TV companies eye Aussie

By KARYN SCHERER

Australians could soon be watching more television series dreamed up in New Zealand, if at least two local production companies get their way.

Communicado and Touchdown Productions are both eyeing Australia, as well as other countries, as a potential market for locally developed television formats.

Their optimism follows the spectacular success of the Popstars television series, which was originally developed in New Zealand.

After producer Jonathan Dowling sold the worldwide rights to the concept to Australian company Screentime, it has since been developed in more than a dozen countries.

Screentime yesterday confirmed it was beefing up its presence in New Zealand by taking a 48 per cent stake in Communicado.

Communicado has made no secret of the fact that it has been looking for a new investor for more than a year.

The issue was brought to a head at the end of last year, when Canadian investment company Emerald Capital indicated it wanted out.

Communicado, which has struggled to reinvent itself since the departure of its founder, the late Neil Roberts, claims it is now back on track and that the link-up with Screentime will allow it to expand by pooling resources.

The issue of whether other investors will also sell their stakes remains up in the air.

The company has a clutch of high-profile shareholders, including broadcaster Paul Holmes, health chief Lester Levy, advertising doyen Mike Hutcheson and lawyer Karen Soich - some of whom are believed to have been keen to sell their stakes for some time.

Both Communicado and Screentime stressed the benefits of consolidation, although they say they will continue with separate identities in the meantime.

Communicado has recently completed two feature films, Crooked Earth and Rain.

Screentime New Zealand is best known for 5 O'Clock With Jude Dobson. The Australian company is headed by former TVNZ executive Des Monaghan and former Seven Network head Bob Campbell.

Mr Monaghan said he was optimistic a new series being developed by Communicado could be exported to Australia.

"The New Zealand industry is wonderfully inventive and creative. The problem is it lacks resources. We think that if we can help on the resources side, and help with the development and funding of projects, the opportunities then exist to take those projects to Australia and further afield."

The deal comes amid claims by some companies that the New Zealand production industry is in the doldrums.

Wellington-based programme-maker Ninox Films, which has produced top-rating shows such as Location, Location, Location and Our People, Our Centurycalled in the receivers this week, blaming insufficient funding for its woes.

Screentime has also pointed to "challenging trading conditions" in New Zealand.

However, Touchdown Productions head and one-time Communicado employee Julie Christie has little time for such complaints.

She said it was inevitable smaller companies would struggle to survive in such a small market.

Touchdown was so busy, it was having difficulty finding enough skilled staff.

"I think you'll find all the big guys here are happy," she said. "It's survival of the fittest."

She confirmed the company was also looking to expand into Australia, following interest across the Tasman in an Aussie version of Treasure Island.

"We're currently in the process of setting up an office."