THE international marketing and sales of programmes made by STV – such as crime drama, Taggart – is to be handled by one of the world’s leading independent TV acquisition and international distribution companies, which has also agreed with the Glasgow broadcaster that it expects to help part-fund some of its productions.
Under the newly-created brand name, STV International, comprising 2,000 hours of STV programmes, DRG will be also seeking to sell abroad the likes of Rebus, Walking the Amazon and Born Fighting.
DRG takes over from Target Entertainment Group whose contract with STV had come to an end and were invited to pitch to renew it.
In a joint STV-DRG statement, Alan Clements, director of Content at STV, is quoted, as saying: “Looking ahead at 2011 and beyond, we’re delighted to announce the creation of the STV International brand and that DRG will be our exclusive representative for international distribution. As a truly independent distributor they have a proven track record for building UK-born programming into global brands. It’s that strategy for success that we will be looking to achieve across the coming years with prestigious STV Productions such as Taggart and Walking the Amazon.”
The deal will include a ‘first-look and co-development deal’, which is expected to see DRG invest in the co-development of newly-created STV and (subsidiary) Ginger Productions drama, unscripted and formatted programming ahead of a broadcast commission.
Adds Jeremy Fox, chief executive at DRG: “STV is a centre of creative excellence in Scotland and we have always admired the teams’ work, especially its dramas such as Taggart. They’ve also created a compelling slate of new programmes which we’re looking forward to help bring to air worldwide. STV International is a great example of a major TV company partnering with a truly independent distributor to create and deliver a globally recognisable business and brand.”
