Million Dollar Catch, Chopper Squad Land Deals

LONDON: The factual series Million Dollar Catch has secured a number of sales in the U.K., Australia and Europe, while Chopper Squad has been notching up presales, with ALL3MEDIA International handing distribution on both titles.

Originally produced by Great Southern Television for TV3 in New Zealand, Million Dollar Catch follows deep-sea Cray fisherman. The series is set for broadcast on LIVING2 in the U.K., Seven Network in Australia, MTV3 in Finland, NRK Norway, SBS Denmark and W9 in France.

Chopper Squad, which has just been completed by Great Southern Television for TV2 in New Zealand, follows a helicopter paramedic team. This show has been presold to Bravo in the U.K. and Nine Network in Australia.

Liza Thompson, the VP of sales for ALL3MEDIA, said: “Great Southern Television have really worked hard to crack a successful formula for high-action factual entertainment, and I am delighted that LIVING2 and Bravo are taking both of these dynamic shows.”

 "By combining the skills of our film, drama and factual departments we feel we have found a recipe that makes factual television totally entertaining," says the creator and executive producer of both series, Philip Smith, of Great Southern Television. "We look closely at casting, at story development, at jeopardy and drama. By applying drama techniques to factual, we end up with great story arcs and characters throughout the factual series we produce. So rather than just looking at someone doing something—we heighten the tension, to ensure that every episode—of every show—has a clear beginning, middle and end—with hooks and characters that will pull the viewer happily through each episode. Million Dollar Catch and Chopper Squad luckily have inherent jeopardy and drama— which makes the task somewhat easier. Viewers in New Zealand have responded positively—Chopper Squad a number one show. The shows have clear international appeal—as illustrated by the strong demand for Million Dollar Catch, which reeks of excitement and jeopardy."