Fred Media, part of Australia’s WTFN Group, has announced that its drive for new partners has seen seven producers join its roster in recent weeks, bringing a wealth of new content to sit alongside new and returning titles from existing producer partners and WTFN. In total, Fred Media will be bringing more than 450 hours of programming to Cannes next month – making it the company’s biggest ever slate for MIPCOM.

The new content covers popular genres such as reality, factual, food, travel and kids, with a special focus this time on home/renovation and design titles.

Programming from New Producer Partners

Holiday Home Makeover with Rachel and Ryan (6×60’) follows the creative and determined husband and wife duo from The Block 2022, as they take on the challenge of transforming a tired, sprawling property into their dream holiday home. Produced by Rachel and Ryan Productions with Nine Network.

Also with a focus on renovation is the second series of Budget Battlers, (6×60’), this time from new partner Maker Media, set up by its creator, TV personality and presenter Jess Eva. Produced for Nine Network, this makeover show rallies communities to help renovate the entire homes of deserving people – all within a week and on a tight budget. It’s packed with tips, inspiration, drama and plenty of emotional stories.

From Luxury Escapes Travel comes three seasons (36×30’) of Luxury Escapes, a glorious show that sees some of Australia’s most loved personalities explore the world together on hand-picked, five-star holidays. It’s the ultimate insider’s guide to the best the world has to offer – but like any holiday with friends, what to do each day often proves up for debate!

Washed Away (1×90’), from Free Flow Films, is the gripping true story of the Northern Rivers floods, one of Australia’s worst natural disasters, detailing the devastation and how the local community fought to survive. It’s a raw and inspiring tribute to human courage and resilience.

The Lion Queen (12×60’) from Magnetic Pictures and Rockpool Media follows lion expert Andi Rive as she establishes a beautiful new lion orphanage and sanctuary in South Africa, despite the odds being stacked against her.

The final two new producer partners both bring kids’ and family content to the Fred Media catalogue.

Art Adventures with Fred and Pete (30×14’) and Fred and Pete’s Treasure Tales (30×14’), are, respectively, a high-energy art challenge series and an epic treasure hunt series, featuring an engaging comedic duo. Both are produced by Screen Glue for the BBC’s Cbeebies. From 1440 Productions comes three seasons of The Yes Experiment (35×30’), a fascinating show and format that puts families to the test with parents having to say ‘yes’ to every wild request from their children for an entire day – from ice cream for breakfast to camping in the backyard.

Returning Producer Partners

MWC Media returns to the Fred Media catalogue with a new series, Offline Travel (6×30’), following Mike Chapman as he disconnects from his phone and relies solely on local knowledge for authentic travel experiences. Significantly, MWC is also bringing its entire ByDesign catalogue (35 series and 200+ episodes for CBS in the US and Ten in Australia), which includes nine newer series across its various titles, such as America ByDesign, Hotels ByDesign, New York ByDesign and ByDesign Heroes. Produced with the support of leading architectural institutions worldwide and featuring renowned architects and cult-favourite designers, ByDesign exemplifies the very best in global design and has become the gold standard for this type of content.

Existing producer partner North Light Productions is handing over its entire programme catalogue to Fred Media to represent globally outside of the Americas. This features a number of brand new titles, including: Energy Matters (8×30’), uncovering the groundbreaking innovations driving cleaner, smarter and more affordable energy solutions; food show Local Menu with Shannon Bennett (6×60’), following the renowned chef as he travels Australia to uncover the country’s finest produce; and renovation shows Beyond the Build (5×60’), Cherie Barber’s Tiny Home Reno (1×60’) and Epic Build – The 90 Day Challenge (8×60’). There is also a brand new 10×30’ season of Open Homes, making 106×30’ episodes now available, alongside existing seasons of Ready Set Reno (20×30’), Renovate or Rebuild (16×60’) and Australia’s Best Pools (10×60’ + 20×30’) – all of which are new to the Fred Media catalogue for MIPCOM.

From producer Nine Network, there are three seasons of Antiques DownUnder (38×30’), following antiques dealer Gregory Bickford and collector Claudia Chan Shaw as they reveal intriguing stories behind rare treasures and curious collectables, plus 200×30’ episodes of kids’ show Theatre Dome, an entertaining and unconventional improv comedy show.

Finally, returning unscripted series with new seasons include Space Invaders S6 (8×60’), Paramedics S7 (10×60’) and Emergency S6 (10×60’) – all produced by WTFN, along with AFN’s The Fishing Show S11 (12×60’).

Roger Vanderspikken, Head of Operations & Acquisitions at Fred Media & Radar, says: “Through its Total Distribution strategy, Fred Media, together with its sister company Radar, offers a very compelling proposition to producers, and we are delighted that so many are trusting us to do the best by their content and maximise IP across every available platform, from traditional TV to FAST and YouTube channels. We grew out of a production business, so we truly understand producers, and our boutique size keeps us nimble, flexible and able to focus on our relationships.

“It is especially exciting to have so many new titles this year from areas that Fred Media has excelled in over the years – such as home renovation and design. Having specialisms like this means our team already knows where many of the best opportunities are and can move swiftly to capitalise on them. We are excited to arrive at MIPCOM and share this brilliant selection of new content with our network.”

Other posts by :

1. SES announces €0.25c dividend
2. Russia “blinding and destroying” German satellites
3. Bank: AST, Starlink, Kuiper targeting $200bn market
4. Rivada: Is no news good news?
5. SES celebrates Intelsat acquisition
6. Pakistan halts broadband direct-from satellite
7. India stymies Starlink launch
8. Starlink, AST SpaceMobile race for cellular consumers
9. Trouble ahoy for foreign D2D satellites over India?

Categories: Press Releases

Tags: BBC, fred media, MIPCOM