0/5

James Warburton opens up Seven for business

Producers have noticed a new interest from Seven in working with independents -and the pitches are coming in the door.

At its Upfronts this week new Seven shows included productions from Fremantle, Endemol Shine Australia, CJZ, Eureka Productions, Screentime, Stepmates Studios and Desert Collectors Australia, in a growing sign the network is expanding its partnerships with independent producers.

Despite talk of “best idea wins,” in recent years Seven has been a tough nut for producers to crack. Producing the majority of its own shows through Seven Studios enables the network to retain intellectual property rights, and attract lucrative international sales.

But Seven now has a fight on its hands after a dominant year by Nine. There is chatter that to take the fight up to Nine it needs more than it own properties.

Word is more pitches are already coming through the door.

Several key producers yesterday told TV Tonight that Warburton has signalled Seven is open for business.

Matt Deaner CEO from Screen Producers Australia said, “Seven should be congratulated with its announcements yesterday. The increased investment in quality content across a range of productions and production partners is a great move and I congratulation James and the team.

“Working with the independent sector enables content platforms to tap into a huge range and variety of creative partners, program ideas and strong existing franchises and the collaboration we will be doing with Seven to deliver great Australian content for audiences will amount in some incredible viewing.

“Bring on 2020!”

3 Responses

    1. Not really. It’s not a bad idea to let some ideas from other Australian production companies have a go on TV and see how they rate. Who knows, one of them might just come up with the next hit.

Leave a Reply