ITV Studios Australia and fellow ITV Studios company, The Garden, have entered in to a co-development partnership to work on a number of specific programmes for Australian broadcasters.
The Garden, the UK based indie behind the award-winning shows 24 Hours in Police Custody and 24 Hours in A&E among others, will work alongside the Australian arm of parent company ITV Studios to develop several fixed rig programme ideas, with a view to going in to production in 2017.
David Mott, CEO, ITV Studios Australia, said: “The Garden’s reputation precedes them as Nick and Magnus essentially pioneered the rig show, for which there is now a considerable demand. The current Australian market is primed for such a show and this partnership will make us market leaders in a whole new genre here.”
Nick Curwin, co-CEO of The Garden, said: “Tapping into the international opportunities within the ITVS family is a great opportunity, and this creative partnership is the natural next step for us after the success of Keeping Australia Alive on the ABC. Our colleagues at ITV Studios Australia are fantastic partners and we’re looking forward to being up and running on our next commission for the Australian market very soon.”
Fellow co-CEO, Magnus Temple, added: “The fixed-rig makes it possible to show multiple stories, in fascinating detail – shining a light on the tiny details which reveal so much. Our experience shows us that this type of story-telling is universal and we are looking forward to working with David and his team on uncovering opportunities to tell the everyday but extraordinary stories from across Australia.”
The Garden’s format Keeping the Nation Alive has been made in nine countries including: Finland, Denmark, France, as well as Australia. Last month, ITV Studios Australia announced that it is producing Hell’s Kitchen for Channel Seven, with Marco Pierre White fronting the show.