Beyond on the Lookout for U.K. Content

SYDNEY: Beyond Distribution is ramping up its efforts to add more U.K. content to its catalogue, covering genres such as drama, factual, factual entertainment and kids.

Yvonne Body, the head of co-productions and acquisitions at Beyond, commented, “Beyond has traditionally been known for content from independent producers in Australia and New Zealand. In fact a bigger percentage of our catalogue is from producers based in the U.S. and Canada. Our own production arm produces half its content for the Australian market and half for the U.S. market. However, our U.K. programming has been slightly under-represented until recently. Recent British acquisitions, such as Open Mind Productions’ Numberjacks, made for CBeebies, and Hot Cities and Love In The Time of HIV from Rockhopper TV have been very successful and we’re actively targeting other U.K. companies. At MIP Junior we launched two more CBeebies series: Iconicles from Create Media Ventures, being animated by Dinamo Productions in Wales, and Dot To Dot Productions’ Get Squiggling!. We are also delighted to have signed Tati’s Hotel from Cardiff’s Machine Productions, commissioned by CITV.”

Body and Hannah Trelwany, acquisitions executive, have already met with several producers on a range of categories, initially starting their search in London but continuing on to other regions across the U.K. over the next few months.

“There are great companies based outside London,” added Body. “We already have Medics, made for ITV in Carlisle by Brilliant Trees Media, and have entered into a drama script development deal with Manchester’s YoYo Media. As well as talking to well-established producers we’re keen to find the next up-and-coming companies.”