U.S. Dramas & Comedies Top Endemol Worldwide Distribution Lineup

CANNES: Endemol Worldwide Distribution has a host of American dramas and comedies to offer worldwide broadcasters this MIPCOM, including Happily Divorced with Fran Drescher, recently renewed for a second season, and The Exes with Kristen Johnston.

There is also the co-production with Entertainment One for AMC, the 10-part western Hell on Wheels, about the building of the transcontinental railway across America in the 1860s. "This series has it all—greed, corruption, revenge, love—set against the backdrop of the most potent turning point in American history," says Cathy Payne, CEO of Endemol Worldwide Distribution. Rounding out the U.S. scripted catalogue is TNT’s Leverage, back for a fifth season, bringing the slate available to 77 episodes.

Endemol is also showcasing a new Southern Star Entertainment drama for Seven Network in Australia called Wild Boys.

The U.S. scripted slate has become a key part of Endemol Worldwide Distribution’s business. Discussing the company’s goals over the next 12 months, Payne notes. “We are looking to secure renewals for our new North American scripted projects in Hell on Wheels and The Exes and further renewals of Hot in Cleveland, Happily Divorced and Leverage.  We will also be focusing on securing distribution of further North American scripted series through the newly launched Endemol Studios which will coproduce and co-finance drama with cable networks in the USA. We also have a strong slate of scripted coming through our U.K. drama business Tiger Aspect, which we will be working to co-finance across this period as we build that business. In addition to this we will continue our commitment to securing third party distribution focusing on broad audience scripted projects for both the tween and primetime audience.”

On the unscripted entertainment front, meanwhile, Payne says, “Our key franchises such as Extreme Makeover Home Edition, Fear Factor and Wipeout are becoming key franchises with good value for new DTT channels. They offer bulk in hours, broad audience and proven performance.”