FREMANTLEMEDIA INTERNATIONAL TO PARTNER WITH AOL AS GLOBAL DISTRIBUTOR FOR "CONNECTED," AOL'S FIRST LONG-FORM SERIES
Burbank, January 20, 2015 - FremantleMedia International (FMI) today announced the company's partnership with AOL to bring their first long-form video series to the international market. Connected (10 x 30'), an adaptation of an original Israeli factual series that will be set in New York City, is expected to premiere in the U.S in March 2015 on the AOL On Network. FMI will serve as the global distributor, creating a bolder presence for AOL in international markets. The company will be responsible for the distribution of the show outside of the U.S., with AOL Canada maintaining an exclusive premiere window across Canada.
"FremantleMedia International continues to be a leader in global content distribution, with an expertise in taking first run digital content to the linear world. When it comes to quality programming, the medium is irrelevant as we see best in class storytelling coming from a variety of sources," said Hayley Dickson, Vice President, Acquisitions and Development, Global Content, FMI. "We have a strong content partnership with AOL and are excited to bring their first long-form series to the worldwide market."
"AOL is a global leader in video and our Originals have always focused on stories that connect us as people and highlight the remarkable that exists in all of our lives. For that reason, we are excited to bring our first long-form video series to the international marketplace in partnership with FremantleMedia International," said Nate Hayden, Vice President of AOL Originals and Branded Entertainment. "It is an exciting time to be a content creator, and we are thrilled to share the unique voice of Connected with a worldwide audience."
Connected chronicles the lives of five seemingly disconnected New Yorkers as they explore the concept of family in New York City. As six parallel stories unfold and eventually come together in a cohesive storyline, viewers will be reminded of the universal bond that family has on individuals and on society as a whole - regardless of social status, income, gender, marital status or sexual orientation.
Connected was originally created and launched in Israel in 2009. It is one of the country's highest-rated cable TV series ever and has been sold to 11 markets including France, Ireland, Holland, India, Finland, Denmark, Norway, Ukraine, Estonia, Romania and the Netherlands.
Connected will be produced for AOL by the Israeli production company, Koda Communications, in association with Warrior Poets. AOL has launched nearly 50 original series since 2011.
For further information on FMI as the global distributor of Connected, please plan to attend today's NATPE session, "Game Changers: From Digital to Beyond: How Unexpected Partnerships are Taking Digital To New Realms", where FMI VP of Acquisitions and Development, Global Content, Hayley Dickson will be a featured panelist.
Visit FremantleMedia at NATPE 2015 at Fontainebleau Resort in Miami, Tresor Tower 2, Suites 2601-2604, from January 20 - 22.
ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia is one of the largest creators, producers and distributors of television brands in the world. It is responsible for many of the world's highest rated prime time entertainment, drama, serial drama, factual entertainment and kids & family programming, with capabilities that extend from content creation to licensing, digital and branded entertainment, gaming and home entertainment. The FremantleMedia Group (which includes FremantleMedia International, FremantleMedia Digital & Branded Entertainment, FremantleMedia Kids & Family Entertainment, FremantleMedia North America, UFA, FremantleMedia UK, FremantleMedia Australia, Ludia, @radical.media and Original Productions, among others) has an outstanding global network with operations in 28 countries, creating over 8,500 hours of programming a year, rolling out more than 60 formats and airing 400 programmes a year worldwide. The company also distributes more than 20,000 hours of content in over 200 territories. FremantleMedia has some of the world's most famous and long running formats in its catalogue, and globally produces such programmes as: Idols, Got Talent (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), The X Factor (co-produced with Syco in the UK and the US), Take Me Out, Hole In The Wall, Family Feud, The Price is Right, Farmer Wants A Wife, Through the Keyhole Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeite, Wentworth, Neighbours, Generation War, Salatut Elamat, Grand Designs, Project Runway, Tree Fu Tom and Strange Hill High. FremantleMedia is part of RTL Group, the leading European entertainment network, which is in turn 75.1 percent owned by the international media company Bertelsmann. www.fremantlemedia.com
About FremantleMedia International
FremantleMedia International (FMI) is the global distribution division of FremantleMedia, one of the leading creators, producers and distributors of television entertainment brands in the world.
The division is responsible for global sales across Linear Television, Digital and Home Entertainment platforms of finished content, format sales in non-production territories as well as acquiring and developing new programmes for the international market. In addition to the world-class FremantleMedia production families around the globe, FMI works with the highest calibre creative talent, producers, channels, licensees and studios to create, finance and distribute the best content in the business.
FMI's catalogue contains more than 20,000 hours of content; a diverse and exciting range of programming spanning drama, comedy, factual, lifestyle and entertainment. Managed by a powerful distribution network spanning nine international offices and supported by a best-in-class brand management team, FMI's content has sold to more than 150 countries around the world. For more information please visit www.fremantlemedia.com.
About AOL
AOL (NYSE: AOL) is a media technology company with a mission to simplify the internet for consumers and creators by unleashing the world's best builders of culture and code. As the 4th largest online property in the U.S., with more than 200 million monthly consumers of its premium brands, AOL is at the center of disruption of how content is being produced, distributed, consumed and monetized by connecting publishers with advertisers on its global, programmatic content and advertising platforms. AOL's opportunity lies in shaping the future of the digitally connected world for decades to come. Follow us on twitter @AOL_Inc.
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