Sony Pictures Television Buys Australian Producer Playmaker

SYDNEY: Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is building out its international production business with the acquisition of the Australian indie producer Playmaker Media, which is behind the drama House Husbands.

As part of this agreement, SPT’s distribution arm will now sell Playmaker programs and formats throughout the rest of the world. Formed in 2009, Playmaker is led by producers David Taylor and David Maher. The outfit is behind the popular drama House Husbands, which has been renewed for a fourth season by Nine Network and is about to be adapted in France and Italy. Playmaker's coming-of-age drama Love Child is headed into its second season and has sold well internationally. Its recent hit The Code, produced for Australia's ABC TV, has been picked up in the U.K. (BBC) and the U.S. (DIRECTV).

Andrea Wong, the president of international production for SPT, said: “Playmaker is having fantastic success creating the next generation of distinctive, high-quality Australian television drama. They are a great addition to our international production group and we look forward to working with David and David to continue to build their award-winning company."

Maher and Taylor, co-founders and joint managing directors of Playmaker Media, added: “We love producing authored drama with the best Australian writers and creatives. This next step with Andrea Wong, Wayne Garvie and the team at Sony Pictures Television presents new opportunities to increase the quality and reach of our content both locally and in the international marketplace.”