Fox and Foxtel sign co-production agreement for scripts in the US and Australia

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Fox Entertainment and Australian pay-TV giant Foxtel will jointly produce scripted series under a new agreement.

The pair will jointly develop series for the US and international markets, with Fox Entertainment Global overseeing international distribution of the production. They will jointly commission the shows, which will be produced in Australia by Fox’s own studio arm, Fox Entertainment Studios, and will involve talent from both countries.

The agreement includes original content for Foxtel and its subscription streaming service Binge, which has been one of the most active international clients in recent years.

This is similar to the structure of the pact Fox has with Canadian company Bell and its streamer Crave, a deal we first told you about in October.

Fox and Foxtel have never worked on a joint project before, but the two companies are linked through the Murdoch family, which controls Fox and owns a majority stake in Foxtel through News Corp Australia. Fox shows like single-cam comedy Animal control and cartoon series Krapopolis Stream on Binge in Australia.

Fox has recently been active in the field of international co-production and is working with the British company Hat Trick Productions to revive influential British comedy series. Meet the Kumarsand Canada’s CBC about drama series Murder in a small townThe company also entered into development agreements with Walter Iuzzolino’s Eagle Eye, The serial killer’s wife Producer Clapperboard Studios and Aux Singuliers, owned by Newen Studios.

By seeking partners abroad, Fox was able to forego the vertically integrated structure of other US studios and produce high-end content at attractive prices.

“Expanding Fox Entertainment’s international presence through innovative business models is a key priority for us, particularly as we roll out our recently formalized structure based on three core business units – Fox Network, Fox Entertainment Studios and Fox Entertainment Global,” said the CEO of FOX Entertainment. “Each of these divisions is designed to drive our growth strategy by working with the best and brightest companies and creatives in the world, and Foxtel Group is the perfect partner to help us achieve this goal.”

For Foxtel, the deal comes at a time when Australian producers, networks and streamers continue to look to bring foreign producers into the country and collaborate on content that will resonate locally and internationally. Foxtel has had international success with Binge Comedy Colin from Accountingwhich was produced in co-production with CBS Studios. Irish-Australian drama Mixtapean adaptation of the novel by Jane Sanderson, was recently Binge’s first international co-production.

“Investing in strategic content partnerships such as this one with Fox Entertainment reflects our desire to bring global thinking to local productions while sharing Australian stories around the world,” said Alison Hurbert-Burns, Executive Director, Entertainment Content & Commissioner Foxtel Group. “We are looking at new ways to collaborate and bring more productions to our country to deliver Australian productions that are popular with Foxtel and Binge audiences, but also excite international partners.”