London, New York, NY, September 9 2010 – Fireworks International, the television and digital distribution arm of ContentFilm plc, has struck a groundbreaking deal with leading US cable programmer Rainbow Media, giving Fireworks International distribution rights to a wide range of brand new original web series.
Five innovative short-form series, produced exclusively for Rainbow Media’s entertainment brands IFC and Sundance Channel, are featured in the deal. Fireworks International’s digital division has international multiplatform rights to the titles as well as second window multiplatform rights for the US market as part of its digital programming portfolio.
Sundance Channel’s titles include Dream States, a 5 x 3 minute series where celebrities, including Will Forte ("Saturday Night Live") and Malin Ackerman ("Couples Retreat"), recount their most stirring dreams, which are then brought to life by an animator; the 12 x 3 minute science fiction action thriller The Captive, winner of a 2010 People’s Choice Webby Award for Best Original Dramatic Series and the New York Television Festival Award for Best Web Series pilot; Yung Yeti, an environmentally conscious 5 x 3 minute animated short; and 8 x 2 minute comedy series Breakfast, following two indie filmmakers as they attempt to produce a World War II epic. This content will be distributed alongside IFC’s Dead and Lonely, a 5 x 4-6 minute drama set in Los Angeles, which brings the classic vampire love story to the modern internet dating age.
Jonathan Ford, Executive Vice-President, Digital Acquisitions and Distribution at Fireworks International commented, "We are very pleased to team with Rainbow Media in what is a significant step in the continued expansion of our extensive digital portfolio. Both IFC and Sundance Channel are renowned for showcasing original programming offering something unique and different – highly sought-after attributes in digital content. The multi-platform marketplace is always hungry for exciting and exclusive titles such as these and we look forward to presenting them to our international clients."
Gregg Diller, Director of Business Development, IFC and Sundance Channel added: "These short-form series represent the type of authentic, innovative new content we champion at IFC and Sundance Channel. Positioning them within Fireworks International’s impressive digital catalogue provides the perfect opportunity to showcase them to the global marketplace."
About Fireworks International
Fireworks International is ContentFilm’s international television and digital distribution division with over 3,200 hours of high-quality and commercially appealing programming including an extensive slate of major drama series, non-fiction entertainment, kids live action comedy and drama series, TV movies, mini-series and special event programming. Recent additions include comedic drama series, REPUBLIC OF DOYLE, primetime drama series, THE BORDER and heart-warming family drama series, HEARTLAND; non-fiction primetime documentary specials HUNTING THE LOST SYMBOL and I KNOW WHAT I SAW; U.S. tween comedy THE ASSISTANTS; high definition multi-platform thriller series VALEMONT; new children’s programmes HALF MOON INVESTIGATIONS, FAMILY BIZ as well as the classic anime series, ROBOTECH; plus over 200 U.S. network mini-series and TV movies; and specials including the Annual U.S. PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS show. This new product is combined with the large and valuable Fireworks library catalogue which is complemented by a raft of formidable television shows including Gene Roddenberry’s ANDROMEDA, MUTANT X and RELIC HUNTER.
About Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media owns and operates some of the world’s most popular and award-winning entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, Sundance Channel, WE tv, Wedding Central and IFC Entertainment (IFC Center, IFC Films, IFC In Theaters, IFC Midnight and IFC Productions). Additional information about Rainbow Media’s multiplatform brands is available at www.rainbow-media.com.