SONY PICTURES TELEVISION INTERNATIONAL ACQUIRES
INTERNATIONAL RIGHTS TO AFTERWORLD FROM STAN ROGOW,
BRENT FRIEDMAN AND JEFF SAGANSKY’S
ELECTRIC FARM ENTERTAINMENT
Culver City, CA (February 13, 2007) – Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) has signed a landmark agreement to exclusively acquire all international television, Internet, digital sell-through, gaming and mobile rights to Afterworld, a futuristic 2.5D animated episodic property from Emmy Award® nominated producer Stan Rogow (Lizzie McGuire, All I Want for Christmas) and renowned multi-platform writer Brent Friedman (Command & Conquer: Tiberium Wars video game, Dark Skies, Mortal Kombat 2). This marks SPTI’s first-ever acquisition of a project for exploitation across all of these platforms, and involves SPTI’s distribution, international networks and digital business lines. The announcement was made today by Marie Jacobson, senior vice president, programming and production, international networks, SPTI and Keith LeGoy, executive vice president, distribution, SPTI.
As part of the agreement, SPTI will acquire 130 two-minute episodes to be distributed across TV, web and mobile outlets, creating a ubiquitous brand tailor-made for today’s multi-platform consumer. The episodes will be made available as two-minute episodes as well as 13 half-hour episodes for broadcasters.
Afterworld is about life on earth after an inexplicable global event renders technology useless and 99 percent of the population missing. The story follows the adventures of Russell Shoemaker, who wakes up in New York after this event and is compelled to walk to Seattle in the faint hope that his wife and child have survived. Russell pieces together the complex mystery behind the global event while encountering survivors rebuilding society in strange and surprising ways.
Dedicated web content will be housed on Afterworld.tv, as will archived back episodes, daily journal entries, community blogs, interactive content applications and online games. All of which will contribute to the immersive global experience that is Afterworld, SPTI’s foray into original, digital media.
Jacobson stated, “Afterworld is just the property SPTI is actively seeking out to propel our mobile and digital content efforts around the world. Stan and Brent have brought us a concept tailor-made for today’s digital consumer. It’s fresh and relevant and exactly what our global partners expect from Sony. This is an excellent opportunity for SPTI to cross-stream content across our international mobile, digital and cable outlets and an ideal multi-platform offering for global and regional sponsors.”
LeGoy added, “We are thrilled to be able to offer the opportunity to partner with broadcasters, mobile and online players, and advertisers to bring this exciting multi-platform property to the world. Afterworld offers unique flexibility in programming across television, digital, mobile and online arenas, and viewers will be drawn deeper into the Afterworld experience.”
“We are thrilled to have Sony as our partner and have great confidence in the studio’s ability to distribute the show across every potential platform,” Rogow said. “We hope this is the first of many successful ventures together.”
Friedman added, “As much as I’ve enjoyed working in all the conventional mediums, I believe we have created something that represents a new form of content – the online convergence of television and video games. Hopefully, Afterworld will not only become appointment viewing, but an immersive, interactive experience that warrants spending many hours in our digital sandbox.”
About Sony Pictures Television International
Sony Pictures Television International (SPTI) is the division of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) responsible for all television business outside of the United States. SPTI operates three complementary lines of business: 1) distribution of SPE’s feature films and television programming to television, mobile and digital content delivery outlets around the world, 2) local television production in key international markets, and 3) international television networks. In addition to being a leader in the distribution of current and classic U.S. and international films and television product worldwide, SPTI produces high profile, locally produced television in local languages. With dedicated offices in France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Miami (Latin America), the People's Republic of China, Russia, Spain and the United Kingdom, SPTI currently oversees production in nine regions of the world and is the leader in international television production among all major Hollywood studios. SPTI's worldwide television networks portfolio is a key strategy in the SPE's long-range commitment to the global marketplace, with over 40 networks in more than 130 countries reaching over 298 million viewers worldwide. SPTI is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company.
About Stan Rogow Productions
Stan Rogow Productions is one of the most innovative and dynamic production companies in television today. The company has produced some of the most successful series targeted at the youth audience, including The Disney Channel’s “Lizzie McGuire,” and Discovery/Kids’ “Darcy’s Wild Life” and “Flight 29 Down.” The long list of credits also include NBC’s “Shannon’s Deal,” the critically acclaimed show that was nominated by the Television Critics Association for the “best show of the year,” the CBS series “Middle Ages” and “South of Sunset” and the UPN series “Nowhere Man.”
About Electric Farm Entertainment
Electric Farm Entertainment is a digital studio for the development of intellectual properties across multiple platforms. The company principals are Stan Rogow, Brent Friedman and Jeff Sagansky.
Contacts:
Ron Sato
Sony Pictures Television International
+1 310 244 4687
ron_sato@spe.sony.com
Gabriella Alaimo Thomas
Sony Pictures Television International
+1 310 244-3538
Gabriella_alaimo@spe.sony.com
Europe:
Johanna Cassells
Sony Pictures Television International
+44 20 7533 1363
johanna_cassells@spe.sony.com
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