FremantleMedia reports success with ‘Project Runway’

Fremantle International Distribution (FID), the distribution arm of global production outfit FremantleMedia, has announced that the hit US entertainment reality series ‘Project Runway’, has been sold in 21 territories worldwide.
Since acquiring the fashion reality series (10 x 60’, 1 x 120’ finale plus 1 x 60’ special), it has proven to be one of FID’s hottest properties in 2005. With broadcasters from Asia to Scandinavia declaring their passion for fashion, FID’s global sales team has worked to secure a slew of sales for the US programme, hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum.
In Scandinavia and Benelux, the programme has been licensed to RTL TVi, Belgium (French); Vitaya, Belgium (Flemish); Viasat, Denmark/Norway/Sweden; MTV, Finland and RUV, Iceland. Asian Pacific buyers clamoured for it, with 10 broadcasters in the region picking it up. They were: Lifestyle, Australia; TVB, Hong Kong; JAK TV, Indonesia; OnMedia, Korea; 8TV, Malaysia; TV3, New Zealand; Solar, Philippines; MediaCorp, Singapore; UBC, Thailand and Discovery, Pan-regional Asia.
From catwalks to catfights and all points in between, Project Runway also appealed to Teva, France; Polsat, Poland; Hotvision, Israel; Future TV, Middle East; MNet, South Africa and Discovery, Pan-regional Latin America.
The Emmy-nominated Project Runway gives talented and hungry fashion designers the opportunity of a lifetime - a chance to have their designs shown in front of the global fashion community in New York and displayed in the pages of Elle magazine. To earn this honour they have to compete against each other in a series of challenges that will determine who has what it takes to be the next ‘It’ designer. Through each challenge, a designer is eliminated, ultimately leaving one to claim their rightful place in fashion's spotlight.
Season Two premiered to acclaim on Bravo in the US in December 2005, and David Ellender, Managing Director, Fremantle International Distribution, has announced that it will play a key role in FID’s programming slate for MIPTV ‘06 in Cannes in April.
“Project Runway’s high production values and exciting pace, together with the glamour that fashion lends, all contribute to its wide-ranging appeal. We are proud of the sales we have achieved for Season One and are delighted to be bringing Season Two to market,” said Ellender.
(GB)