International TV market the target for STV following partnership deal

INCREASED sales to the international TV market is the target for the production arm of STV, following a partnership deal struck with a Munich-based production and distribution company.

The deal – described by STV as “a strategic international partnership, incorporating co-investment, co-development and worldwide distribution” – is with Red Arrow Entertainment Group.

Adds STV: “The multi-year deal, which involves investment from both companies, will enable STV Productions and Red Arrow Entertainment Group to work closely together to develop brand new formats for UK and international markets. Newly-created formats will then be co-produced and piloted on STV’s core channel in Scotland before being taken to the international market.”

Continues a media release issued by STV: “In conjunction with the expanded partnership, STV Productions will also continue its innovative format deal with US production company, Kinetic Content, part of the Red Arrow Entertainment Group. In 2010, STV Productions announced an exclusive agreement to license each other’s original formats in their respective countries.

“Additionally, from January 2014, Munich-based Red Arrow International will also become STV Productions’ worldwide distributors for completed programmes and formats, outside the UK.”

The release quotes STV’s director of content, Alan Clements, as saying: “We are hugely excited about the opportunities that this new agreement brings. STV Productions is an extremely ambitious content business and this partnership offers fantastic potential to build on the success of our business in an international market, while working alongside the creative and talented Red Arrow Entertainment Group team to develop brand new ideas for co-production.”

STV Productions currently works with Red Arrow Entertainment Group and Kinetic Content on Fake Reaction, a panel show produced for ITV2 in the UK currently in its second series, and previously joined forces for Perez Hilton Super Fan, a four-part series for ITV2. STV Productions is also behind Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, Antiques Road Trip, Country Show Cook Off and First Dance.

Pic: Graeme Hunter.