PASSION DISTRIBUTION'S PROGRAMMING POPULAR IN AFRICA
22nd July 2013 - Passion Distribution continues strong sales in Africa, placing over 150 hours of programming into the region in the last quarter.
Seed Entertainment has acquired a host of Passion titles for free to air broadcast across the continent, including the hit comedy LIFE’S TOO SHORT (7 x 30’ & 1 x 60’ Special) which was produced for HBO and BBC in association with Backlash Productions, the Mentorn Media documentary MURDER ON HONEYMOON (1 x 60’) and two OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network shows, IYANLA FIX MY LIFE (13 x 60’) produced by Harpo Studios and BEVERLY’S FULL HOUSE (8 X 60’) which is a Good Clean Fun production. MNet has licensed season 5 (13 x 60’ & 1 x 90’) of RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE, produced by World Of Wonder, in a Pan-Africa deal after seeing great success from the previous 4 seasons.
Ahead of its channel launch across Sub-Saharan Africa, Ebony Life has picked up the celebrity reality series LIFE WITH LA TOYA (10 x 30’), produced by World Of Wonder for OWN, the show follows the highs and lows of the infamous La Toya Jackson. Ebony Life has also picked up season 6 (65 x 30’) of Game Show Network’s long running series THE NEWLYWED GAME, produced by Embassy Row, LOVE TRIANGLE (32 x 30’) which is from 3 Ball Productions also for Game Show Network and ADDICTED TO FOOD (8 x 60’), a Tijuana Entertainment production for OWN.
Seeing the success from previous seasons, African Business Channel has also licenced a number of lifestyle shows to air across Sub-Saharan Africa, namely COWBOY TRAP season 4 (30 x 30’) produced by Mentorn Media for BBC, DEAR GENEVIEVE season 3 (13 x 30’) which is a Leopard Films production for HGTV, OVER YOUR HEAD season 3 (13 x 30’) an LMNO Cable Group production for HGTV and season 3 (13 x 30’) and season 4 (13 x 30’) of WASTED SPACES, a Rivr Media production for The DIY Network.
Other deals in the region include two agreements for the international hit show DYNAMO: MAGICIAN IMPOSSIBLE, season 1 -3 (12 x 60’) which was picked up in Ghana by Viasat and in Kenya by NTV. Furthermore, South Africa based producer Coal Stove Pictures has signed an option agreement for the WORST DRIVER format, which has already been produced in over 17 territories.
Nick Tanner, Sales Executive in the region for Passion Distribution says “The dynamic TV market in Africa continues to grow apace. At Passion we are seeing particular demand for distinctive entertainment programming featuring relatable characters, aspirational lifestyle shows and opportunities to develop hit international formats.”
