PASSION DISTRIBUTION DRIVES PROGRAMMING INTO LATIN AMERICA
16th January 2014 - Ahead of NATPE Miami, Passion Distribution is pleased to announce a number of large deals into Latin America. The international TV distribution company, which has offices in both London and New York, has placed over 160 hours of programing into the region in the last quarter, as well as securing further production for its hit format WORST DRIVER.
TV Globo, the world-renowned Brazilian television network, has added 6 episodes to the second season of its successful local version of WORST DRIVER, meaning that Season 2 will be long running, totalling 14 episodes. TV Globo first produced the Passion format in 2012, naming the show RUIM DE RODA (Bad at the Wheel). WORST DRIVER, is the hilarious search for the country’s most appalling driver with the contestants competing in a series of driving challenges. Originally produced for Channel 5 in the UK, the timeless format comes from Mentorn Media and has so far been produced in 17 territories.
In Brazil, Passion has also concluded a large package deal of finished programming with Globosat. The multichannel operator has picked up the U.S. version of DREAM SCHOOL (6 x 60’) which was produced for Sundance Channel, the Christopher Tavlarides and Jimmy Lynn produced feature documentary THE GOOD SON (1 x 60’) and Firelight Productions’ SUBMARINE PATROL (3 x 60’). Globosat has also picked up a number of shows which were produced for The Weather Channel in the U.S., whom Passion has an exclusive distribution agreement with. These include DEADLIEST SPACE WEATHER (7 x 30’), SECRETS OF THE EARTH (9 x 30’) and Pioneer Productions’ STRANGEST WEATHER ON EARTH (12 x 30’). Brazilian channel Radio e Televisao Record has acquired the free TV rights to the first three seasons of DYNAMO: MAGICIAN IMPOSSIBLE (Season 1-3: 12 x 60’) which was originally produced for UKTV’s channel Watch and is now currently airing on BBC One in the UK.
Televisa Networks, Mexico has agreed terms to extend its output deal with Passion. In the last three years, Passion has licenced over 360 hours of lifestyle content to the network through the output deal and will continue to supply them with a large amount of new content from its ever expanding catalogue.
On a pan level Chello Latin America has picked up over 85 hours of content from Passion. Chello has licenced two shows from Passion’s Scripps Networks International catalogue, LIVING ABROAD (13 x 30’) and INTERNATIONAL OPEN HOUSE (8 x 30’) and DELIVER ME (10 x 60’) from the distributor’s OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network catalogue of shows. The broadcaster has also picked the Daisybeck produced shocking reality series TOO FAT FOR 15 (Season 1: 8 x 60’ & Season 2: 19 x 60’), Hotbed Media’s GARDEN E.R. (8 x 30’), ThreeBall Productions’ DAD CAMP (9 x 60’) and Season 5 of Reef Televisions’ popular travel and antique competition series SUN SEA & BARGAIN SPOTTING (Season 5: 25 x 60’). For its feed into Latam, Sundance Channel has picked up the behind-the-scenes, celebrity filled series THE WRITERS’ ROOM (6 x 30’) and THE MORTIFIED SESSIONS (Season 1: 10 x 30’ & Season 2: 6 x 30’), both produced for Sundance Channel in the U.S. Discovery Networks has also picked up a host of new shows for its pan feed, totalling over 45 hours of content.
Sales manager for the region Beatrice Rossmanith said “Recent months have seen significant growth in Brazil, which we are particularly excited about. There are great prospects in the territory both for tape sales and formats, but the entire region is continuing to be a buoyant market. We’re bringing a host of new shows and new formats to NATPE making this our most diverse slate since we started attending the market. ”
About Passion Distribution
Passion Distribution was officially launched by its founder and CEO, Sally Miles, in 2008. In November 2012, Passion Distribution became part of the Tinopolis Group merging with Mentorn International and increasing the catalogue to over 8,000 hours.
London based Passion Distribution now specialises in popular quality programming and formats in genres including Factual Entertainment, Reality, Documentaries, Lifestyle, Drama, Comedy and Game-shows. Passion Distribution has exclusive distribution agreements with many US broadcasters and production companies including Scripps Networks International, Sundance Channel, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, The Weather Channel and World of Wonder and also benefits from the relationship with all Tinopolis Group companies including Firecracker Films, Mentorn Media, A Smith & Co. Productions, Daybreak Pictures and Pioneer Productions.
The company is active in pre-selling, finding co-pro partners and deficit funding third party content.
