Audioboom Grp. Regulatory News (BOOM)

16 Apr 2009 07:00



Date: 16 April 2009

On behalf of: Boomerang Plus plc ('Boomerang' or 'the Group') 

Embargoed until: 0700hrs

Boomerang Plus plc 

Commissions / Re-commissions

Boomerang Plus plc (AIM: BOOM.L), a multi-genre, independent television production group operating within the Nations and Regions, is pleased to announce that it has won a succession of new commissions and re-commissions from S4C, the Welsh-language television broadcaster, to produce a number of children's and other multi-genre programmes for production during 2009. These are significant for the Group and are expected to contribute over £3.5 million of revenues for the years ending 31 May 2009 and 2010.

Children's

Ranked as the top children's producer by volume in the recent Broadcast survey, the Group announces a strong slate of new children's productions for S4C.

Boomerang's Children's department, led by Executive Producer, Angharad Garlick, has been commissioned to produce Ty Cyw, a Welsh language, pre-school series covering colours, shapes, seasons, music, time and letter themes through a combination of live action and animation. The series will include 26 x 15 minute episodes and has been produced by the same team at Boomerang that created ABC, Royal Television Society's Children's Programme Award winner for 2009.

Fflic, Boomerang's producer of lifestyle and children's programming, led by Gwenda Griffith, has been commissioned to produce five children's series for S4C in 2009:

The second series of Yn yr Ardd (In the Garden) is about to begin its pre-production period. This innovative pre-school, Virtual Reality, puppet show set in a beautiful garden, introduces green issues and healthy living to the younger audience as they follow the adventures of Gwilym the Gardener and his furry friends who all live in the garden together.

The second series of Heini (Fit) is a pre-school series that encourages the under seven's to keep fit. It is fronted by Heini, an energetic and lovable singing aerobics teacher who teaches a number of exercise routines in various outdoor locations.

The second series of Y Garej (The Garage), aimed at an 11+ audience, features various cars, vehicles, gadgets, and gismos. These are filmed both on location and in the studio. The series is presented by Alun Williams and Hannah Daniel.

The filming of a brand new series, Ant ac Al ar y ffordd (Ant and Al on the road), will commence at the end of April. The travel show, aimed at an 11+ audience, follows intrepid presenter Alun Williams and chef Anthony Evans as they travel the globe, seeking out unusual and traditional foods whilst savouring some local pastimes and activities including surfing, fishing, camping and cooking. 

Fflic is also commencing production in late summer of SALON, a studio-based series about style and fashion aimed at an 11+ audience. The presenter Alex Jones, along with her team of stylists, make-up artists etc., will give young people make-overs as well as offering fashion tips, advice and inspiration.

Music /Youth

Boomerang has been re-commissioned to produce award-winning late night series, Bandit, a music and magazine show highlighting the best of Welsh pop and rock groups. The series will include 4 x 60 minute one-off specials to be shown throughout the year on S4C. 

Boomerang has also been re-commissioned to produce the second series of Nodyn, a 16 x 30 minute music show, presented by Elin Fflur, showcasing the best of the current Welsh music scene.

Both series are executive produced and directed by Gruffydd Davies.

Entertainment

Boomerang's Entertainment department, led by Executive Producer and Director Ronw Protheroe, has also been re-commissioned to produce the second series of 0 ond 1, a 10 x 60 minute travel quiz show for S4C where 12 contestants battle it out for a chance to compete against an ex Pat to win an experience of a lifetime.

Huw Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Boomerang Plus, commented:

"We are delighted with this new slate of multi-genre commissions and re-commissions for 2009. This demonstrates our diverse genre offering as well as highlighting the strength of our award-winning Children's department."

- Ends -

For further information, please contact:

Notes to Editors: 

The Group, founded in 1994, has extensive experience in producing content in a variety of genres, including youth programming, music, entertainment, children's programming, extreme sports and drama

The Group has good revenue visibility as a high proportion of its budgeted revenue is contracted with broadcasters 

The market for independent television production companies in the Nations and Regions has grown following quotas from the regulator Ofcom, which require that, depending on the broadcaster, between 10 per cent. and 50 per cent. of qualifying programming hours must be sourced from outside the M25 boundary

Boomerang is ranked in the top five independent television production companies, by revenue, in the Nations and Regions according to the Broadcast Survey (Nations and Regions) 2007.

The Board's strategy is both to achieve strong organic growth by leveraging the Group's existing customer base coupled with strategic acquisitions, with a view to becoming a major supplier to UK networks looking to satisfy their Nations and Regions quotas

Boomerang is well placed to participate in the consolidation of the sector. Target companies which meet the acquisition criteria will have a strong track record, which will assist the Group to grow further, outside Wales