"Debriefing the President"
The Australian Pavilion, an alliance of independent content creators and distributors including ABC Commercial, Escapade Media, Fred Media and Melodie, is set to return to the Asia Television Forum (ATF) in 2024. Working across the TV production, distribution and music licensing sectors, the Pavilion collectively represents a wealth of premium content and brings significant business acumen and industry experience to the market.
With the recent commissioning downturn in the US, Australian programming has been in high demand among international buyers. Collectively, Escapade Media, Fred Media and ABC Commercial have seen sales of Australian television content rise over the past three years – and are confident that their current, strong content slates of fresh, unique programming will also resonate strongly with buyers in the Asian marketplace.
UNIQUE MODEL BUSINESS
Melodie is a music licensing solution, providing a truly international catalogue of original music for content producers all around the world. In Asia, key partnerships with factual producers, as well as clients like Singapore Airlines, Qalbox and the South China Morning Post, have ensured audiences in the region are well acquainted with their multi-award-winning music and technology solutions.
As margins increasingly get squeezed across the industry, Melodie’s innovative approach to music royalty partnerships enables production companies to turn what was once a music licensing cost into a high-growth revenue stream, driving quality and uniqueness while accessing a new revenue opportunity in a $4B royalty market. Melodie partner production companies use Melodie music in their programs, while Melodie takes care of the administration: paying partners a portion of global royalty income each year. “We work closely with our partners, ensuring the Melodie library is always fit for purpose, often acquiring new music for upcoming productions. We understand that outstanding, relevant creative must always drive decision-making in editing,” said Evan Buist, Founder and Managing Director at Melodie.
DIVERSE CONTENT
ABC Commercial returns to ATF this year boasting an exciting slate, which features content across all the genres which have traditionally performed strongly in the Asian market. Leading the drama lineup is "Ladies in Black", a new fashion-focused series exploring 1960s Sydney through the lives of resilient women; the factual slate includes Season 3 of the family favourite and ratings winner "Muster Dogs" which follows the lives of various graziers and their adorable pups, the fascinating "Megafauna" narrated by Hugh Jackman, the entertaining "Secret Science" which explores diverse areas of human biology, and the brilliantly executed "I Was Actually There". This bold new series, which provides historical insights from those who witnessed pivotal moments in history firsthand, is already making waves – including for Broadcast UK, who selected it as one of their MIPCOM 2024 ‘Hot Picks’. In the Natural History genre, ABC Commercial will bring "Living With Devils", a visually stunning exposé on Tasmania’s iconic but endangered marsupial, plus new seasons of the popular, long-running lifestyle show "Restoration Australia" round out the adult slate. For young audiences, there are new seasons of "Ready, Steady, Wiggle!", "Fizzy & Suds" and "Beep and Mort".
WORLDWIDE APPEAL
Escapade Media presenting a slate spearheaded by "Debriefing the President", a compelling political series diving into the high-stakes world of international leadership. "Follow the Rain" brings an evocative journey through challenging landscapes, while "Portobello Road" captures the charm and eccentricity of one of London’s most iconic streets. Adding a modern twist on classic mystery, "Sherlock & Daughter" delivers clever crime-solving with a dynamic duo. The powerful documentary "The Hospital in the Deep End" sheds light on healthcare challenges faced by underserved communities, and "Untamed" explores breathtaking natural environments and the fight to preserve them.
VAST SLATE
Fred Media is excited to return to ATF with a diverse slate including "Colin & Justin: Sub Zero Reno", a new co-pro series from Fred Media/Radar parent WTFN and Far Point Films which follows a design duo as they transform a derelict house into a tourist retreat in the middle of a Canadian winter. Additionally, "Budget Battlers", from North Light Productions for the Nine Network, is a makeover show that rallies communities to renovate the homes of neighbours in need – all within a week and on a tight budget. Three new children’s series will also feature. "Tales of Aluna" an animated series for Seven Network from new producer partner Three’s A Company. Additionally, two new live-action shows from Nine Network: "Actually Really Very Difficult Show" and "Earth Science Investigators" follows the antics of two amateur detectives from an alien planet who have come to Earth to investigate the human race. In animal tales, "Shark Town", from Rockpool Media, is a South African set story about the dwindling population of great white sharks. In feature documentaries, Fred/Radar are representing a co-pro documentary from WildBear Entertainment and Bursty Company with "RUNN" which tells the story of Aussie ‘bloke’ Nedd Brockmann who ventures on an unprecedented mission of running solo across the continent of Australia. "The Big Break", produced by Broken Yellow for Nine Network, features the infamous Aussie breakdancer ‘Raygun’ and her Australian breakdancing team cohorts as they pursue the Olympic dream. In travel, "Big Little Footprints", produced by Edge & Elegance Entertainment, is a travel show featuring Amber Wyatt and stuntman husband Karl as they embark on global adventures with their kids. In Australian lifestyle there are two titles from new partner AFN Fishing and Outdoors; "Charter Boat Wars" and established title "The Fishing Show."