‘ELSBETH’ FLIES TO FRANCE
Paramount Global Content Distribution has licensed the highly anticipated CBS Studios series “Elsbeth” to TF1 in France.
Starring Emmy Award winner Carrie Preston, “Elsbeth” is based on the popular character of Elsbeth Tascioni, the astute but unconventional attorney featured in “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight.” “The series has been highly sought after in the French territory and this agreement will provide TF1 viewers exclusive access to the series in the market,” Paramount Global Content Distribution said.
The new series finds Elsbeth in New York City tackling a new investigative role and working alongside the NYPD after leaving her successful legal career in Chicago.
“TF1 is delighted to welcome this new series, driven by the talent of the amazing Carrie Preston,” said Sophie Leveaux, TFI’s artistic director of acquisitions and international drama development, noting that the “Good Wife” universe was adored by audiences. “‘Elsbeth’ is a series created around a strong, charismatic character, just as we like them at TF1.”
“Elsbeth” is produced by CBS Studios and executive produced by Robert and Michelle King, Liz Glotzer and Jonathan Tolins.
CW FAST FORWARD WITH FILMRISE
U.S. media group FilmRise has licensed U.S. AVOD and FAST rights to more than 1,500 hours of content to The CW’s free streaming service.
The deal consists of 429 episodes from 11 different series and four movies, including 14 seasons of Canada’s longest-running, one-hour scripted drama “Heartland,” Gordon Ramsay’s “Hell’s Kitchen” and the 1980s comedy-drama superhero series “The Greatest American Hero.” Also included is Season 13 of “Forensic Files,” consisting of 50 episodes.
“These properties have gained immense popularity across various AVOD and FAST channels on multiple platforms,” said FilmRise CEO Danny Fisher.
Other properties in the package include “The War of the Worlds,” “On Death Row,” “ReGenesis” and “Flash Gordon.”
The deal comes as The CW expands its digital and streaming services in the U.S.
SAMSUNG x BLUE ANT = FAST
Blue Ant Media has expanded its content offering on Samsung TV Plus as part of multi-year deal that includes three FAST channels and hundreds of hours of factual content across diverse genres.
The pact includes the FAST channels HauntTV, Love Pets and Homeful on Samsung’s free, ad-supported service in territories around the world, including North America, South America, Europe and Australia.
Blue Ant Media’s licensed content on Samsung TV Plus spans crime, paranormal, lifestyle and natural history.
The renovation and design-focused outlet Homeful carries exclusive streaming shows like Mike Holmes’ “Holmes on Homes” and “Mike’s Ultimate Garage.” HauntTV focuses on stories of the unexplained with such shows as “Haunted Gold Rush” and “Hotel Paranormal,” narrated by Dan Aykroyd.
Love Pets features animal programming such as “Bondi Vet,” about vets at an Australian clinic, and “Vet on the Hill,” about vet Dr. Scott Miller and his busy clinic in a small U.K. town.
“This deal combines carriage of Blue Ant Media’s channels with a multi-year content output from our distribution business and is a perfect example of the types of creative solutions and broad partnerships that we can offer,” said Mark Bishop, Blue Ant Studios’ co-president.
KILLER’S MISTAKE
Separately, Blue Ant Media is distributing Season 4 of the hit series “A Killer’s Mistake” from the U.K.’s FirstLookTV.
Set to be delivered ahead of 2024, the show features five U.K. and five U.S. homicide cases that investigators managed to crack by finding critical new pieces of evidence.
The 10-part series will premiere in the U.K. next year on the Quest Red channel as well as on Discovery+. The first two seasons of the crime series aired on Netflix and Crime & Investigation in the UK, with Warner Bros. Discovery picking up Season 3.
“A Killer’s Mistake” is currently one of 18 true-crime brands offered internationally by FirstLookTV. The company is also in late-stage negotiations on a new 52-episode medical true-Crime series for A&E Networks EMEA and distributed by Big Media.
UPSIDE DOWN FORMAT
Entertainment powerhouse Banijay has unveiled its latest format, “Upside Down,” that pits celebrity teams against each other in topsy turvy challenges while upside down.
The show promises an adrenaline-fueled experience that takes studio entertainment to new dimensions and test celebrities’ agility and teamwork as they seek to outdo their opponents in physical stunts and brain-teasing quizzes.
“This new mind-bending format offers a fresh and exhilarating take on the genre, delivering truly unmissable entertainment for a broad audience to enjoy together,” says James Townley, Banijay’s chief content officer of development.
Banijay is handling international sales for the format, which is produced by Banijay Benelux’s Dutch unit EndemolShine Nederland for RTL 4.
