Passion Distributes 200 Hours in Pacific Rim

LONDON: Over the last three months, Passion Distribution has sold more than 200 hours of programming to broadcasters in the Pacific Rim region.

Living Channel in New Zealand snapped up a number of food-related shows, including Scripps Networks International’s Brunch @ Bobby’s (season 3), the third, fourth and fifth seasons of Rachael Ray’s Week in a Day and season seven of Cupcake Wars. Top TV took Carter Can (seasons 5-7), West End Salvage and You Live in What from Scripps Networks International.

BBC Worldwide went for Daybreak Pictures’ The Politician’s Husband and the second season of Ricky Gervais’ An Idiot Abroad. Derek, another scripted comedy from Gervais, is headed to ABC in Australia. Oscar Pistorius: What Really Happened?, a fast turnaround doc from Mentorn Media, was licensed by New Zealand’s TVNZ and Australia’s ABC2. Also in Australia, the format rights were optioned for Mentorn Media’s Paradise Hotel and Take My Mother in Law.

Foxtel picked up a package of titles that includes Scripps Networks International’s The Vanilla Ice Project (season 3), West End Salvage, You Live in What? and the first two seasons of The Outdoor Room with Jamie Durie. The network additionally opted for Motorway Cops (season 5) and Traffic Cops (season 10) by Mentorn Media. Also part of the deal are Timber Kings from Paperny Entertainment and the seventh season of Ghost Hunters from Scripps.

Maria Ishak, the senior sales manager for the region at Passion Distribution, remarked: "Being an established and favored distributor for the region and following our recent merge with Mentorn International, Passion is now in a fortunate position of being able to provide a wide range of top quality programming into Australia and New Zealand. It also helps that I am regularly visiting the clients and continually strengthening my relationships with the buyers. From BBC2’s drama hit The Politician’s Husband, to quick turnaround docs such as Oscar Pistorius: What Really Happened?, we are now in a better and stronger position to offer broadcasters the best of the best."