News
| Wed Jun 14, 2006 U.S. To Get Intelligence From Haddock Entertainment, Program Partners And Thunderbird Films | |
| Banff, Alberta --- June 13, 2006 --- Backed by critical acclaim and surging ratings, the Da Vinci's Inquest distribution team has extended its collaboration with series auteur Chris Haddock to include his latest procedural drama, Intelligence. Program Partners and Thunderbird Films announced today that they had acquired worldwide rights to the series, which is slated to launch fall 2006 on the CBC. "This is a natural outgrowth of our successful teamwork with both Haddock Entertainment and Thunderbird Films," said Ritch Colbert of Program Partners. "Considering the exceptional viewer response to Da Vinci's Inquest's outstanding production values and high performance, there is a strong demand for a follow-up property from Chris Haddock." In its debut season in U.S. syndication, Da Vinci's Inquest is already established in the top tier of all syndicated fare on weekends, with a solid 2.0 season-to-date household rating and more than 40% growth since its premiere broadcast. Intelligence, hailed by critics as "one of the smartest cop dramas in years" (Vancouver Sun), stars Ian Tracey (Da Vinci's Inquest) as Jimmy Reardon, the third generation head of a West Coast crime family who is constantly under surveillance by the police and the Organized Crime Unit. His criminal activities have bought him a comfortable life, but something in his bones tells him his luck can't hold out forever. The head of the crime unit, Mary Spalding (Klea Scott, Minority Report), and her rival officer, Ted Altman (Matt Frewer, Desperation, Max Headroom), are on a mission to bring him down. Reardon turns the tables on them when he uncovers their "super list" of informants, and a lively cat and mouse game ensues. "Intelligence has finely drawn yet unpredictable characters, street-level action and smart, suspenseful story-arcs," said Program Partners principal, Josh Raphaelson. "These are all the hallmarks of a Chris Haddock production, and the series attributes that all crime drama fans crave." "Procedural dramas have dominated network, cable and broadcast syndication ratings," said Michael Shepard, President of Thunderbird Films. "We expect Intelligence to continue the unrivaled success of the genre." Program Partners is marketing Da Vinci's Inquest, Intelligence and its Crime Watch network, featuring Cold Squad and Stone Undercover, as an outgrowth of its worldwide distribution agreement with Thunderbird Films. Da Vinci's Inquest airs weekly on over 200 television stations representing 98% of the U.S. Crime Watch has announced over 90% U.S. clearance for its September '06 launch. About Program Partners, Inc. Program Partners, Inc. is an innovative television company that collaborates with networks, sponsors and audiences on original programming. Led by a core group of entertainment executives, including founders Ritch Colbert and Josh Raphaelson, Program Partners provides distinctive programs with high production values, while fostering new creative alliances with advertisers, broadcasters and global co-production entities. For more info about Program Partners, Inc., visit www.programpartners.com. About Thunderbird Films, Inc. Vancouver-based Thunderbird Films, Inc. is recognized around the globe as a producer, distributor and financier of high quality television and films. Thunderbird Films' founding partners -- Tim Gamble and Michael Shepard -- have been responsible for internationally acclaimed scripted drama and action series, award winning theatrical features and movies-of-the-week produced for and aired on every major U.S. network as well as on major broadcast and cable outlets around the globe. Thunderbird Films' commitment to high production values and its unique focus on global, high-value territories for distribution as well as the economical benefits of its British Columbian location have distinguished the company among its competitors in the world marketplace. For more information on Thunderbird Films, visit www.thunderbirdfilms.net. # # # Media Contact: Melissa Ford/Priority Public Relations (661) 964-0333; melissa@prioritypr.net | |
