Among the big-ticket programs that Nine builds its schedule on are a handful of quiet achievers like Country House Hunters.
Nine announced at its 2023 Upfront that Melbourne and Los Angeles-based production outfit Abode Entertainment will deliver a third season to screen in 2023. The series is hosted by long-time Nine ratings magnet Catriona Rowntree and each instalment of the 20-episode series features a couple searching for a country retreat.
The format is overseen by Abode’s Gary Takle who runs the busy production company which also boasts other Australian and US series.
Helping grow the format is London and Sydney-based Parade Media which has sold the Australian version of the series globally and is now helping spread the format too. Also in production for 2023 is Country House Hunters New Zealand and the possibility of a North America format sale.
Parade Media’s Matthew Ashcroft and Mark Caulton
Parade Media chief executive Matthew Ashcroft and chief content officer Mark Caulton recently revealed the sale of a format to TVNZ with the first series going to air in Q1 2023.
“It’s a primetime version of the show for New Zealand and will build on the success the broadcaster has had with the Aussie version,” Parade’s Caulton told Mediaweek.
Mediaweek was meeting with the Parade team in the café at their impressive London address at Somerset House, a palace built in the 1500s that sits between The Strand and the Thames in central London and was once home to Queen Elizabeth I.
A former NZ TV executive with MediaWorks, Caulton said the Country House Hunters format offers commercial opportunities with TVNZ working with commercial partners during the commissioning process. “A similar thing has happened in Canada where Bell Media had success too with the Aussie version and we received a commission from CTV for a 20-episode season too.”
Ashcroft added that there are talks underway with other markets too, including the US. “One of the things users look at of course is success in other markets. When we make a format sale, Abode will send someone into those other markets and produce on the ground with the respective network EPs. Abode has an office in the US where they produce content for Direct TV and others.
“Other Abode programs include Million Dollar House Hunters which is in its fifth season and has recently been renewed for season six. They also have United Plates of America which is up to season four with host [and Abode CEO] Gary Tackle visiting different US cities and exploring culinary treats. For example, you don’t need to go to Japan to visit the Tokyo markets, you can just go to San Francisco.”
In the lifestyle space, Parade Media specialises in other Australian-produced content. Programs from production houses including Blink TV, Boomtown Pictures, The Full Box and others.
“We get involved in producing the content too,” said Ashcroft.
“We have helped fund shows with investment from the UK in various pre-sales,” explained Caulton.
Ashcroft: “The difference between us and a traditional distributor is that they would have just a sales team. We have a silver bullet with Mark and his network experience which lets him get involved with production with suggestions how it might be improved.
“We are able to shorten the decision-making process from a pitch to the green light.”
Some of the most exciting work Parade is doing is in the food space, said Caulton.
“We have a series called New Zealand Food Story which has been running for two seasons on TVNZ and we have done well with that outside of NZ and we think we can do more with that.” The series is made by Mahi Tahi Media.
Ashcroft continued: “We work mainly with indies and especially in the lifestyle space, but we are broadening out a little. We have a number of factual programs with indies out of the UK including a terrific show from Leeds-based Air TV called Derelict Rescue which we will launch at Mipcom.” The series is about ambitious home builders taking on the country’s most rundown abandoned buildings.
Ashcroft said that John Tarode’s Ireland is a good example of how they are working with UK indies. “It’s made by Cornelia Street Productions and it has screened on Food Network in the UK. Tourism Ireland got involved and put some money in and we did pre-sales to help get the series funded.”
Caulton: “The series has recently been delivered and it was sold to Canal+ and other deals were done across Europe and New Zealand. Australia was already on board as a pre-sale client.”
Another of Parade’s UK indie partners is Entertain Me. “They produce literally hundreds of hours in the documentary space across all genres,” said Caulton. Recent releases include titles on Olivia Newton-John, Paul McCartney and members of the Royal Family.
Ashcroft explained if something is well made on almost any subject you will find a home for it. “The challenge has always been how will you fund it. Traditional platforms are investing less so distributors are more important to fill any funding shortfall with international sales.”
See also: UK-based distributor of Australian TV on meeting market needs