Fox Entertainment inks development deal with Australian Foxtel Group

Fox Entertainment and Foxtel Group join forces: A new era for TV series

In a groundbreaking move, Fox Entertainment has partnered with Australia’s Foxtel Group to co-develop new TV series for both the Australian and U.S. markets. This collaboration, announced by Fox Entertainment CEO Rob Wade and Foxtel Group’s entertainment content executive director Alison Hurbert-Burns, marks a significant step in the global expansion of Fox Entertainment.

A strategic alliance for global storytelling

Under this deal, Fox Entertainment and Foxtel Group will identify and develop scripted series to co-commission. These programs will be produced in Australia by Fox Entertainment Studios, utilizing talent and crews from both Australia and the U.S. Fox Entertainment Global, the worldwide content sales unit of Fox Entertainment, will oversee the international sales of these shows.

This partnership represents the first joint deal between Fox Entertainment and Foxtel Group, which is 65% owned by News Corp. and 35% by Telstra. The collaboration aims to expand Fox Entertainment’s international footprint through innovative business models, as highlighted by Rob Wade.

“Expanding Fox Entertainment’s international footprint through innovative business models is a principal priority for us, particularly as we unfurl our recently formalized structure built on three key business operations – Fox Network, Fox Entertainment Studios, and Fox Entertainment Global,” Wade said in a statement. “Each of these divisions is designed to power our growth strategy by uniting with the best and the brightest companies and creatives around the world, and Foxtel Group is the perfect partner to help us achieve this goal.”

A new wave of content for diverse audiences

Through this deal, original content will be developed for Foxtel Group’s subscription TV platform Foxtel, as well as its streamer Binge, in Australia. Additionally, these shows will be available on third-party platforms in the U.S. and abroad. This collaboration is already bearing fruit, with Binge licensing Fox Entertainment Studios’ “Animal Control” and the animated series “Krapopolis” and “Grimsburg” from Fox Entertainment’s Bento Box.

“Investing in strategic content partnerships, like this one with Fox Entertainment, is reflective of our desire to deliver global thinking to local productions, whilst also sharing Australian stories around the world,” Hurbert-Burns said. “We’re looking to find new ways to collaborate and bring more production to our shores, to deliver Australian productions that are popular for Foxtel and Binge audiences but also deliver for international partners.”

Expanding horizons: Previous collaborations and future projects

Fox Entertainment Global has previously struck deals, including a licensing and distribution pact with Canada’s Bell Media, encompassing CTV and Crave. Fox Network, under Michael Thorn, also has a deal with U.K.-based studio Eagle Eye Drama to jointly develop a scripted series. Additionally, they are developing a drama with the working title “Dead Space” along with U.K.’s Clapperboard Studios and France’s Aux Singuliers.

Bento Box and film production company Princess Pictures are behind Princess Bento Studio, which produces animated content out of Melbourne, Australia. This includes Fox’s upcoming animated series “Universal Basic Guys” (co-produced with Sony Pictures TV), the Prime Video series “Hazbin Hotel” (co-produced with A24), and three series from writer/director/actor Michael Cusack: Adult Swim’s “Smiling Friends” and “Yolo: Silver Destiny,” and Hulu’s “Koala Man.” Bento Box also has a production services agreement with the Dublin-based animation studio Boulder Media.

Exploring the future of TV series

This partnership between Fox Entertainment and Foxtel Group is a testament to the evolving landscape of television production. By combining resources and talent from both Australia and the U.S., this collaboration promises to deliver high-quality, engaging content for audiences worldwide. As we look forward to the new series that will emerge from this partnership, it is clear that the future of TV series is bright and full of potential.

For those eager to get a glimpse of the upcoming shows, you can check out the trailers and information sheets for some of the mentioned series:

As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, collaborations like this one between Fox Entertainment and Foxtel Group will play a crucial role in shaping the future of television. The blend of global thinking and local production promises to bring fresh, innovative content to screens around the world, captivating audiences and setting new standards for the industry.