Shaftesbury’s Life with Derek Heads to DVD

TORONTO, April 4:
Shaftesbury Films’ has licensed the DVD distribution rights for the first three
seasons of its kids’ live-action comedy series Life with Derek to KOCH Vision.

The deal, which includes a
total of 52 half-hour episodes, was concluded by Program Partners, which also
serves as U.S. representative on Shaftesbury’s drama series ReGenesis and The Listener. The DVDs are slated for release in the fourth
quarter of 2008.

Life with Derek is a half-hour comedy series about a modern
blended family, which has forced together two strong-willed teenagers, Casey
and Derek, each accustomed to being in charge and each determined to keep it
that way. The series was created by Daphne Ballon and commissioned by Family
Channel in Canada.

Life with Derek has been translated into more than 14 languages
and airs in more than 100 countries worldwide, including the U.S., France, the
U.K., Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Latin
America, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. It
is produced by Shaftesbury Films and distributed internationally by Shaftesbury
Sales Company.

“Life with Derek has a proven track record for consistently delivering
great ratings and enduring entertainment for the tween and family audience,”
said Shane Kinnear, the VP of marketing and sales for Shaftesbury Films. “KOCH
will be invaluable as they take our brand into home entertainment. We are
delighted to be working with such a reputable and well established partner.”

“Over the past few years, there has been an explosion in tween
entertainment, and Life with Derek is a perfect example of the
genre at its best,” said Michael Rosenberg, the president of KOCH
Entertainment. “As we continue to expand the KOCH Vision catalogue, we’re
thrilled to have the opportunity to distribute such high-profile,
family-friendly programming.”

—By Ned Berke