Australia’s Seven Network Forms U.K. Production Outfit

March 5, 2014 World Screen Top Stories
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SYDNEY: The Seven Network in Australia has aligned with key executives from Maverick Television to create a new U.K.-based venture, 7Wonder.

7Wonder will focus on the creation of new TV programs and formats, initially for the U.K. market. It is a joint venture between Seven, Alexandra Fraser, Liza Abbott and Simon Ellse. Fraser was joint CEO at Maverick Television, responsible for the company's creative output for nearly two decades. Before joining Maverick, Abbott was a key production executive at ITV in the U.K.

Tim Worner, the CEO of Seven West Media, said: “Seven West Media is the leading content company in Australia with some of the most successful brands and franchises. The Seven Network is recognized as the leader in Australian produced television programming. Our success is built on our ability to create and own compelling content, and to deliver that content to the biggest audiences across our media platforms. 7Wonder underlines a key part of our strategy for today and in the future: the expansion of our presence in the production of content.”

Brad Lyons, Seven's director of production, said: “Seven is recognized as a leader in the development and production of Australian television. We are driving our own future with the programs and content we create and leverage, and we are making deliberate and considered moves into new opportunities not only for our own primary market in Australia but increasingly in international markets.

7Wonder forms a key element in our plans. And, we couldn't be happier to be joining with people we have known and regarded highly over a number of years. Alex and Liza have a terrific track record of success. They have passion, ideas and at Maverick ran a great business. We're looking forward to working with them in the next phase of their careers in this new joint venture as we focus on the growing U.K. market.”

Fraser added: “Liza, Simon and I knew from the outset the partner we wanted was Seven so we didn't do a 'beauty parade' or go to market. It was very important to us to be in a creative partnership and enjoy a two way sharing of ideas. With support from Sydney, we're able to keep over heads to a minimum and so our model is built around 'putting money on screen.' 7Wonder will be working across all genres—embracing the rich entertainment portfolio that Seven has created and also building and developing new programs and formats that will reach an international audience.”