Fremantlemedia Enterprises And Insight Productions Strike Development Deal

FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME) and Insight Production Company have announced an overall development financing deal between the two companies which also extends their current first look agreement.
The first look agreement brokered in 2006 will increase in dimension as the companies begin to concentrate on co-funding the development of new projects.
The agreement was brokered by Jeff Tahler FME VP Acquisitions Americas, Lisa Honig FME VP Program Distribution North America and Jane Rimer, International Creative & Business Development for Insight.
Offering FME a first look at distributing Insight's projects and Insight the first option for the Canadian market for new FremantleMedia formats, the agreement has seen the companies work together closely on local versions of the highly successful 'Canadian Idol' and the Emmy-nominated fashion reality series developed by Miramax and The Weinstein Company, 'Project Runway Canada' / FME is to launch 'The Jon Dore Television Show', an Insight production, in association with The Comedy Network, for international sale at MIPCOM 2008.
The pooled development resources, together with a focus on seeking out co-venture opportunities, are expected to drive the creation of new scripted and non-scripted content.
A number of new projects are already underway as a result of the collaboration of these two major global players.
Jeff Tahler, FME VP Acquisitions and Development Americas, commented: "Having worked closely with Insight in recent years, the quality of their programming slate and understanding of the global TV market has become increasingly apparent.
"We quickly realised that it was in both companies' best interests to expand our current relationship to become involved with their projects at an even earlier stage."
David Ellender, the boss of FremantleMedia Enterprises, commented: "Insight is a very valued partner to FME. We are extremely happy to continue working with them in close proximity and are excited to see the fruits of this extension to our relationship."
John Brunton, President and CEO of Insight Production Company, added: "Our first look agreement with David Ellender and his talented team at FME has resulted in some tremendous successes both in Canada and abroad. The addition of this significant development fund will open entirely new opportunities to create exciting new content."
Barbara Bowlby, who is Executive Vice President of Insight Productions, said: "Insight and FME have proved to be a perfect fit. In a short period of time, we have created hour upon hour of engaging programming that resonates with Canadian viewers."
Projects already underway at Insight and FremantleMedia Enterprises include a new version of the 'Ripley's Believe It Or Not' TV franchise that will be unveiled at MIPCOM later this week.
The project will be done in partnership with Ripley Entertainment, a division of the Vancouver-based Jim Pattison Group, and shopped in the US market by the William Morris Agency.
Further information is available at: www.fremantlemedia.com and www.insighttv.com.
(KMcA)