NEWS MEDIA RANCH SELLS SEX CONFESSIONS QUEBEC-based independent TV producer and format agency Media Ranch has sold True Sex Confessions (26 x 30 mins) to Canada’s French-language lifestyle and entertainment channel MOI&Cie, which is aimed at women. Each episode features three intimate stories of ordinary people, with themes exploring a wide range of topics surrounding sexuality and addressing a number of misconceptions with fun facts and stats. “True Sex Confessions is our latest original format. A lighthearted blend of personal testimony and dramatic reconstruction combines to retell some extraordinarily exciting stories that prove that fact is really more compelling than fiction,” president of Media Ranch, Sophie Ferron, said. Media Ranch is premiering the finished series, an English-language pilot and the format this week at MIPTV.
Opposite Worlds brings Banijay and TV Zone Media together
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LOBAL distributor Banijay International has signed a deal with China’s TV Zone Media for the format rights to the US adaptation of Opposite Worlds, a competitive reality format that originated in Chile. The Canal 13 original format continues to score high ratings in Chile every week. In the show, 20 people from all walks of life are mixed together in two opposing teams that live in
two distinctly different worlds — the past and the future. The past is a constant struggle for survival; the future is a utopia where every wish can be granted with a push of a button. Each week, players compete in a series of challenges to determine who lives in which world. For the losing team, three contestants currently living in the past will be nominated for eviction from the game — by other players on the show and by view-
ers at home. The last man and woman left standing receive a cash prize. The 12 x 60 mins US format, which airs twice a week (a pre-recorded and a live eviction show), is now being actively pushed across Asian territories. “This is our first deal with TV Zone Media but we have been in pre-market discussions for some time and we are delighted to license the US version to a new Asian producer,” Banijay’s Jimmy Humphrey said.
TV Zone’s Chen Wudong (left); Banijay’s Emmanuelle Namiech; TV Zone’s David Tang; and Banijay’s Jimmy Humphrey
JETPACK PROPELS SHOWS TO MBC
France joins Canada in comedy pact
JETPACK Distribution has secured a deal with Middle East broadcaster MBC covering 62 hours of programming for their kids’ channel MBC3. It includes a package of new series such as Jamie’s Got Tentacles (52 x 11 mins) and Invisible Network Of Kids (26 x 24 mins). Dominic Gardiner, CEO of Jetpack Distribution, said: “Jetpack’s portfolio offers a broad range of programming from pre-school to fast-paced action series and docu-drama. We look forward to working with MBC as our brands roll-out in this key territory.”
A FRENCH-Canadian pact will see Paris-based producer Kabo Family and Quebec-based Contenu QMI co-develop comedy formats. A new show will be based on Kabo Family’s successful Pick’n Mix sitcom model, which con-
sists of individual comedy sketches that can be assembled to order. The French company’s distribution arm, Kabo International, will distribute the co-venture’s new programming. For Contenu QMI, the Kabo alliance follows similar co-develop-
Contentu QMI’s Andre Provencher (left) and Kabo Family’s Christian Baumard
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ment deals with Israel’s Armoza Formats and France’s TF1 Production. The company’s vice-president of creation and international development, Andre Provencher, said the Kabo partnership would intensify Contenu QMI’s strategy of producing properties with global appeal, while helping it to showcase Quebec’s talent and know-how on the international stage. Christian Baumard, CEO of Kabo Family, added: “This development deal will allow us to blend our creative forces to create new projects with strong international potential. We feel this European/North American alliance will yield some exciting formats over the coming months.”