Monday round-up: Latest news, deals & hires

Lionsgate Play & SBS among ITVS deals

ITV Studios has struck numerous deals for its scripted shows in APAC, with Australian free-to-air broadcaster SBS taking Mammoth Screen’s ITV series Code of Silence, which has just been renewed for a second season.

Fellow Aussie operator Seven picked up the second series of The Marlow Murder Club from Monumental Television for UKTV, while Lionsgate Play in India has acquired a package including Code of Silence, Four Years Later (Easy Tiger Productions), The Suspect (World Productions), and Erotic Stories (Lingo Pictures).

In Japan, Mystery Channel has signed a multi-title deal that includes the debut season of Big Talk’s Ludwig, The Marlow Murder Club S2 and Grace S5, while New Zealand’s TVNZ has acquired Code of Silence, Ludwig S2 and Piglets S2.

TV Azteca moves into The Farm

Mexican broadcast giant TV Azteca has greenlit a local celebrity version of Fremantle format, The Farm.

The Farm VIP will see the celebrities tending to animals and maintaining crops across a 10-week run, with a 24/7 feed providing access to their daily lives.

TV Azteca content chief, Adrián Ortega, saif the show - known locally as La Granja VIP - fitted into his company’s strategy of “reinventing reality shows with a fresh, relatable, and fun approach that truly connects with our audience.”

Dori & Abot Hameiri’s Auction opens in Peru

Dori Media Group and Abot Hameiri’s gameshow The Auction debut this weekend on América Televisión in Peru, marking the first market to broadcast the new format.

The format, known locally as La Subasta, is owned by Abot Hameiri and Dori Media in collaboration with América Televisión, Kapow and Open Kimono. It is produced in Perú by America Estudios and pits two teams of five family members trying to acquire prizes with the highest value to reach a grand final.

Global sales are being handled by Dori Media, whose action drama Amia is set to launch on Telefe and Flow in Argentina. The eight-episode series, which stars Michael Aloni and Malena Sanchez, was inspired by the 1990’s terror attacks on the Israeli Embassy and against the Argentinian Jewish community.

It is produced by Dori Media and Yair Dori and distributed by Dori Media, making its worldwide debut in February on Israel’s Reshet 13.

BBC Studios rolls out Netherlands streamer

BBC Studios Benelux has launched BBC NL+ in the Netherlands today, a new multi-genre streaming platform that allows subscribers of KPN TV+ and NLZIET to watch a raft of shows from the BBC.

The on demand service joins BBCS’s linear channel BBC NL in the country and offers dramas such as Death in Paradise and Granite Harbour, alongside comedy, docs, soaps, entertainment, lifestyle and natural history.

Content is localised with Dutch subtitles and customers can also access a live stream of BBC NL, as well as FAST channels Top Gear and BBC Drama.

BBCS had already confirmed the pact with Dutch broadcaster KPN prior to launch, with NLZIET’s agreement being unveiled today.

House of IP launched by Viacom18 alum

Viacom18’s former chief operating officer, Raj Nayak, has launched a new IP-focused event and entertainment outfit with marketing agency YAAP Digital.

House of IP will create new ideas for domestic and global companies, working across entertainment, sports, music festivals and branded experiences.

It will work with YAAP to expand reach and engagement on social, and will also work to scale existing IP across all platforms.

Nayak left Viacom18 six years ago and subsequently set up House Of Cheer Networks, which aims to improve work and business environments.