E1 Entertainment and Universal Networks International announce major partnership on Stephen King's 'HAVEN'
06 October 2009
E1 Entertainment provides first content deal to support Universal Networks International’s revitalized channel portfolio launch
MIPCOM Cannes, France - 6 October 2009 – Universal Networks International, the global channels division of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies joined with leading independent studio, E1 Entertainment today to announce their first ever partnership to co-finance Haven, a 13 x one-hour suspenseful television series based on Stephen King’s novella “The Colorado Kid.”
The series is expected to begin production by first quarter 2010 and due to air by fall 2010. E1 Entertainment will produce and handle the worldwide distribution rights to the one-hour series with Universal Networks International acquiring exclusive Pay TV broadcast rights for the world excluding Canada, US and Scandinavia.
Universal Networks International is one of the world’s premier entertainment networks, delivering quality content and compelling brands to global audiences. The division is a key part of NBC Universal’s international expansion plan to more than double non-US revenues by 2011, with Universal Networks International set to grow to around 100 channels in the next 2 years.
The deal follows Universal Networks International’s launch at MIPCOM of a revitalized and connected portfolio of five core channel brands with a commitment to further invest in branding and content as part of its ongoing international growth strategy. This is the first major content announcement in the drive to deliver more original and first-run programming to complement their reinvigorated channel propositions.
Roma Khanna, President, Universal Networks International & Digital Initiatives, said, “We are very excited to be working with world class talent such as Stephen King on Haven in our first major content partnership with E1 Entertainment. This tremendous project signals our investment in more top quality content for our newly revitalized channel portfolio in our drive to deliver an enhanced range of high profile, first-run content offerings for our affiliates and great entertainment for our viewers around the world.”
E1 Television International’s President, Peter Emerson commented, “We couldn’t be more delighted to be in business with NBC Universal, Stephen King and the talented creative team behind Haven. This is a terrific pilot script that is smart and thrilling and filled with fascinating characters. In an entertainment climate that’s all about the supernatural, Haven has the right ingredients to make it a worldwide hit.”
Martin Irusta, SVP, Programming & Acquisitions, Universal Networks International added, “We are pleased to be working in close partnership with a prestigious independent studio such as E1. We hope this is the first of many successful content alliances in our focus to invest in more original productions for our network brands.”
Haven is the quintessential Stephen King town. Deep in the heart of Maine, Haven is a place where the cursed have gathered for generations to lead normal lives. Only now those curses have started to come back. Enter FBI agent Audrey Parker. Each week, her investigations will try to keep these supernatural forces at bay as she slowly unravels the many mysteries of Haven – including her own roots to this extraordinary place.
The impressive creative team behind Haven includes Scott Shepherd (Tru Calling, The Dead Zone) serving as showrunner and is joined by his partners Executive Producers Lloyd Segan and Shawn Piller (The Dead Zone, Wildfire, Greek) and E1 Entertainment’s John Morayniss (Hung, The Bridge) and Noreen Halpern (Hung, The Best Years). The pilot is written by Sam Ernst (Shrek the Third, The Dead Zone) and Jim Dunn (Shrek the Third, The Dead Zone) who will also serve as executive producers on the series. Adam Fratto (Greek, Bickford Shmeckler’s Cool Ideas) will serve as co-executive producer.
E1 is building worldwide recognition as one of the industry’s foremost creators, producers and international distributors of quality entertainment; Haven is an example of E1’s ability to attract an impressive roster of in-demand creative partners, top networks and specialty broadcasters. E1 continues to make significant inroads with major broadcasters in the US and around the world with high-profile series such as Hung for HBO, The Bridge for CBS and CTV and Copper for ABC and Canwest. E1 Entertainment is a fully integrated “one stop shop” for film and television including international sales, television production and direct film and television programs distribution in Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Ireland, Holland and Belgium.
For more information:
Pam Wilson Lisa Wookey
Ink Media Corporation E1 Entertainment
Tel: 818 655 6010 Cell: 310 849 7303 Tel: 416 646 2400 x 326
pam.wilson@inkmediacorp.com lwookey@e1ent.com
At MIPCOM:
Denise Bassett, NBC Universal Mary Powers, Mpowers Communications
Denise.bassett@nbcuni.com mpowers@mpowers.ca
Tel: +44 207 307 6639 Tel: +1 416 277 0211
About Universal Networks International
Universal Networks International, the global channels division of NBC Universal, is one of the world’s premier entertainment networks, delivering quality content and compelling brands to over 150 million viewers in 130 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and Asia. The portfolio is spearheaded by five core channels - Syfy Universal, Diva Universal, Studio Universal, Universal Channel and 13th Street Universal - which deliver a full range of entertainment experiences to local audiences across the globe. Universal Networks also operates Movies 24, the (non-US) Hallmark Channel and an interest in the KidsCo joint venture.
Universal Networks International is part of NBC Universal; one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric and 20% owned by Vivendi.
About E1 Entertainment
E1 Entertainment (AIM: ETO) is a leading independent entertainment content owner that acquires film, television and music rights and exploits these rights in all media in more than 190 countries.
The company currently operates in Canada, the U.S., the UK, Holland and Belgium through its four primary businesses units: E1 Television, E1 Films, E1 Music and E1 Distribution. These businesses collectively represent E1’s extensive expertise in film distribution, television and music production/distribution, Kids content, Licensing and Distribution.
E1’s content library includes more than 3,700 feature films, 2,700 hours of original television programming and 15,000 music tracks.