RDF Rights signs first look deal with Essential Viewing Group
RDF Rights (RDFR) has signed an 18-month first look development deal with the Essential Viewing Group (Essential), a new Australian production company formed by key producers from Hilton Cordell Productions and drama production company RB Films.
As part of the deal, Essential has hired a new development producer, John Godfrey. "John has a brief to develop factual formats and series that are skewed to the international market. In return, RDFR will have a first look distribution arrangement across our entire factual slate," said Chris Hilton, Joint Managing Director of Essential and Head of Factual.
Jane Millichip, Director of Acquisitions and Development at RDFR said: "This deal marks our commitment to programme development and to establishing creative partnerships with production companies. This deal enables us to help broaden Essential's output and to tailor it to the international market."
John Godfrey is one of the most experienced and respected producers in factual television in the UK. He is best-known as Series Producer of eight series of the cult Channel 4 series Eurotrash. He was also the Series Producer on Fortean TV, Unzipped and Passengers. He moved to Australia in 2002 and recently Series Produced If Only for SBS.
Speaking about the newly merged company, Rosemary Blight, Essential's Joint Managing Director and Head of Drama said: "We are proud to have formed this Australian first: a cross genre company with direct distribution links with international market leader RDF Rights."