Nine acquisitions target younger viewers

The Nine Network has picked up fourteen new shows as part of its new US acquisition deals including Viva Laughlin, Cashmere Mafia, Gossip Girl, Damages, Sarah Connor Chronicles and Chuck.

Australian actors including Hugh Jackman, Miranda Otto, Rose Byrne, Frances O’Connor, Alex O’Loughlin and Yvonne Strzechowski appear in the new programmes.

Of particular interest in the new purchases are the number of shows pitched to a young demographic.

One is created by Sex and the City’s Darren Star and another by The OC’s Josh Schwartz.

“All these shows are particularly friendly to the 25 to 54 year old advertising market,” said Michael Healy, Director of Programming. “Generation X and Y will get a big run with Nine next year. The strength of this product will no doubt considerably boost Nine’s audience offering.”

Other stars appearing in Nine shows include Glenn Close, Lucy Lui, Melanie Griffith, Michael Vartan and Dylan McDermott.

Press Release:

The Nine Network Australia has secured some outstanding programmes through its output deals with major international entities Warner Bros, SONY and New Regency.

Michael Healy, Director of Programming, Nine Network Australia said: “Nine is really pleased with the product offering from its output deals in the US . We are confident that shows such as Cashmere Mafia, Viva Laughlin, Damages, Chuck and Pushing Daisies, among others will hold strong appeal to the Australian market. The new shows are young and sexy, character-driven dramas that will no doubt attract additional younger demographics for the Network.

“Audiences and advertisers alike will benefit from an improved international line-up of shows on Nine. There are quite a few Australian actors in these programmes as well as international performers and it’s simply fantastic that on a world scale, Australia is so well represented.”

“The US shows that are generating significant industry buzz include Cashmere Mafia which stars Australians Frances O’Connor and Miranda Otto as well as Lucy Liu; Viva Laughlin which is produced and stars Hugh Jackman; Damages starring Glenn Close and Australian Rose Byrne and Warner Bros product Pushing Daisies, Chuck and Big Shots; as well as another show which Nine will pick up called Gossip Girl.

“All these shows are particularly friendly to the 25 to 54 year old advertising market. Generation X and Y will get a big run with Nine next year. The strength of this product will no doubt considerably boost Nine’s audience offering,” Healy added.

Not only is there strong product coming out of the US for Nine, but the Network will also air a diverse range of domestic shows with programmes such as Things To Try Before You Die, Sea Patrol, The Nation and Farmer Wants a Wife among others.

ABOUT NINE’S US SHOWS

CHUCK
Chuck is a spy thriller about a computer geek who is catapulted into a career as a secret agent. Produced by Warner Bros for NBC, Chuck stars beautiful Australian actress Yvonne Strzechowski (Headland).

PUSHING DAISIES
A young man has the power to touch dead things and bring them back to life in this blend of romance and crime procedural drama. Produced by Warner Bros for ABC, Pushing Daisies stars new-comer Lee Pace and British actress Anna Friel.

BIG SHOTS
Revolves around the lives and loves of four high powered male CEO’s who socialize at the same exclusive golf club. A one hour drama produced by Warner Bros for ABC, starring Michael Vartan and Dylan McDermott.

SARAH CONNOR CHRONICLES
A spin off from the phenomenally successful Terminator movie franchise, Sarah Connor Chronicles is a one hour show, featuring incredible special effects. Produced by Warner Bros, it will air on FOX.

MOONLIGHT (AKA TWILIGHT)
A charismatic and handsome vampire/private investigator uses his acute senses to help the living while struggling with the repercussions of immortality. Produced by Warners Bros, and airing on CBS, Moonlight stars Aussie hunk Alex O’Loughlin as the lead.

CASHMERE MAFIA
Four successful female executives in New York rely on each other as they balance their career and often tumultuous personal relationships in this smart, glamorous drama from the creator of Sex & The City’s, Darren Star. Produced by Sony, and airing on ABC, the series is filmed entirely on location in New York and stars Australians Miranda Otto and Frances O’Connor with Lucy Lui.

DAMAGES
An outstanding New York set legal drama starring Glenn Close and stunning Australian actress Rose Byrne. Damages is a one hour programme from SONY which will air on FX.

CANTERBURY’S LAW
A rebellious female defence attorney risks her career and reputation when she pushes the boundaries of the law in order to protect the wrongfully accused. Starring Julianna Margulies (ER), Canterbury ’s Law is produced by Sony for FOX.

VIVA LAUGHLIN
A free wheeling businessman risks everything when he sells his successful chain of convenience stores and tries to create the only five-star casino and resort hotel in Laughlin , Nevada , in this fun, musical mystery starring Melanie Griffith and Hugh Jackman, who is also Executive Producer. Made by Sony for CBS.

NEW AMSTERDAM
A man cursed with immortality works as a New York homicide detective as he tries to find the “love of his life”. Produced by New Regency for FOX.

GOSSIP GIRL
Based on the best selling series of young-adult novels by Cecily von Ziegesar about the extravagant and party-heavy lifestyles of privileged teenagers who live on New York ’s Upper East Side and attend elite private schools. From the creator of The OC, Josh Schwartz, Gossip Girl is produced by Warner Bros and will air on CW.

RETURN OF JEZEBEL JAMES
A single successful book editor learns that she is physically unable to conceive and asks her estranged younger sister to carry her baby for her. This sitcom produced by New Regency and will screen on FOX.

ALIENS IN AMERICA
A Pakistani Muslim teen comes to live with a family in Wisconsin as an exchange student. Produced by Warner Bros, this half hour comedy will air on CW.

BIG BANG THEORY
Science Geeks befriend a woman who is out of their league. This hilarious half hour comedy from Warner Bros will air on CBS.

2008 Show Watch

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