|
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Studio 23 inks deal to air 'Desperate Housewives', 'Lost'
* Multi-year deal includes features and first-run animated series
BUENA Vista International Television-Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP) has concluded a multi-year licensing agreement, which includes a first-ever features package, with Studio 23. This announcement was made by Steve Macallister, senior vice president and managing director of BVITV-AP and Leo Katigbak, managing director, Studio 23 and vice president of ABS-CBN.
Under the deal, Studio 23 and ABS-CBN have licensed a strong raft of programming that includes blockbuster features and a Disney Adventures branded block and award-winning reality and live action series. These include "Desperate Housewives" and "Lost", two of the hottest shows of the year.
"Desperate Housewives", winner of two Golden Globes, is enthralling audiences and smashing records as it launches across the globe - it is currently licensed to over 130 territories worldwide. It is an ensemble drama that takes a darkly comedic look at suburbia, where the secret lives of housewives aren't always what they seem.
"Lost", from J.J. Abrams, the creator of "Alias", and Damon Lindel of "Crossing Jordan" is an action-packed adventure of a plane crash in the South Pacific and the survivors who must work together to stay alive on this mysterious island. It currently airs on ABC on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. and attracts on average of 17.8 million viewers for an original episode.
"BVITV's strong portfolio is a complement to Studio 23's commitment to bringing the very best in entertainment to the marketplace," said Macallister. "We look forward to Studio 23 experiencing the same impressive audience following that Lost and Desperate Housewives have had around the Asia Pacific region."
Katigbak added, "Studio 23 is the ideal home for Lost and Desperate Housewives strengthening further our already formidable line-up of US shows. Studio 23 has been on the cutting edge of programming and promotions, and BVITV has been a strong supporter of our various efforts so this deal was a no-brainer and is a natural progression of our years of doing business. Studio 23, ABS-CBN and BVITV have been friends in the business for many, many years and this fits right in with our slogan "Studio 23 ...ka-barkada mo' (your gang)".
"Lost and Desperate Housewives are expected to further increase Studio 23's profile as one of the more intelligent and daring players in the Philippines' competitive television industry. Studio 23 already attracts some of the most desirable viewer demographics in the Philippines today."
The multi-year agreement will include studio features from Touchstone Pictures, Spyglass Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures such as M. Night Shymyalan's worldwide box office hit Signs, the romantic comedy "Sweet Home Alabama" starring Reese Witherspoon and "Shanghai Knight" featuring international action-star Jackie Chan. The movies will be featured prominently on parent network ABS-CBN's marquee movie slot.
Included in the agreement is seasons seven and eight of the two-time Emmy Award-winning reality series "The Amazing Race" in which 11 teams, each with a pre-existing relationship, race around the world for a million dollars. In addition, the critically acclaimed series "Alias" will explode into its fourth season on Studio 23 with Golden Globe winner and media sensation Jennifer Garner playing the beautiful yet deadly double agent Sydney Bristow.
"The Disney Adventures" branded timeslot is a weekly one-hour block that will offer contemporary Disney animated fare for children and families. It will include the free TV premiere of Disney's "Kim Possible" as well as "Lilo and Stitch". The block is scheduled to air this fall on parent network ABS-CBN.
For BVITV-AP, the agreement was negotiated by Mark Chan, sales manager. The deal was also announced in the May 27 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. (PR)
(June 2, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
|
