Indie Outline Productions has just signed a development, distribution and co-production deal with BBC Worldwide, as part of Wayne Garvie's plan to transform the international business of the BBC through strategic partnerships with key indies.
Under the terms of the substantial two and a half year deal, BBC Worldwide's Indie Unit has agreed a first look at distribution of all Outline's finished programmes. Additionally, BBC Worldwide's production offices in Los Angeles, and its in-house production teams will have first call to co-produce international versions of Outline's formats. Outline looks forward to working with BBC Worldwide's LA Production Office on Outline formats for American network TV, while the indie, which already counts TLC and other Discovery channels as core clients will continue to produce independently for these and other American cable stations.
Outline, which produces House of Tiny Tearaways, has produced a US version of the format, for DCI subsidiary TLC entitled House of Tiny Terrors. Also featuring Dr Tanya Byron, the series is scheduled for a December airing. Outline is currently in funded development for BBC, Channel 4, TLC and Discovery with a raft of new projects. December will also see tx of ITV 1 series Redgrave's Raw Recruits.
Outline Joint MD Laura Mansfield said:
"We are delighted to be starting this relationship with BBC Worldwide. Outline has grown considerably over the last few years, and we believe that this deal will help us achieve the next phase of growth in the UK and abroad. While we have enjoyed great relationships with a range of distributors, we believe that much closer collaboration like this with regular slate meetings with BBC Worldwide's Indie Unit and their international market expertise can only benefit the shows we're currently developing, and inform the shows we're yet to create. It's a fitting partner for our programmes and we're looking forward to bringing our shows to Network in tandem with BBC Worldwide's fantastic team"
Said Wayne Garvie, Director of Content & Production, BBC Worldwide,
"Outline's productions have a great track record in the UK and the rest of the world. They are a dynamic outfit, and are exactly the sort of production house that I'm keen for BBC Worldwide to team up with as part of our ongoing strategy."
Outline will continue to be represented in the US by William Morris Agency, who will collaborate with ICM and WW on strategy for Outline's US formats. The House of Tiny Tearaways will continue to be sold by RDF, but UK secondary sales will be handled by BBC Worldwide.
About Outline
Outline was set up in 1999 by Laura Mansfield and Helen Veale who are Outline's joint Managing Directors. One of the UK´s top 50 production companies, Outline has produced over 150 hours of original television for broadcasters in the UK, and worldwide including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, five, Discovery Europe, Discovery Health, UKTV History, Court TV.
Most recently produced 3 x series of House of Tiny Tearaways, Redgrave's Rowers for ITV1 and The Smiths: Hotels for Two for Discovery Travel and Living.
The House of Tiny Tearaways was recently nominated for the Digital Channel Programme Award at the 2006 RTS Awards. The show is proving a success around the globe with deal for series 1 secured in Netherlands, Israel, New Zealand, Africa -BBC Prime, Australia, Sweden, Denmark, Vitaya in Flemish Belgium. Outline Productions has agreed major deals for the sale of series 2 to Vitaya in Flemish Belgium and Denmark. In 2005, House of Tiny Tearaways was nominated for an RTS for best Design.
In 2004 Outline was nominated for a Broadcast Award and Education RTS Award for Mongrel Nation (3 x 60) - an innovative look at the history of Englishness presented by Eddie Izzard.