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MUMBAI:
Television format creator and distributor FremantleMedia Enterprises
(FME) has announced a multi-year representation deal for the
show Live from Abbey Road.
Following
sales to a whopping 145 territories, the international hit
show is now filming its second season and has confirmed that
leading “one-stop shop” FME will handle all rights
to both the forthcoming second and eventual third series.
In
India, the show airs on Star World. Following in the footsteps
of A-list artists featured in the first series, the second
season will profile musical greats rehearsing and performing
in the iconic London studios in unique "Live From Abbey
Road" fly-on-the-wall style. Artists confirmed to date
include Grammy-nominated Herbie Hancock, The Stereophonics,
James Blunt and US sensation Colbie Callait.
Further affirmation of the demand for the show has been demonstrated
in a deal with UK’s Channel 4 which will air series two
on Channel 4 and More4 from June 2008. US broadcaster Sundance
Channel has also snapped up the second series during production
stages.
Channel
4 head of music Neil McCallum said, "At a time when music
television is often cited as being in decline, it was great
to once again reverse the trend and in 2007 launch the first
series of Live from Abbey Road onto More4 and Channel
4's screens. Following its critical acclaim and rave reviews,
we're delighted to once again be working with the team on
what looks set to be a hugely successful second series as
we see some of the world's leading talent paying homage to
the legendary Abbey Road Studios."
Sundance
Channel EVP and GM (programming and acquisitions) Laura Michalchyshyn
said, “Music programming is enormously popular with the
Sundance Channel audience. The beauty of Live from Abbey
Road, in addition to the deep and storied history of the
studio, is that it is so well made and simply and directly
showcases the musicians at their best. This feeling of direct
connection to the music and the artists is very appealing
to our viewers."
Live
from Abbey Road producers, Michael Gleason and Peter van
Hooke said, “Channel 4, Sundance Channel and our broadcast
partners around the world completely understand the 21st-century
relationship between music and television. We, our artists
and their record labels are honoured to provide them with
the pure content which fulfils their vision.”
FME
CEO David Ellender said, “We are very pleased to announce
our representation of the Live from Abbey Road brand
going forward. The show has already enjoyed great success,
and although a tough act to follow, series two promises another
outstanding lineup of world-class talent. Revealing how music
made in this unique environment gives viewers a real insight
into the profession, there is just nothing else like this
at the moment.”
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