10 Jul 2008 07:00
Embargoed: 0700hrs, 10 July 2008
DCD Media Plc
("DCD")
DCD Announces New TV Commission for C4
DCD Media, the independent TV production and distribution group, announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, September Films ("September"), has won the worldwide documentary rights to produce 'Pregnant Man,' for Channel 4. September beat four leading independent production firms to secure this world exclusive. DCD's fee for the commission cannot be disclosed for competitive reasons.
September will have exclusive worldwide documentary access to Thomas Beatie, the first man in the world to give birth, for the one-hour long documentary to be screened on C4. DCD-owned distributor NBDtv/DCD Media is to license the rights internationally and is presently in negotiations with international broadcasters, with sales already concluded in the US and Germany.
September has developed an outstanding reputation in the field of human documentaries, having recently produced shows for C4's Bodyshock series including 'I am the Elephant Man,' which drew 3.5 million viewers as C4's second highest rated documentary in 2008. September was also responsible for 'Boys Joined at the Head' and 'The Human Camera' for Five.
DCD Media Chief Executive, Chris Hunt, said,
"This unique event has received enormous attention and sparked ethical debate throughout the world. For a DCD-owned company to be commissioned to produce the exclusive documentary recording it, and to secure the international distribution rights, is an outstanding recognition of its credibility in the industry.
It is also a strong endorsement of DCD's ability to identify those companies which will flourish under the DCD group and grow from strength to strength."
For further information please contact,
Chris Hunt, Chief Executive
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
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; arts and entertainment producer Iambic Productions; music and staged event specialist Done and Dusted; factual and lifestyle producer Prospect Pictures; reality, documentary and entertainment formats producer September Films; documentary specialist West Park Pictures. The group also comprises its wholly owned international distributor NBD TV/DCD Media and the international video download site and DVD label Digital Classics. For further details see www.dcdmedia.co.uk <http://www.dcdmedia.co.uk/>
'Pregnant Man' In a unique event that has taken the world by storm, September Films has gained exclusive access to Thomas Beatie and his family, telling his tale of a sad childhood, transgender issues as a teenager and how he became the first man in the world to give birth. The documentary will offer a unique insight beginning with the last few emotional days leading up to the birth, through the proud hospital delivery of Thomas and Nancy's baby girl, and finally the return home after the event to see how the couple cope with their new arrival in the glare of the world's media.
The iconic picture of Thomas with facial hair and a man's flat chest above a swollen belly has sparked an ethical debate about transgender rights across the world. Thomas, formerly Tracy, a Hawaiian beauty pageant contestant, says his decision to have a child has been met with discrimination and outright derision by health care professionals -- and even his own family has questioned his actions. But, perhaps most shockingly the Beaties' unborn child has received numerous death threats.