credentials, while Play Your Cards Right is the international hit format that keeps generations of viewers glued to their screens with contestants answering questions as they try to take control the cards in a series of fun games.

MUMBAI: Japanese broadcaster Fuji Television Network and FremantleMedia Asia, the Asian arm of television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia, have formed a strategic co-development partnership focussing on supplying new television formats to Asia to maximise opportunities for business development and growth in the ever-expanding regional market.

FremantleMedia Asia and Fuji TV will work closely to build a steady content pipeline for viewers across Asia, co-developing, co-producing and rolling out fresh television formats as well as amplifying the success and business opportunities of each other?s existing formats in local Asian territories.

FremantleMedia Asia CEO Ian Hogg said, "The Asian marketplace is thriving and this new deal between Fuji TV and FremantleMedia Asia will capitalise on opportunities to develop our Asian businesses more aggressively and deliver powerful new programming throughout the region. Fuji TV?s years of outstanding success, know-how and huge popular appeal make them a perfect partner for FremantleMedia Asia, with our expansive knowledge of local markets and a stronghold in several territories across Asia. We are very much looking forward to working more closely with Fuji TV to leverage our joint creative production, programming and business expertise in the region."

This new deal in Asia enhances and builds upon the success of the global Creative Exchange Alliance between Fuji TV and FremantleMedia which saw highly experienced senior creative staff from both companies? global production teams undertake placements in each other?s businesses, and resulted in the creation of such smash hit global programmes as Total Blackout, one of 2011?s most widely travelled formats.

Fuji Television Network senior executive director, programming and production Akihiro Arai said, "We have enjoyed a strong and successful working relationship with FremantleMedia globally in format sales, development, and most recently with our Creative Exchange Alliance.This new deal with FremantleMedia Asia will harness our mutual creative strengths and capabilities along with our unique local experience and track record to develop attractive new television formats that are c

MUMBAI: Television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and online video service Hulu have announced a new first look deal for international distribution rights to the online video service?s original commission programming.

This is the first time an international distributor has signed such an agreement with an online video service. The deal enables FME to distribute Hulu original series globally across all platforms including traditional media.

The first title FME will take to the global market is Morgan Spurlock?s acclaimed documentary series, ?A Day In The Life?, which Hulu premieres for a second season on Hulu and the Hulu Plus subscription service.

Hulu?s foray into long-form original content kicked off in 2011 with the premiere of A Day in the Life, which chronicles a complete day in the life of some the world?s most fascinating humans, from billionaire entrepreneur Richard Branson and street artist Mr. Brainwash to multi-platinum Black Eye Peas front man, will.i.am.

The second season features chef Mario Batali, the Roots drummer and frontman Questlove, comedian Marc Maron, hip-hop duo Das Racist and more. Morgan Spurlock gives viewers a 24-hour snapshot of his subjects? lives on a day that may be ordinary to them but feels extraordinary to viewers.

FremantleMedia Enterprises global CEO David Ellender said, ?This is a ground-breaking deal, which sets a new precedent for acquiring content that can live on both digital and linear platforms, while dentifying opportunities outside of the traditional distribution models. We are delighted to be part of Hulu?s ambitious push in to the production of original programming and to be offering audiences across the world access to innovative new shows like A Day in the Life.?

Hulu senior VP of content Andy Forssell said, "As we expand into original series, we?re collaborating with some of the world?s greatest independent storytellers to make and distribute great TV. Through this new partnership with FME, we now have the opportunity to extend the reach of these distinctive stories like Morgan Spurlock?s ?A Day in the Life,? on a global scale."

With its original programming, Hulu provides opportunities for independent storytellers to produce and distribute their work across its optimised distribution platform. Hulu recently launched its first original scripted series, ?Battleground?, a drama with comedic moments set in the world of political campaigns.