News
| Mon Jun 11, 2007 Program Partners Clears Shaftesbury Films' Regenesis In Over 75% Of U.S. | |
| Acclaimed HDTV Procedural Sold in 30 of the Top 40 BANFF, ALBERTA - June 11, 2007 - Adding a new series to its growing portfolio of Canadian success stories in U.S. syndication, Program Partners has secured over 75% clearance for Shaftesbury Films' ReGenesis, an award-winning procedural drama shot entirely in high-definition (HD). The series will launch in weekly barter syndication in fall 2007. Clearances include stations from the ABC, Belo, CBS, Granite, Fox, Hearst, Landmark, Lin, Tribune and Young groups. ReGenesis is set to become the first complete, original HDTV series offered for weekend syndication. ReGenesis is Shaftesbury Films' highly-acclaimed procedural drama about NorBAC (North American Biotechnology Advisory Commission), the special operations team headed by the brilliant but unpredictable Molecular Biologist Dr. David Sandström (Peter Outerbridge) and supported by a cast of forensic specialists and CIA operatives. Sandström and NORBAC battle dangerous and threatening cases involving deadly new strains of disease, mutant bacterium and bio-terrorism that, if left unsolved, could wreak havoc on a global scale. NorBAC may be all that stands between the public and rapid devastation. "Timely storylines and award-winning production values make ReGenesis unlike anything else on television today," said Program Partners' Principal, Josh Raphaelson. "Viewers will find this series provocative and irresistible." "ReGenesis has struck a chord with audiences around the world," said Christina Jennings, Creator and Executive Producer of ReGenesis. "With very real global threats at our doorstep, there is clearly an appetite for a uniquely styled drama like this one." ReGenesis is the only new original first-run, weekend hour to be made available in syndication for fall 2007. Program Partners is marketing ReGenesis along with 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. ReGenesis also represents one of the first dramas to feature full media convergence and was recently awarded with the 2007 International Emmy in the Interactive Program category and the 2006 Gemini Award for Best Cross Platform Project. Visitors to the website (www.regenesistv.com) can tour the NorBAC laboratory, partake in the laboratory's problem solving and get insight into each episode's health and science issues by getting the "FACTS BEHIND THE FICTION" where episodic drama is analyzed by leading scientists compliments of the highly respected Ontario Genomics Institute (OGI) Viewers can also access exclusive weekly podcasts that include each episode's music, with commentary from the series' music supervisor. ReGenesis is produced by Shaftesbury Films for Movie Central and The Movie Network, with the participation of Canwest Global Network, Showcase, the Canadian Television Fund, Rogers Cable Network Fund, the Independent Production fund and the Bell New Media Fund. The series is distributed worldwide by Oasis International and Shaftesbury Sales Company. About Shaftesbury Films Founded in 1987, Shaftesbury Films has established a reputation as one of Canada's leading producers of high quality television and film. Recent productions include The Robber Bride (a co-production with Working Title Television) for CBC Television, Oxygen in the U.S. and NBC Universal; the highly-rated TV movies Eight Days to Live and In God's Country for CTV, both featuring Kelly Rowan; and season two of the half-hour comedy series The Jane Show for Global Television. Season three of the science drama ReGenesis is currently airing on The Movie Network and Movie Central and the ReGenesis II Extended Reality Game, an online companion to season two, recently won an International Interactive Emmy Award. Shaftesbury Films also produces a variety of kids programming, including the International Emmy Award-winning series Dark Oracle; Daytime Emmy Award-nominated series Strange Days at Blake Holsey High; and the highly successful kids series Life with Derek (Family Channel in Canada and Disney Channel in U.S.). Shaftesbury's large format division, SK Films, released the multi-award winning box-office success Bugs! (IMAX 3D). Visit the Shaftesbury website at www.shaftesbury.org. Oasis International is a leading international film and television distribution company headquartered in Toronto with an office in Los Angeles. Visit www.oasisinternational.com. 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 worldwide 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, its unique focus on global, high-value territories for distribution, and 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 | |
