29 Nov 2007 07:00
Embargoed : 0700hrs Thursday 29 November 2007
DCD Media plc ("DCD Media" or the "Company") New U.S. contract gains for September Films
DCD Media plc, producer and distributor of high quality factual, entertainment, drama, music and arts programming for television, DVD, and new media, announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, September Films (`September'), has won two new television commissions totalling in excess of US$6 million.
Bridezillas (Series 5)
Women's Entertainment (`WE tv'), the American cable television channel, has signed an agreement for 22 further 60 minute episodes of its popular television series Bridezillas, which September will produce out of its LA office at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood.
Filming will take place between December and May with the series due to be transmitted from June 2008.
The weekly reality show tells the stories of would-be brides as they plan the wedding of their dreams . The rising worldwide popularity of the show, which was created in 2002 by September's Chairman David Green, has brought the term 'bridezilla' into mainstream pop culture as an expression for those women who go from engaged to enraged until the big day arrives.
These 22 new episodes will bring the franchise up to 78 hours - all to be distributed by NBDtv, DCD's in-house distribution division, thus generating further revenues for the group. The first 56 hours have so far sold to over 50 countries and makes `Bridezillas' September's biggest selling international brand.
Episode 2 of season 4,which chronicled a bride jilted at the altar, and aired earlier this year on June 24th,was the all-time highest rated WE tv original telecast in the network's history.
`The Lost Ark of the Covenant'
The second contract is for a one-off two-hour, feature-length documentary and has been signed with The History Channel U.S .
`The Lost Ark of the Covenant', which is to air in early 2008, will feature Professor Tudor Parfitt's journey to retrace a path of the lost Ark in 1200BC. The detective story will record his global quest through England, France, Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen and South Africa as he explores each and every clue along the path to ultimately discovering the mystery location and country of what he believes is The Lost Ark of The Covenant.
Channel 4 has bought the UK rights to simultaneously air a 90-minute version.
DCD Media Chief Executive, Chris Hunt, said:
"We are delighted to announce two new commissions from the recently acquired September Films, which are incremental to expectations and illustrate both our commitment to expand into all non-fiction genres and formats and in so doing increase shareholder value.
He added:
"The women's channel commission represents September's biggest order to date and is the network's all-time highest rated series."
For further information please contact,
Chris Hunt, Chief ExecutiveDCD Media plcTel. 020 7297 8000John BickHansard GroupTel. 020 7245 1100Notes:About September Films
September Films - a wholly-owned division of DCD Media and leading UK independent television company with offices in London and Los Angeles - was founded in 1992 by feature film director David Green and has since produced over 1,000 hours of primetime television during the last 15 years.
September was acquired by DCD on 7th August 2007.
Its portfolio of popular programming includes: Hollywood Lives and Generation Xcess for ITV; Beauty & The Geek for C4/E4; Boys joined at the Head and Stephen Wiltshire: The Human Camera for FIVE, The Duchess for HGTV (US) and Bridezillas for WE (US).
Previously, House of America, won 4 Welsh BAFTAs and 2 prizes at the Stockholm International Film Festival, and its second feature film, Solomon & Gaenor, was nominated for a Hollywood Oscar.
About Tudor Parfitt
Tudor Parfitt is Professor of Modern Jewish Studies at London's prestigious School of Oriental and African Studies.
-ENDS -
DCD MEDIA PLC