25 Jun 2009 07:00
Embargoed: 0700hrs, 25 June 2009
DCD Media plc
("DCD" or the "Company")
DCD Wins Multiple US TV Commissions
DCD Media plc has won a raft of commissions from US Cable TV Network TLC to produce four exclusive one-off human interest documentaries. The shows, to be produced by DCD-owned September Films, are:
650 lb Virgin (1x60') follows the incredible transformation of thirty-one year old David Smith from Phoenix Arizona as he goes from a morbidly obese loner to a healthy, happy fitness instructor, losing more than 400 pounds in weight. To do this without the use of gastric bypass surgery is almost unheard of and, having achieved the seemingly impossible, David is now hoping to make up for lost time by finding himself a girlfriend for the first time in his life.
Child Frozen In Time (1x60') explores the unique case of Brooke Greenberg who, at sixteen, resembles a seven month old infant. She has not grown or aged for eleven years. Brooke's condition is so rare that doctors simply call it 'Syndrome X', and believe that if they can find the cause they may discover the secret of ageing.
Conjoined Twins: Sister Bond (1x60') tells the remarkable story of American twins Kendra and Maliyah who, born joined at the abdomen and pelvis, were successfully separated in a surgical procedure of almost unimaginable complexity. This uplifting film follows the medical journey and the family before, during and after this life-changing and groundbreaking operation, in fact the first medical intervention of its kind.
Marlie's New Face: Four Years On (1x60') - follows Marlie Casseus, the little girl from Haiti, whose heart-rending story went around the world. A hideous 16-pound growth was closing her throat and slowly killing her. Four years later Marlie is now a teenager with a new face. The revolutionary operations, which continue today, have given her back her life, and throughout this time, a courageous and inspirational Marlie has never forgotten how to laugh, and how to dance.
David Green, Chief Creative Officer and Acting CEO, DCD Media, said:
"DCD-owned September Films' outstanding reputation in the field of human interest documentaries has spread well beyond the UK, and was recently confirmed by top rating performances on major US networks. Growing our output in the North American TV markets is a key, and profitable, element of our diversification strategy and these multiple commissions further our push Stateside."
650 lb Virgin and Child Frozen In Time are being distributed by international sales company DCD Rights.
Enquiries:
David Green
Chief Creative Officer and Acting CEO DCD Media plc
Tel. 020 7297 8000
Ben Simons
M: Communications
Tel. 020 7153 1540
Tom Price or Jeremy Ellis
Evolution Securities
Tel. 020 7071 4300
Notes to Editors:
China's Elephant Man was the highest rated documentary of 2009 on National Geographic and the second highest rated documentary on C4 in 2008 (UK title: I Am The Elephant Man)
The Pregnant Man was the highest rated documentary on Discovery Health US in 2008.
About DCD Media:
DCD Media plc is one of the UK's 'super-indies', a large group of production and distribution companies specialising in factual, entertainment, drama, music and arts programming for TV, DVD and new media markets. DCD Media comprises a number of high profile content producers - Box TV, a drama specialist; music and staged event specialist Done and Dusted; factual and lifestyle producer Prospect Pictures; primetime factual entertainment, reality, formats and documentaries producer September Films; documentary specialist West Park Pictures, recently established Scottish production company, Matchlight, a joint venture with some of Scotland's leading programme makers; and West Park West, a new Dublin-based producer and developer of documentaries and factual programming.
The group also comprises international distributor DCD Rights, the international video download site and DVD label Digital Classics; and publishing and merchandising division DCD Publishing. For further details see www.dcdmedia.co.uk
About September Films, a division of DCD Media
DCD-owned September Films is a leading UK independent television and film production company with offices in London and Los Angeles. It was founded in 1992 by feature film director David Green, who devised the groundbreaking Hollywood Women series that launched the company, and September's current flagship show Bridezillas. Having produced over 1,000 hours of primetime television during the last 16 years, September is an established specialist in factual entertainment, documentaries and features, reality programming and entertainment formats on both sides of the Atlantic. Programming for September Films is distributed by DCD Rights. For further details see www.septemberfilms.com